Correspondence: Alice McDermott, Andrew Greeley & more
it is cruel. What about innocent chil- nation [May 5]. I have but one nit to dren who die horrible deaths?...
...The recent discussions be- tween "faith and reason" endemic to Bonaventure) and present (Rahner tween (Chalcedonian) Rome and (Nesto- the intellectual life...
...in some few it is qui- For more information astated Europe...
...1-1 etly antagonistic, as is my own situa- www.tellitonthemountain.com tion in Saint Louis...
...they were the tradition which will truly consti- high school dropouts...
...ANDREW GREELEY ing that knot...
...DAVID GENTRY-AKIN work...
...But I am hopeful that it will ney Griffith, Joseph Amar, Susan Har- Nor are these "older theologians" happen, because there is so much vey, and Robin Darling Young...
...Both volumes invite us to turn our be a good one, and the rest will follow...
...might do a great deal of damage...
...This formulation is nervy...
...What interests me is how others do...
...commendation...
...To those of us lege's mission and look for ways in cent, 6 times...
...Studies like this at- Fisher suggests that I might be the est remark I have ever heard about tempt to take the mystery out of God product of the creative imaginations abortion, war, death, politics, rights, and are likely to serve our already too of James T. Farrell and Herman and belief in Christ...
...analysis that would produce results story has taken on a life of its own...
...I work with a dozen "older theolothat action, but whether the action is have used the story to validate Egan's gians," " and I know hundreds of them simple enough to allow for statistical perspective, and the way in which this through theological associations...
...ALBERT SCHORSCH, III manae vitae and they are not in the This study assumes that our un- Chicago, Ill...
...Part of a nine-person staff, this indiCatholic identity in Catholic colleges ed...
...Commonweal 30 June 2, 2000...
...Write: DELTA great thinkers, whose creativity tute "handing it on...
...for theologians...
...I hope Ruddy is not setting up a CELEBRATE LITURGY & SPIRITUALITY fect complement to the first volume of tension between being a professional COME TO Samuel Moffett's A History of Christiani- person and being a Christian, whether VERMONT'S LITURGY FESTIVAL ty in Asia (HarperSanFrancisco, 1992...
...emic time working hard in local geous...
...The MOUNTAIN the search for mutual understanding are fact is, if you want to work in a univer- t always to be preferred...
...The future health and vitality of vidual will recruit individuals and parishand universities [April 211...
...He suggests that my "forays into sure enough of the statistical enter- Catholic visual art are unsupported" prise to associate ourselves in any and cites my comments on The Ecstasy way with a study that might imply of Saint Theresa by Gianni Dagli Orti...
...vividly exemplified by contrasting exclined they were to listen and try to un- True, there are always the tensions be- amples from both past (Thomas and derstand...
...the distinctively intellectual...
...and coordinate the Campaign for helpful, though ultimately lacking...
...Theology, then, someone who has an understanding DONATIONS BEGGED for struggling needs not only learned popularizers, of that tradition from within will be Mississippi Delta mission...
...in the name of enlightenment and The only way to assure that the historical consciousness, embrace a Catholic identity of a university en- For more information visit the Web site: secularized and atomized present...
...The better Christian KILLINGTON MOUNTAIN though Gillman and Klimkeit seem more you are, the better you should be at LABOR DAY WEEKEND thorough...
...For Christopher Ruddy gauges the theonot whether God acts in the physical this inference I apologize to John logical scene very differently than I world or whether our prayers affect Egan...
...An essential aspect of such a poli- THE OFFICE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE cy will be to assure that, in seeking to of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and MinFaculty & Catholic identity hire "Catholic intellectuals," the neapolis seeks qualified individual for the Thanks for the splendid education whole spectrum of the reality of con- position of Parish Social Justice Organizissue addressing the question of temporary Catholicism is represent- er...
...Discounts and monthfortunate to have received a more which her or his teaching can incor- ly billing available for repeat advertisers...
...Mark Francis • John Gallen Christian eyes to the East...
...10 perty" that it "forge[s...
...train and organize leaders to take Catholic Identity" thoughtful and Moraga, Calif...
...McDermott's razor that, if only their parents had prayed Actually the Ecstasy displayed on the Finally (don't wince) got to the Alice harder or had more of their friends front cover and discussed in the book McDermott essay in the February 11 pray, these children would have got- is by Gianlorenzo Bernini and my disissue, and have to write to say that ten well or suffered less...
...Their work also benefits from your work-unless you are in the SEPTEMBER 1.4, 2000 some black-and-white illustrations as wrong line in the first place...
...BRIAN DOYLE love mercy, and to walk humbly with Chicago, Ill Portland, Oreg...
...educational and ecclesiastical bureauSebastian Brock, Kathleen McVey, Sid- Think of Erasmus...
...CINDY CARTER Waban, Mass...
...The second is Ruddy's Rome were even worse) in the face of tension between the demands of the equally straightforward awareness, "heretical" Christians, and how little in- academy and the needs of the church...
...cussion of it is supported by Charles while the whole piece was sharp, hon- Callahan gently explores some of Scribner's Bernini (Abrams, 1991...
...will tell you that every study will tion for Egan's point of view...
...After which is "handed on...
...But I don't think he's got the At the end of their long narrative, the churches, and many publish more in lay of the land...
...I deeply believe that April 7...
...Having been taken to task in problem of oversight vs...
...There are reasons Tell It On The Mountain in each case...
...ably nervous about the other...
...ative development...
...I have but one nit to dren who die horrible deaths...
...His the question of whether intercessory tract the unfortunate words I used in essay should be required reading for prayer changes things in the material my earlier letter [Correspondence, all bishops, at least ones in the posiorder of nature...
...seems to me, by equal insistence on Tradition, by definition, is something BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR...
...Their clocks did not stop with Huthat are meaningfully interpretable...
...But Send resume by July 1 to: Office for Socommonwealmagazine.org then, he argues that this is not a task cial justice, 328 W. Kellogg Blvd., Saint for each and every faculty member...
...He brings a refreshingly new, argues for the power of prayer in the living history is that the living have and "radical" (equals going to the physical world...
...And review of my book The Catholic Imagi- (Continued on page 29) Commonweal 4 June 2, 2000 by Greek thought forms...
...Ruddy's aim, as I this unfailingly interesting volume, it is connection to the church...
...Each side is understand- PO.Box 397, Woodstock, VT 05091-0397 Lawrence S. Cunningham teaches theology Call Toll Free (877) 863-0222 at the University of Notre Dame...
...affirmative action" to assure that sofiabmm@aol.com Which will be remembered in a hun- there is at least a critical mass of dred years...
...Three religious as Ruddy points out, but also "rab- able to negotiate the most crucial Sisters serve small rural parish, Hispanic binic" theological scientists...
...REV...
...in theology, law, medicine, history, or That earlier volume is more readable, al- the life sciences...
...Requirements inLangan argues that the "essential clude three to five years of parish socialtask which the faculty has to carry action work or community organizing, exvisit us cellent writing and public-speaking skills, out with regard to Catholic identity is to present the Catholic intellectual on the web: and knowledge of Catholic social teachtradition, and to extend it by...
...For job description, call (651) 291-4477...
...That's fine think- powerful inclination to use our rela- Melville...
...The issue, as I see it, is Hillenbrand to gain validation...
...Advance payment required...
...I found the Catholic intellectual tradition de- es into the archdiocesan social-justice netJohn Langan's article "Reforming mands it...
...dures is to develop some kind of an godtalktv.org, or call 703-379-2487...
...15 percent, 12 times...
...Paul, MN 55102, attn: Matt Gladue...
...traditional theological education, all porate an engagement with the For additional information call 212-662this makes wonderful and very en- Catholic tradition that is both critical 4200 or write COMMONWEAL, 475 Rivercouraging reading...
...I agree...
...The first is his indictlocal language and ideas to articulate The "younger theologians," Catholic ment of contemporary theology's "intheir faith...
...If you STUDY WnH well as maps, charts, and a fairly good want to be a Christian scholar, be one, Eleanor Bernstein • John Buscemi Robert Drinan • Edward Foley index...
...There is not a literate Nestorian nor Orthodox Christians who Catholic in the country who can com- Ruddy's right managed the great penetration into the plain legitimately that he or she is Two of Christopher Ruddy's points in East...
...405, New York, NY 10115...
...I noted that John Hill's ac- tion of granting or withholding a manGod acts in the world, but I fear that count of Reynold Hillenbrand [March datum...
...Even before the arrival of the Jes- starved for accessible and competent "Young Theologians" deserve special uits, many Christians in the East used theological literature...
...In some dioceses, the relation- Chant • Haugen • Taize teenth century may be partially blamed ship is forming quite nicely...
...cre- ing...
...12-word miniclesial identification and responsibili- faithful steward of a Catholic col- mum...
...In fact, if bent low under the burden of academ- more than bureaucratic self-interest at there is a single criticism to be made of ic culture to the detriment of their work in each side...
...least alienated from the church or capknowable God acts like a bad politi- tured by the culture of the academy cian...
...If group of scholars who are pursuing anyone doubts the continued intellec- Catholic studies will not assure the In Quest of the Celtic Soul tual vibrancy of these traditions, I in- Catholic identity of an institution any BRIDGET MARY MEEHAN RETURNS vite them to compare the work not more than having a religious studies to the land of her birth to give us an exonly of von Balthasar and Rahner, department on a secular campus traordinary view of the faith, myths, and but of Congar, de Lubac, Danielou, would render that campus a religious celebrations of Ireland that are part of its and Lonergan with that of those who, institution...
...action...
...Human Development...
...cracies...
...I'll tionship with God as a tool to get that the latter be replaced by Miguel never forget that slicing mind undo- what we want and not to "do justly, to de Cervantes...
...and for the trying to use a statistical study to ad- 10] had ended "with the oft-told tale senates and boards of trustees of dress the issue cannot add clarity and of John J. Egan meeting Hillenbrand Catholic universities...
...WILLIAM M. SHEA authors offer what seems to be, at least the public interest than they do for Saint Louis, Mo...
...patristic and scholastic traditions...
...The more prayers someone gets, On, Sancho...
...be dismissed as meaningless, so too debunking of any statistical study of As part of his excessive generosity, can the life of Christ"-was the pithi- the power of God...
...It will Commonweal 2 9 June 2, 2000 and von Balthasar), of the dearth I would argue that every faculty C L ASS I F I E D among today's young theologians of member-Catholic and non-Catholic deep spiritual formation and the "ec- alike-has a responsibility to be a RATES: $1.10 per word...
...True, some have rian) Copts of Alexandria are now seek- more talent and desire for public enTELL IT ON THE ing to undo that damage...
...and sympathetic...
...None appear to be caught in a deracination...
...Discounts 5 percent, 3 times...
...But none of this amounts to is a useful reminder that dialogue and a crisis in the practice of theology...
...all, theology, however spiritually Catholics and non-Catholics alike can rooted and pastorally pertinent, re- undertake study of aspects of the Benefactors Sought mains formally an affair of the mind, Catholic intellectual tradition, only fides in statu scientiae...
...sity you have to be a scholar of some JUBILEE 2000 Gillman and Klimkeit's work is a per- sort...
...e-mail Which gives life to the church...
...Any researcher worth his or her salt Hillenbrand some degree of valida- Fresno, Calif...
...DENNIS FERRARA Catholic intellectuals on our campus- Parish Social Justice Organizer Washington, D.C...
...es...
...They subsequently discov- and Protestant, that I help train, exhibit creasing captivity to the mores of the ered how rigid were the Chalcedonian nearly universally a desire to serve the academy and its concurrent ecclesial Christians (the later missionaries from church...
...Bull's-eye Study in need of prayer Christopher Ruddy ["Young TheoloIn her column, "Prayer Makes a Dif- An apology gians," April 21] hit the nail on the ference" [April 21 ],Sidney Callahan One of the dangers of commenting on head...
...though some occasionally disagree the "better" (measured on a concrete- I am very grateful to Professor James with the episcopal magisterium, nearly defined scale) the person's out- Fisher for his extravagantly generous ly always with respect and patience, come...
...While Quality subsidy publisher accepting manuscripts...
...in others A RETREAT AND REVELS EVENT on the same waves of plague that dev- it is nonexistent...
...1-800-695-9599...
...CATHOLIC MINISTRIES, Box 307, Rosefound expression in retrieving the Pace Langan, simply having a dale, MS 38769...
...To be complete, Ruddy's prophetic or even antagonistic toward, a core insistence on the spiritual and the ec- dimension of the institution's self-un- Manuscripts Wanted clesial must be complemented, it derstanding is simply not sufficient...
...As a former research strong opinions and are likely to share roots) point of view to the festering economist, I was sadly amused by the them...
...Are we pick...
...Von steps in its development and commu- farm workers, prisoners, interracial, inBalthasar and Rahner were not only nicate a love and an enthusiasm for terfaith partnerships, and tutor potential great spiritual writers...
...Of have a result...
...Somehow the Though I agree with Ruddy that the George Higgins . Nathan Mitchell world seems a smaller place when one relationship between bishops and the- Donald Neumann . Basil Pennington learns that Tibetans had contact with ologians in this country is in desper- David Power • Helen Prejean both the Nestorian Christians of Central ate need of construction, the situation Robert Rambusch Asia and the Manichaeans of Persia as we find ourselves in is a new one and Wayne Teasdale and others early as the eighth century, and that the there is responsibility enough to go CELEBRATE WITH THE Music OF Hildegard VonBingen • Mozart Gregorian decline of Asian Christianity in the four- round...
...The trick is figuring out course Egan didn't go to see a dying Ruddy's wrong what it means...
...I est, thought-provoking, and graceful, the problems I raise, but I would en- apologize to Scribner for not giving this little nugget-"If any one life can courage a more forceful and clearer him due credit...
...Some of my friends suggest ing and razor-sharp speaking...
...In fact, most understand it, is admirable and his that its bibliography contains almost of them spend much of their nonacad- willingness to chide all sides is couranothing written after the early 1980s...
...our God...
...free discuslarge "controlled" study of prayer Monsignor George Higgins's letter sion-both (one would hope) ultiCallahan implies can help us explore [Correspondence, May 5], I must re- mately in the service of truth...
...This history gagement...
...To be indifferent to, side Dr., Rm...
...in part, a cautionary tale...
...prior to his death and gaining from EDMUND F. KAL, M.D...
...It is a pity, then, CORRESPONDENCE take a lot of work to build what has that the authors of this book give no in- (Continued from page 4) not been in place historically, and dication that a good deal of Syriac liter- there is, alas, not a plethora of humiliature is available to us thanks to the fulfilling an ancient task of Catholic ty and gentleness in the leaders of our labors of such Anglophone scholars as intellectuals, whether clerical or lay...
...spiritual heritage...
...It was neither academic circles...
Vol. 127 • June 2000 • No. 11
