Fr. Jacques Dupuis, S.J, Fr. Roger Haight, S.J,
Fr. Anthony De Mello, S.J. .Fr. Tissa Balasuriya, OMI
Vatican denounces book, *Jesus: Symbol of
God *
American Jesuit Fr. Roger
Haight prohibited from teaching at
Weston School of Theology.
Among
the seven criticisms is that the book challenges that Christ existed as the
divine Word of God prior to his incarnation as Jesus. In addition, the book
presents Jesus as a human being who *mediated* the saving presence of God, as
opposed to being truly divine and truly human.
Dear
Sirs, 15 SEP 05
We
have been reading your page on the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/haight.htm.
In the last part, in the list of documents related to the CDF's position
regarding the writings and activities of Vassula Ryden, you have copied a link
to the official website of Mrs Ryden. In her website, Mrs Ryden affirms that
the CDF has modified it's position towards her and implies that the 1995
Notification is no longer valid. This is not true, as the Catholic Church
of Scotland has recently reminded us (http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=1898192005)
In
fact, the Ratzinger Fan Club website (http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/cdf.html),
which has the same information that you have on your page, has in
fact cancelled it's link to Mrs Ryden's page, and replaced it with the
link to the following page: www.mypage.bluewin.ch/cafarus/tligchurchposition.htm
, which contains the text of the July 2004 letter of Mons. Ratzinger, together
with the confirmation from the Swiss Bishops Conference that the CDF has not
modified it's position regarding Mrs Ryden.
Since
your homepage indicates that the site wishes to be faithful to the Holy Father
and the Magisterium, we have considered it important to inform you of the
above.
Very
warmly in Christ,
Maria
Switzerland
Vatican City, Feb. 09, 2005 (CNA) - The Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith has denounced the book ³Jesus: Symbol of God² by
American Jesuit Fr. Roger Haight as containing "grave doctrinal errors,²
reported John Allen of the National Catholic Reporter.
As a result, Fr. Haight has been prohibited from teaching
Catholic theology "until his positions have been corrected so as to be in
full conformity with the doctrine of the Church," said the notification
from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The book was reviewed in 2000, and the Congregation for
Catholic Education ordered him suspended from the Jesuit-run Weston School of
Theology in Cambridge, Mass., soon after.
Fr. Haight is currently an adjunct professor at the
non-Catholic Union Theological Seminary in New York, reported Allen.
The notification presents seven criticisms of
the book but does not say the book contains "heresy." It also does
not prevent the Jesuit from publishing.
Among the seven criticisms is that the book challenges that
Christ existed as the divine Word of God prior to his incarnation as Jesus. In
addition, the book presents Jesus as a human being who *mediated* the saving
presence of God, as opposed to being truly divine and truly human.
Allen reported that Fr. Haight has described his book as an
attempt to express traditional doctrines in a post-modern culture.
Theological Progress: An Analogy
by Dr. Jeff Mirus special to CatholicCulture.org
The revocation
of Fr. Roger Haightıs right to teach theology by the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith in February was greeted with a public statement of dismay
by the Catholic Theological Society of America. This dismay is so out of touch
with reality that it reminds me of someone who believes the forward progress of
an automobile is caused by constantly changing the scenery.
My Car is Making Funny Noises
Speaking of autombiles, the first sign of a major breakdown
is often a strange sound emanating from the engine compartment. The CDFıs
announcement, approved by the Pope and published in the February 7-8
edition of LıOsservatore Romano, identifies a high-pitched whine in Fr. Haightıs work
occasioned by deviations from the Catholic Faith concerning the Incarnation,
the Resurrection, the Person of Jesus Christ, the nature of the Trinity, the
salvific role of the Church, and the nature of Truth itself. The errors in
question are as serious as they are numerous, and as numerous as they are
obvious.
They are also old, indicating a long-standing problem.
Essentially, Fr. Haight insists that we cannot know precise information about
God, that Revelation is therefore fundamentally symbolic, and that this
symbolism must be reinterpreted in every age, particularly in our post-modern
culture, which does not relate well to previous expressions of the Christian
Faith. In other words, Fr. Haight is making exactly the same assertions that
Modernists have made for the last 150 years, assertions taken for granted by
all the various forms of religious accommodationism throughout the history of
the Church, and in fact the same assertions which have dominated the Western theological
community at least since the modern crisis of Faith struck the academy in the
1960ıs.
Revving the Engine
One wonders whether academic theologians are a particularly
tortured breed doomed to constantly reinvent Christianity in the vain hope of making
it palatable to the natural man, or if like the rest of us they are simply
tempted to win the approval of the surrounding culture by obscuring the demands
of Faith. In either case, the forward progress of mainstream academic theology
over the past generation has been virtually non-existent. The engine has been
revving well enough, but the vehicle has stayed firmly in one place. This is
what makes the expressed dismay of the Catholic Theological Society so strange.
As if to prove the point, the CTSA Board of Directors
sniffed that peer review is the method by which theological theories should be
tested and filtered. They acclaimed Fr. Haightıs constant openness to review
and gracious acceptance of criticism, in contrast to the peevish unfairness of CDF
procedures. They fear the CDFıs unwarranted intrusion into the conversation
will stifle further criticism and undermine the ability of Catholic theologians
to critique their colleagues in order to advance the theological enterprise.
Finally, they resent the CDFıs presumption in moving beyond theological
criticism to a ³negative judgment upon a theologianıs personal integrity and
responsibility² by revoking Fr. Haightıs right to teach.
But these are the same unsettling sounds we have heard every
time weıve listened to the engine for a generation or more. The erroneous
theologian is always kind and gracious; the Church is always unfair and
authoritarian. The theological profession is always self-correcting and
progressive; Church authority is always personally hostile and repressive.
Every time the Church has censured a theologian, the same script has been used
for the academic response. The engine roars, but the car doesnıt move.
Transmission Problem
Modern Catholic theologians, including Fr. Haight, have
largely forgotten the fundamental fact that their craftıs dependence on
objective Revelation is so complete as to have no meaning without it. The
Judaeo-Christian tradition is unique in claiming direct, public Revelation from
God to man, and the whole point of Revelation is to make up for the obvious
fact that man cannot figure God out on his own. All man can do on his own is
express his vague intimations of immortality through figures and symbols. In
other words, all man can do on his own is what Fr. Haight has done in the work
questioned by the Vatican, Jesus Symbol of God (1999).
Just as passengers in a car have it backwards when they
think progress toward a destination is achieved by moving the scenery, so too
are Fr. Haight and the CTSA gravely mistaken in their belief that they can make
theological progress by rearranging Revelation. To the contrary, only when the
fixed nature of Revelation is taken seriously can an intelligible examination
of the Faith take place. Moreover, it is the Churchıs Magisterium which
infallibly provides the needed connection between the mind and this fixed
supernatural scenery. The Magisterium thus performs a role analogous to the
transmission in a car. Unless it is engaged, the wheels donıt turn.
Now, consider that Fr. Haight is saying exactly what
dissident theologians were saying when I was a boy a half-century ago. Consider
that the academic/journalistic establishment is still so backward that his book
won the Catholic Press Associationıs award for the yearıs best book on theology
in 2000. Consider that the book contradicts teachings of the Church on several
key matters which were definitively settled in the fourth century (nearly 1700
years ago!). And consider that the CTSA is now rebuking the Church for nastily
interrupting the all-important progress of the ongoing discussion. Diagnosis:
The transmission has been disconnected for a long, long time.
The Church as Mechanic
In our time it may fairly be said that the Church is very
good about making the latest manuals available but reluctant to pick up the
wrench and the air gun. Still, in this case she has rolled up her sleeves,
gotten her hands dirty, and reconnected the theogicial engine with the
landscape of Revelation by reinserting the Magisterium. If the accelerator is
now depressed and the engine speed increased, the theological vehicle will
actually move. The Faith will be explained, elucidated and, well, transmitted.
This must be terrifying to men and women who have long
enjoyed the comforts of the SUV without understanding the purpose of wheels. We
must urge them to be calm and to keep the gears engaged. Yes, motion sickness
can cause dismay. But it is not the scenery that is supposed to move.
Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith
According to the Vatican website, the Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith was founded in 1542 by Pope Paul III with the Constitution "Licet
ab initio," and was originally called the Sacred Congregation of the
Universal Inquisition. It was charged with the obligation of defending the
Church from heresy.
Pope St. Pius X
in 1908 changed the name to the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office. It
received its current name in 1965 with Pope Paul VI. Today, according to
Article 48 of the Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia, "Pastor
Bonus", promulgated by the Holy Father John Paul II on June 28, 1988,
"the duty proper to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is to
promote and safeguard the doctrine on the faith and morals throughout the Catholic
world: for this reason everything which in any way touches such matter falls
within its competence."
The
congregation is now headed by Prefect Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
Selected Documents
Please Note: What follows is a list of selected statements from the
Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (such as Dominus Iesus), and a special section on specific
investigations of notable theologians. For a complete
list of documents published by the Congregation, both doctrinal, disciplinary,
and those on sacramental questions, see:
Documents on
Sacramental Questions
2004
On the
Collaboration of Men and Women in the Church and in the World May
31, 2004, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
2003
Considerations
regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual
persons. June 3, 2003, Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and his
Companions, Martyrs.
2002
Doctrinal Note on
Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life
November 24, 2002, the Solemnity of Christ the King.
2000
Note on the
Expression "Sister Churches" The proper use of the
expression "sister churches" is discussed in a note by the Vatican
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that was distributed to heads of
bishops' conferences. The note, accompanied by a letter from Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger,
prefect of the congregation, was signed June 30, 2000.
Declaration Dominus
Iesus on the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church.
August 6, 2000, the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Documents
concerning The Message of Fatima. June 26, 2000.
1998
The Primacy of the
Successor of Peter in the Mystery of the Church. Reflections of the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith dated October 30, 1998 on the
primacy of Peter's Successor in the Mystery of the Church.
Commentary on the
Concluding Formula of the 'Professio fidei'. Issued by the CDF on
June 30, 1998 to go with the Apostolic Letter Ad Tuendam Fidem (In Order to
Safeguard the Faith) released the same day. Also contains the Profession of
Faith and the Oath of Fidelity on Assuming a Church Office.
1997
Regulations for
Doctrinal Examination. une 29, 1997, the Solemnity of the Blessed
Apostles Peter and Paul.
1992
Letter to the
Bishops of the Catholic Church on some aspects of the Church understood as
Communion - Communionis notio . May 28, 1992.
1990
Instruction on the
Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian. Given at Rome on May 24, 1990,
the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.
1987
Instruction on
respect for human life in its origin and on the dignity of procreation - Donum
vitae. Given at Rome on February 22, 1987, the Feast of the
Chair of St. Peter, the Apostle.
1984
Instruction on
Certain Aspects of the "Theology of Liberation". Given at
Rome on August 6, 1984, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord.
Resources Pertaining to Specific Investigations
Occasionally Cardinal Ratzinger and the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith has had to fulfill it's sacred office of disciplining and
correcting a particular theologian who's teaching is not in line with that
proclaimed by the Catholic Church. What follows are resources (statements and
articles) relating to a few of the more noteworthy skirmishes that have made
the headlines.
Paul Collins
In the Press . . .
"Paul Collins
Resigns from Priesthood amid Vatican Probe", by John Allen. National
Catholic Reporter,
March 16, 2001.
"Collins Told
to Revise His Views", by John Allen. National Catholic
Reporter, July 16,
1999.
"Collins Views
on Papacy face Heresy Investigation", National Catholic
Reporter, February
20, 1998.
Documents Pertaining To...
Paul Collins'
Explanation of his Resignation from the Priesthood, February 1,
2001.
Letter from
Cardinal Ratzinger to Father Michael Curran, December 8, 2000.
Fr. Jacques Dupuis, S.J
In the Press...
Jacques Dupuis, SJ
1923-2004 Times Online. January 12, 2005.
Remembering Jacques
Dupuis, by John Allen, Jr. Word from Rome January 7, 2005.
"Rome sends
mixed signals on Jesuit contributions", by John Allen, Jr. National
Catholic Reporter, April
27, 2001.
"Theologian Criticized by Vatican Wrote Interreligious
Guidelines". America. April 23, 2001.
"A Matter
of Justice : Was the trial of Jacques Dupuis really necessary?", by
Ladislas Orsy. America. April 16, 2001.
"Ways of
Salvation? On the investigation of Jacques Dupuis", by Francis J.
Sullivan. America.
April 9, 2001.
"Theologian's
work merits encouragement, not censure". National Catholic
Reporter. March 9,
2001.
"Theologian
Dupuis says He's Free At Last", by John Allen, Jr. National
Catholic Reporter,
March 9, 2001.
"Cardinals
Air Differences on Role of Doctrinal Congregation". America. April 10, 1999.
"Provincials
decry Vatican Suspicion of Asian Theology", National
Catholic Reporter,
April 2, 1999.
"Ratzinger
Rips Konig's Criticism", National Catholic Reporter, April 2, 1999.
In Defence of
Jacques Dupuis, by Cardinal Franz Konig. The Tablet, January 16, 1999.
"Indian
Archbishop Defends Jesuit Theologian". America Dec 5, 1998.
"Two European
Scholars Under Scrutiny for Heresy", by John Allen, Jr. National
Catholic Reporter,
Nov. 20, 1998.
Documents Pertaining To...
Commentary on the
Notification of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding the
book Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism by Father Jacques
Dupuis, S.J., Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, March 20,
2001.
Statement of Father
Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, Superior General of the Society of Jesus,
Feb. 26, 2001.
Notification on the
book Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism (Orbis Books:
Maryknoll, New York 1997), by Father Jacques Dupuis, S.J.,
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Jan. 24, 2001.
Fr. Roger Haight, S.J.
In the Press...
Jesuit Roger
Haight's Book Has "Grave Doctrinal Errors": Author of "Jesus:
Symbol of God" Barred From Teaching Catholic Theology
Zenit.org. Feb. 8, 2005.
Ratzinger seeks
further explanation from US theologian. CathNews.com. 17 Sep 2003.
"Haight
Silencing Feeds Theologians' Fears", by Margot Patterson. National
Catholic Reporter,
May 4, 2001.
American Jesuit's
Book Spurs Vatican Inquiry, by Teresa Watanabe. The Los Angeles
Times. April 25,
2001
"Rome Targets
Another Jesuit", by Gerald Renner. National Catholic
Reporter, August 11,
2000.
Haight on Trial.
Commonweal May
18, 2001 / Volume CXXVIII, Number 10.
Documents Pertaining To . . .
Vatican
Notification on "Jesus Symbol of God". Published in the
Feb. 9 weekly English edition of L'Osservatore Romano.
Fr. Anthony
De Mello, S.J.
In the Press...
The Enigma of
Anthony de Mello, by Parmananda Divarkar. America. Nov. 7, 1998.
The Prayer of the
Frog Called into Question. Ecumenical Review April 1999.
Dr. Seuss
condemned: grinches go after de Mello, by David Toolan. Commonweal, Oct. 23, 1998.
"De Mello
Censure reflects Vatican Misgivings about Eastern Thinking", by
John Allen Jr. National Catholic Reporter, Sept. 4, 1998.
Documents
Pertaining To...
Notification
Concerning the Writings of Father Anthony De Mello, S.J.,
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Jan. 24, 1998.
Fr. Tissa Balasuriya, OMI
In the Press...
"Condemned
Priest is Restored to Church", by Pamela Schaeffer. National
Catholic Reporter,
January 30, 1998. Cardinal Ratzinger
vs. Fr. Balasuriya. Christian Order Dec. 1997.