When the Magisterium Intervenes: The Magisterium and Theologians in Today’s Church
Publisher: The Liturgical Press, 2012
ISBN: 0814680542
Paperback: 321 pages
Catholicism has always recognized the need for a normative doctrinal teaching authority. Yet the character, scope, and exercise of that authority, what has come to be called the magisterium, has changed significantly over two millennia. This book gathers contributions from leading Catholic scholars in considering new factors that must be taken into account as we consider the church’s official teaching authority in today s postmodern context. Noted experts in their fields cover many intriguing topics here, including the investigation of theologians that has occurred in recent years, canonical perspectives on such investigations, the role that women religious have played in these issues, the place of the media when problems arise, and possible future ways forward. The book concludes with The Elizabeth Johnson Dossier, a selection of documents essential to understanding the case of Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ, whose work was recently the subject of severe criticism by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Editorial Reviews
“At a time of considerable disagreement over how the church’s teaching authority is being exercised, this is truly an important book.”
—Thomas P. Rausch, SJ, America magazine
“This impressive collection offers new perspectives on the sometimes testy relationship between theologians and bishops as they exercise their shared responsibility to make the time-honored truth of the Gospel speak anew to every generation. Any reader will be grateful for the editor’s inclusion of the central documents concerning the recent controversy surrounding Professor Elizabeth Johnson’s book Quest for the Living God.”
—John E. Thiel, Professor of Religious Studies, President, Catholic Theological Society of America
Richard Gaillardetz 