The Rev. Andrew M. Greeley, who died on May 29, was a prolific writer and researcher who published his first article in America in 1957. He wrote dozens of articles for the magazine over the years, and was presented with the Campion Award by America in 2006. Former editor Thomas J. Reese, S.J., shared this story with us: "When Thurston Davis, S.J., was editor of America, he received a call in the early 1960’s from Jack Egan, an influential Chicago priest, telling him about a young parish priest who just finished his doctorate in sociology. 'You should encourage him to write,' said Egan. Neither recognized that they were opening a floodgate of prose and fiction that would have such a profound impact on the church."
Here we offer a selection of Father Greeley's articles for America:
"Whatever Happened to Ireland?" July 16, 2007
"A Writer, or a Parish Priest Who Writes?" January 1, 2007
"Religion in the Emerald Tiger," March 12, 2001
"Madonna's Challenge to Her Church," May 13, 1989
"The Catholic Imagination of Bruce Springsteen," February 6, 1988
"Who Reads Those Books?" May 26, 1984 (pdf)
"Myths, Meaning and Vatican III," December 19, 1970 (pdf)
"The Real Problems of the American Catholic Church," November 13, 1965 (pdf)
"The Temptation of the New Breed," May 22, 1965
"Catholic Education," April 17, 1965 (pdf)
"The New Breed," May 23, 1964