Inside
NCR
A friend who headed a religious
order in an earlier decade would talk of his puzzlement at the papacy of John
Paul II. There were few straight lines. Papal pronouncements of one week would
appear to be canceled later by a document from the Vatican doctrine
authorities.
Contradictions? Ambivalence? Or simply living in the tensions of
opposing ideologies?
Probably a mix of all three with a smidgen of simple human
inconsistency thrown in.
Those seem to be some of the choices for understanding the subject
of this week’s cover, the gathering in Assisi.
The image on the cover seems apt for the meeting, a kind of hope
for a resolution that ultimately will rise above the mists of uncertainty.
Given the world’s situation, I can see the gathering in Assisi only in a
positive light. First, no matter where one comes down in the debate over
religious pluralism, who can argue with the simple impulse to pray?
For those of us who might see this papacy, particularly at this
point in history, as a conservative, defensive pontificate on doctrinal issues,
here is a classic counter-example. On the theological significance of other
religions, John Paul has been remarkably daring, moving Catholic thought well
beyond the narrowly inclusivist position enshrined in the Second Vatican
Council. Despite being the first council in church history to speak positively
of other religions, Vatican II essentially said those other religions are
natural expressions of the human spirit yearning for God, rather than God
inspiring and working through those religions. That some of the disciplinary
measures and doctrinal “clarifications” issued during John
Paul’s reign breathe a different air is a serious matter, but it should
not negate the ultimately more lasting contributions the pope himself has
made.
One of those “clarifications,” Dominus Iesus,
continues to be an irritant. It is difficult to find an expert on
interreligious dialogue that doesn’t see that document as problematic. It
stands as an example of a central flaw in the process used by Vatican doctrinal
authorities to render judgments: Their theological documents are not developed
in consultation with theologians other than a narrow circle of like-minded
advisers.
Jesuit Fr. Tom Michel, an expert on Islam and a former official of
the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, asks, “Is the better
option to wait until all the theological problems are solved before we come
together? The other option is that we come together and do what we can
now.” I say pray now. The doctrinal establishment has the rest of time to
build the proper theological container.
Franciscan Fr. Richard Rohr begins a
Lenten series today on Page 14. If it seems early, it’s intentional.
We’re publishing the series early so those who want to use the pieces for
discussion or study during Lent can do so.
-- Tom Roberts
My e-mail address is troberts@natcath.org
National Catholic Reporter, February 1,
2002
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