June 2001 Call to Action News

U.S. Jesuit theologian faces Vatican probe

Jesuit Fr. Roger Haight of Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, Mass., won first prize in theology from the Catholic Press Association for his book, Jesus Symbol of God. But Cardinal Ratzinger’s Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has barred Haight from teaching while he answers questions about the book.

At issue, as in Ratzinger's recent investigation of Belgian theologian Jacques Dupuis, is Catholicism's stance toward non-Christian religions. Ratzinger's recent document, Dominus Iesus, says salvation comes only through Jesus. Haight, like Dupuis and a number of other Catholic theologians, explores the possibility that for non-Christians, God may work in other ways.

Haight is respectfully cooperating with the Vatican inquiry. But many theologians say that in this and in every case, the Ratzinger process is overly secretive, lacks due process, presumes guilt, and harasses theologians unreasonably. Said Fr. Robert Schreiter of Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union, “You have very little recourse once this starts. In a way, you're guilty until proven innocent.” The lead editorial Apr. 9 in the Jesuit newsweekly, America, was stronger: “The inquisitorial methods of the CDF are out of date and do not respect human rights. They should be dismantled without delay.”

Haight is former president of the Catholic Theological Society of America, which strongly defends academic freedom for theologians to debate new ideas. Another CTSA ex-president, Josephite Sr. Elizabeth Johnson of Fordham University, sees differences among theologians as normal. “Theologians in Asia are arguing that Christ is savior of those who believe in him, but that God's plans may be bigger than that,” she said. “If you took a poll of Catholic theologians around the world, you find people all over the map on this.”