Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options

In the wake of criticism from the Catholic Theological Society of America, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington [pictured],  chair of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, sent a “resource” to bishops on April 18 “outlining the relationship between bishops and theologians.” Controversy has been brewing since a critique was released on March 24 of the book Quest for the Living God, by Elizabeth A. Johnson, C.S.J. The committee charged that the work was misleading and “does not accord with authentic Catholic teaching on essential points.” The C.T.S.A. countered that the bishops had misinterpreted Sister Johnson’s book and had ignored its own policies—for instance, by not first informally discussing its concerns with her. In the resource Cardinal Wuerl said that “it is the specific competence and responsibility of bishops to teach the faith in its entirety,” citing a 1992 statement of the doctrinal committee that bishops “are to determine authoritatively the correct interpretation of the Scripture and tradition committed to the Church...and they are to judge for the Church the accuracy of the presentation of this revelation by others.”

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.

The latest from america

A Reflection for Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent, by Ashley McKinless
Ashley McKinlessApril 02, 2025
A Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Father Terrance Klein
Terrance KleinApril 02, 2025
During his long and fruitful pontificate, St. John Paul II embraced the entire world, which stands yet again in need of his blessing, Cardinal Pietro Parolin said.
Father Marko Rupnik, a well-known priest and artist, has been accused of sexually, spiritually and psychologically abusing more than 20 women.