Report on theology society both 'encouraging, saddening'?

Washington D.C., Oct 23, 2013 / 04:07 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A spiritual theology professor has said that an internal report acknowledging the Catholic Theological Society of America excludes more-orthodox and conservative thinkers is regrettable, yet an opportunity for change in the group.

The National Catholic Reporter recently published a May 15 report of the Catholic Theological Society of America's committee on theological diversity, which said, “the self-conception of many members that the CTSA is open to all Catholic theologians is faulty and self-deceptive.”

"As one of our members put it, the CTSA is a group of liberal theologians and 'this permeates virtually everything … because the CTSA does not aspire to be a partisan group, both attitudes and practices will have to shift if the CTSA is to become the place where all perspectives within Catholic theology in North America are welcome," the report continued.

Dr. Anthony Lilles, who teaches spiritual theology at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver, Colo., commented to CNA Oct. 22 that he is “both saddened and encouraged by the report.”

Lilles lamented the news that “a forum is provided in which Catholic scholars deride the views of their peers” and “cheer derogatory remarks against the Magisterium,” saying that “these observations suggest the CTSA has betrayed the very purpose responsible Catholic theology exists to serve.”  (more...)

Report on theology society both 'encouraging, saddening'