Notes from the Road More Traveled: Doing Theology in a US Cultural Context

One of the most significant consequences of Vatican II has been the worldwide effort at inculturation and contextualization of the Christian tradition, particularly at the level of foundational theology and method.This process implies drawing on the unique patterns of thought, social structures, cultural narratives, and rituals to develop new theological and pastoral sensibilities.This process, termed “prophetic dialogue” by Steve Bevans and Roger Schroeder,[1] seems to be dramatically underway practically everywhere in the Roman Catholic world except, most notably, in the United States.While Hispanics/Latin@s, African Americans, Asian Americans, feminists, etc., have continuously served with an awareness of the need for contextualization, Euro-American academic and ecclesial theology has largely failed to analyze, articulate, and critique its own US cultural context and to engage it in a serious evangelical and theological dialogue. In this article, I propose to offer what I believe are four significant insights about to the task of inculturation/contextualization as it relates particularly to Euro-American theology in the church and academy in the coming decade.[1] Stephen B. Bevans And Roger P. Schroeder, Constant in Context: A Theology of Mission for Today, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2004, 385-95.See also Bevans and Schroeder, Prophetic Dialogue: Reflections on Christian Mission Today, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2011.

Ministry to US Catholic LGBTQ Youth: A Call for More Openness and Affirmation

This article evaluates the current Catholic youth ministry practice to, with, and for Catholic LGBTQ youth. The methodology utilized is both descriptive and prescriptive, and calls into question the lack of ministerial presence afforded to Catholic LGBTQ youth. The essay briefly examines the official ecclesiastical documents on homosexuality and their relevance for LGBTQ youth. Next it assesses the major US ecclesial youth ministry document, Renewing the Vision, and calls for its renewal and revision. In particular the article offers concrete recommendations for the two areas of Catholic youth ministry—advocacy and pastoral care—that would have the most positive impact for LGBTQ youth and Catholic youth ministry. Finally, the article calls for the US Catholic bishops, youth ministers, and parents to be more open and affirming with LGBTQ youth and provides some practical suggestions.

“An Echo in their Hearts”: The Church in Our Modern World

Given the theological anthropology and ecclesiological charge of Gaudium et spes, living out its call demands Christians appreciate that “Nothing that is genuinely human fails to find an echo in our hearts,” indeed sometimes a thorn in our hearts. This essay outlines some of the key themes and legacies of Gaudium et spes in light of this focus and then returns to several elements of its “echo” in areas of dialogue, conscience, and resonance for the church today.

Bernardin and Bergoglio: What the Cardinal’s Legacy Offers to a Church Led by Pope Francis

As the papacy of Francis unfolds the Church is experiencing a time of rebirth, grounded in our long tradition but with shifting emphases and fresh outlooks. Seminaries and other graduate schools of study may struggle to find frames of reference in which to structure education and formation to fit these shifts. They would do well to revisit the work of Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, in particular his Consistent Ethic of Life and Common Ground Initiative, as a way forward during this springtime of renewed interest in the church and its relevance to contemporary issues. The two men seem to be kindred spirits, as well as products of their eras. Bernardin’s work will need updating, but it provides a solid foundation from which to begin the implementation of Francis’s vision for a church at the service of Christ’s mission today.