Having been away from my computer for the last day I have not yet written about the passing of Cardinal Avery Dulles since first learned about it yesterday. Here is a statement by Pope Benedict.
Having learned with sadness of the death of Cardinal Avery Dulles, I offer you my heartfelt condolences, which i ask you kindly to convey to his family, his confreres in the Society of Jesus and the academic community of Fordham university. I join you in commending the late Cardinal’s noble soul to god, the father of mercies, with immense gratitude for the deep learning, serene judgment and unfailing love of the lord and his church which marked his entire priestly ministry and his long years of teaching and theological research. At the same time I pray that his convincing personal testimony to the harmony of faith and reason will continue to bear fruit for the conversion of minds and hearts and the progress of the Gospel for many years to come. To all who mourn him in the hope of the resurrection i cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I am far from any kind of expert on the late Cardinal’s writings. But I have followed him with interest over the years in regards to some articles he has written and his history of apologetics. Earlier this year I did read his book “Magisterium: Teacher and Guardian of the Faith” which I found to be quite excellent as both a beginning and intermediate discussion of the Magisterium. Besides I loved it since I am a Magisterium fanboy (wonder if those two words have ever been put together?).
I certainly do intend to go through more of his books. I have joked enough about Jesuits, but this great man and theologian will be a Jesuit that will be sorely missed.
Cardinal Sean O’Malley on Cardinal Dulles’ passing.
5 comments
If you google “Magisterium fanboy” with the quotes, this post is the only hit.
Darn it, Aaron, you beat me to it. Without the quotes, this post is at the top followed by a bunch of stuff related to The Golden Compass.
I say we start a club for Magisterium fanboys (and girls). You could make shirts and everything! Fr. Z has a cafepress shop for his wdtprs merch….
Requiescat in pace.
I’ve been thinking about Cardinal Dulles a lot these past few days. I knew him when I was a student on the campus of Catholic University. A kind, brilliant man–a Jesuit of the old school, he was not noted for his eloquent teaching style. But give him a pen and paper and could that man write. His brilliant books helped keep me Catholic and orthodox during the crazy ’80’s. He was the most brilliant theologian America has produced and his work will surely stand the test of time. Liberals wanted him but ended up being angry at him as he consistently supported the teaching of the Church. Rest in peace Your Eminence! We’ll miss you.