Tag Archives: authority

Synod 2014: Ecclesiology, Authority, Trust, and Fear as an Occasion of Sin

Posted on October 15, 2014 by

This portion of Francis’ opening remarks to the synod on the family instantly captured my attention: “I therefore ask you, please, have these attitudes of brothers in the Lord: speak with boldness and listen with humility. And do so with … Continue reading →

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Posted in Catholic, Ecclesiology | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Encyclical Crisis Then (and Now)

Posted on July 20, 2014 by

Commonweal Magazine selects various stories from past issues to post on its website, and this month they’ve included theologian Fr. Bernard Häring‘s response to Humanae Vitae, the 1968 papal encyclical that banned artificial contraception. In many ways, as I’ve written … Continue reading →

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Francis, Discipleship, Fandom, and Factionalism

Posted on December 28, 2013 by

The varied responses that Pope Francis has evoked are illustrative of various dynamics described by mimetic theory. Some people have responded to him both positively and seriously: they not only applaud his words and actions, but sincerely attempt to emulate … Continue reading →

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Posted in Catholic, Ecclesiology | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Cardinal Braz de Aviz’ Remarks on Authority in the Church

Posted on May 5, 2013 by

Let me start this essay with a sort of dramatis personae: The International Union of Superiors General (IUSG) is an organization consisting of the leadership of all the vowed religions orders of women and men (ie, nuns and monks). The … Continue reading →

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Posted in Catholic, Church history, Ecclesiology | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Thoughts on Healy’s “By the Working of the Holy Spirit”: The Crisis of Authority in the Christian Churches

Posted on March 3, 2013 by

Healy, Nicholas M. “By the Working of the Holy Spirit”: The Crisis of Authority in the Christian Churches. Anglican Theological Review 88:5-24. 2006. After reviewing the nature of authority in the church, Healy concludes that the current “crisis of authority,” … Continue reading →

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Posted in Ecclesiology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Healy on “new, apostolic forms of leadership”

Posted on February 24, 2013 by

[O]ne way for us all to work together to become the one body of Christ is to develop new, apostolic forms of leadership. I confess I have no real idea what they might be, beyond looking apostolic. That is, leaders … Continue reading →

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Rosemary Haughton on Mother Church and her twin sister

Posted on February 9, 2013 by

…here I want to suggest an answer by sketching two allegorical figures. One of them is a very familiar personage. Her name is “Mother Church.” She is, in many ways, an admirable and dedicated person, deeply concerned about her children, … Continue reading →

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Posted in Ecclesiology | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review: Critical Issues in Ecclesiology

Posted on November 29, 2012 by

(My review of this book, reproduced here, appears in a slightly different form in the Summer 2012 issue of the Journal of Ecumenical Studies, Volume 47, number 3, pages 496-7.) Critical Issues in Ecclesiology: Essays in Honor of Carl E. … Continue reading →

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Posted in Books, Ecclesiology, Ecumenism | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments