UPDATE: Moments ago (Friday evening), at the business meeting of the Catholic Theological Society of America, the assembly voted by an overwhelming majority to adopt the statement of the CTSA board on the case of Sr. Margaret Farley as its own. (A few members opposed the motion, and a few more abstained.) This is significant because CTSA board statements are solely the responsibility of its members. Full statement of the CTSA below. [End update.] This morning the Catholic Theological Society of America board released the following statement responding to the Vatican's "notification" on Sr. Margaret Farley's book Just Love:
On June 4, 2012, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published a Notification entitled Regarding the Book Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics by Sister Margaret A. Farley, R.S.M. The Notification judged that, in a number of respects, Professor Farleys book presents positions on matters of sexual ethics that are contrary to the teaching of the Magisterium.We, the undersigned members of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Theological Society of America, wish to note that Professor Farley is a highly respected member of the theological community. A former President of the CTSA and a recipient of the Societys John Courtney Murray Award, she has devoted her life to teaching and writing on ethical issues and has done so in ways that have been reflective, measured, and wise. Her work has prompted a generation of theologians to think more deeply about the Christian meaning of personal relationships and the divine life of love that truly animates them. The judgment of the Notification that a number of Professor Farleys stated positions are contrary to the teaching of the Magisterium is simply factual. In our judgment, however, Professor Farleys purpose in her book is to raise and explore questions of keen concern to the faithful of the Church. Doing so is one very legitimate way of engaging in theological inquiry that has been practiced throughout the Catholic tradition.The Board is especially concerned with the understanding of the task of Catholic theology presented in the Notification. The Notification risks giving the impression that there can be no constructive role in the life of the Church for works of theology that 1) give voice to the experience and concerns of ordinary believers, 2) raise questions about the persuasiveness of certain official Catholic positions, and 3) offer alternative theological frameworks as potentially helpful contributions to the authentic development of doctrine. Such an understanding of the nature of theology inappropriately conflates the distinctive tasks of catechesis and theology. With regard to the subject matter of Professor Farleys book, it is simply a matter of fact that faithful Catholics in every corner of the Church are raising ethical questions like those Professor Farley has addressed. In raising and exploring such questions with her customary sensitivity and judiciousness, Professor Farley has invited us to engage the Catholic tradition seriously and thoughtfully.Signed, John E. Thiel, Ph.D.Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CT PresidentSusan A. Ross, Ph.D.Loyola UniversityChicago, ILPresident-ElectRichard R. Gaillardetz, Ph.D.Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MAVice-PresidentMary Ann Hinsdale, I.H.M., Ph.D.Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MAPast PresidentM. Theresa Moser, R.S.C.J., Ph.D.University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CASecretaryJozef D. Zalot, Ph.DCollege of Mount St. JosephCincinnati, OHTreasurerMichael E. Lee, Ph.D.Fordham UniversityBronx, NYKathleen McManus, O.P., Ph.D.University of PortlandPortland, ORJudith A. Merkle, S.N.D. de N., Ph.D.Niagara UniversityNiagara, NYElena Procario-Foley, Ph.D.Iona CollegeNew Rochelle, NYJune 7, 2012
