Johnson Dialogue Continues

The harsh critique by the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Doctrine of a Fordham University theologian’s popular book was not meant to question the “dedication, honor, creativity or service” of Elizabeth A. Johnson, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, N.Y., and the author of Quest for the Living God. So wrote Thomas G. Weinandy, O.F.M.Cap., executive director of the Secretariat for Doctrine of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in a letter to Fordham University faculty members dated April 28. The letter was sent 10 days after 179 Fordham faculty members offered their support to Sister Johnson and urged U.S. bishops to “rectify the lack of respect and consideration your actions have shown.” Father Weinandy suggested a review of a 1989 document governing relations between bishops and theologians. He said that review might help parties “see how well its provisions are understood and applied.”