Sandro Magister of Chiesa on the matter of the writings of Fr. Roger Haight, S.J., and the ongoing investigation, by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, into heterodox statements within those writings:
At the Vatican, they are seriously concerned about this case. They do
not believe that it is at all confined to academic circles. Haight is a
theologian with a significant capacity for communication, he is
appreciated by the "liberal" culture extensively present in the media,
and enjoys widespread support within the Church, especially in the
Society of Jesus.
Of the last seven theologians scrutinized by the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, four are Jesuits. In addition to Haight, the others are Anthony De Mello, Jacques Dupuis, and Jon Sobrino, the last of these a leading exponent of liberation theology.
It was no surprise that one year ago, while the Society of Jesus was assembled to elect its new superior general, the Vatican authorities called its many theologians and exegetes back to greater doctrinal fidelity and a more effective "sentire cum Ecclesia."
Naturally, not all Jesuit theologians have been suspect. In order to convince Haight to correct his positions, the American province of the Society of Jesus asked for help from Jesuit Cardinal Avery Dulles, a theologian of recognized greatness and unquestionable orthodoxy, in spite of his advanced age and precarious health. Cardinal Dulles died in New York last December 12.
But it is beyond doubt that Haight's theology finds a generally hospitable atmosphere in the Society of Jesus. He lives in New York, at the residence of the Jesuits who publish "America," a leading magazine for progressive Catholicism. In March of 2008, when he was already prohibited from teaching and was about to receive new sanctions, he published in "America" an extensive overview of Catholic theology at the end of the 20th century, with the major theologians classified in seven categories, thoroughly described and evaluated. It was all to demonstrate that the future of Catholic theology depends on its capacity to represent the articles of the Creed in a form that is comprehensible to the dominant culture in the West.
Another American Catholic magazine that has come out in support of Haight is "Commonweal." In January of 2007, it published an impassioned apologia of his thought by the title "Not So Heterodox. In Defense of Roger Haight." Its author was a highly esteemed theologian, Paul Lakeland, a professor at Fairfield University in Connecticut, one of the 28 universities and colleges run by the Jesuits in the United States, and its first holder of the chair in Catholic studies named after the Jesuit theologian Aloysius P. Kelley.
Other American theologians have instead expressed severe criticism of Haight, who for several years was also president of the Catholic Theological Society of America. A couple of noteworthy critics include William Loewe, of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and John Cavadini, a professor at Notre Dame University in South Bend Indiana and a consultant for the doctrinal commission of the United States conference of Catholic bishops.
Another critic of Haight's positions is himself a Jesuit, who also teaches at a university of the Society of Jesus, the most important one in the world. He is Gerald O'Collins, a professor of systematic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, a specialist in Christology.
O'Collins made a memorable quip after news came of Haight's first condemnation: "I wouldn't give my life for Roger Haight's Jesus. It's a triumph of relevance over orthodoxy."
Of the last seven theologians scrutinized by the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, four are Jesuits. In addition to Haight, the others are Anthony De Mello, Jacques Dupuis, and Jon Sobrino, the last of these a leading exponent of liberation theology.
It was no surprise that one year ago, while the Society of Jesus was assembled to elect its new superior general, the Vatican authorities called its many theologians and exegetes back to greater doctrinal fidelity and a more effective "sentire cum Ecclesia."
Naturally, not all Jesuit theologians have been suspect. In order to convince Haight to correct his positions, the American province of the Society of Jesus asked for help from Jesuit Cardinal Avery Dulles, a theologian of recognized greatness and unquestionable orthodoxy, in spite of his advanced age and precarious health. Cardinal Dulles died in New York last December 12.
But it is beyond doubt that Haight's theology finds a generally hospitable atmosphere in the Society of Jesus. He lives in New York, at the residence of the Jesuits who publish "America," a leading magazine for progressive Catholicism. In March of 2008, when he was already prohibited from teaching and was about to receive new sanctions, he published in "America" an extensive overview of Catholic theology at the end of the 20th century, with the major theologians classified in seven categories, thoroughly described and evaluated. It was all to demonstrate that the future of Catholic theology depends on its capacity to represent the articles of the Creed in a form that is comprehensible to the dominant culture in the West.
Another American Catholic magazine that has come out in support of Haight is "Commonweal." In January of 2007, it published an impassioned apologia of his thought by the title "Not So Heterodox. In Defense of Roger Haight." Its author was a highly esteemed theologian, Paul Lakeland, a professor at Fairfield University in Connecticut, one of the 28 universities and colleges run by the Jesuits in the United States, and its first holder of the chair in Catholic studies named after the Jesuit theologian Aloysius P. Kelley.
Other American theologians have instead expressed severe criticism of Haight, who for several years was also president of the Catholic Theological Society of America. A couple of noteworthy critics include William Loewe, of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and John Cavadini, a professor at Notre Dame University in South Bend Indiana and a consultant for the doctrinal commission of the United States conference of Catholic bishops.
Another critic of Haight's positions is himself a Jesuit, who also teaches at a university of the Society of Jesus, the most important one in the world. He is Gerald O'Collins, a professor of systematic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, a specialist in Christology.
O'Collins made a memorable quip after news came of Haight's first condemnation: "I wouldn't give my life for Roger Haight's Jesus. It's a triumph of relevance over orthodoxy."
• Damning the newly departed with faint praise (Jan. 12, 2009; on Fr. Haight and Fr. Neuhaus)
Gerald o'Collins is no fundamentalist. That he says what he says of Haight's Christology speaks volumes.
Posted by: Mark Brumley | Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Is that the 'Commonweal' from within which Professor Kmiec launched his recent diatribe?
Though I live in Australia, I'm already getting a very good understanding of Professor Kmiec. I saw his recent public denunciation of Cardinal Stafford.
"By their fruits..."
Posted by: Dr John James | Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 02:03 PM
http://www.utsnyc.edu/Page.aspx?pid=1413
Memorandum
Date: January 21, 2009
To: The Union Theological Seminary Community
From: President Serene Jones
Subject: Professor Roger Haight to Become Scholar in Residence at Union
I write to inform you that beginning June 1st of 2009, Professor Roger Haight will conclude his formal teaching responsibilities and take up the position of scholar in residence at Union Theological Seminary, a move that will include a cessation of his traditional teaching responsibilities but will continue his important presence at Union as a theological mentor and scholar. As has long been the case, Union continues to appreciate the academic and community building gifts that Fr. Haight brings to Union, to theological education, and the church at work in the world today.
Serene Jones, President
Union Theological Seminary
Posted by: President Serene Jones | Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 02:01 AM