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James Martin, S.J.February 15, 2013

 

WOODSTOCK THEOLOGICAL CENTER CLOSES: A Legacy of Forty Years of Tradition and Service

(Washington, D.C. February 15, 2013)  The Jesuit Provincials of Maryland, New York, and New England, along with the other members of the Board of Trustees of the Woodstock Theological Center (WTC), have decided, as of June 30, 2013, to discontinue WTC’s activities as an independent ministry of the East Coast provinces of the Society of Jesus. 

The enormous transformations experienced by the Society of Jesus in the last forty years have influenced the allocation of human and material resources, including those dedicated to the mission of theological reflection.  More recently, the Jesuits of the U.S. provinces have engaged in a strategic review of how best to meet the challenges and mission priorities of the 21st century.  

Gasper F. LoBiondo, S.J., Director of the Woodstock Theological Center since 2002, observed that, “while Woodstock’s formal, independent ministry will come to an end, its rich legacy will continue to serve in the context of the research, publications, and theological forums that have advanced the church’s understanding of the role of faith in public life. All who have been associated with Woodstock Theological Center over its forty years of service can be proud of what they have accomplished, and should be encouraged by the knowledge that the work they have done will not come to an end because the value of such work will be embraced by other institutions in new forms.”

While the programming of the Center itself will come to an end as of June 30, 2013, it is hoped that some of the research initiatives might be relocated at Georgetown University and other Jesuit institutions to carry forward Woodstock’s legacy.

 

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Craig McKee
11 years 1 month ago
Dio mio! First, the closing of Washington Theological Union and now the closing of Woodstock. It appears that progressive Catholic theology is an endangered species in the nation's capital - where it is sorely needed. Or, at least a certain BRAND of Catholic theology, that is....when one observes the well-moneyed institutions which are sweeping in with a neo-traditional flourish to replace them. http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/breaking_ground/2012/11/washington-theological-union-to.html http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-08-02/local/35269028_1_knights-columbus-cultural-events http://www.dhs.edu/
Bill Mazzella
11 years 1 month ago
"well-moneyed institutions " in verita. Does the Empire reign or does the Spirit? Following the money does provide a lot of answers. Otherwise how can we build over-sized cathedrals and import Indian and Nigerian priests in bunches while poor Nigerians and deprived Indians are severely neglected. Is that the Splendor of Truth? Perhaps we should not fret over WTU closing. Especially if we look at it as a dusting off of our feet while we go to a place that will receive the gospel Money is such an unproductive entity when it is valued so much. But Dives keeps trying.

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