Letters

Teilhard

Jeremias Wijeyeratne

Contents - May 2009 - Buy a copy now Editorial: The Virgin Mary's key role in our redemption - Michael Gilchrist Dissent: Rebel South Brisbane priest: new cafeteria church launched - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Inter-faith dialogue: Jewish leader defends Pope over Bishop Williamson controversy - AD2000 Report Pro-family culture: AIDS in Africa: science vindicates Catholic Church - Babette Francis US Catholics leaving the Church in droves: what can be done? - Fr Joseph A. Sirba FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH: The Crusades: the truth behind the myths - Frank Mobbs Conversion: A Catholic convert's story (Part 2): Are there any regrets? - Michael Daniel Staying together: Stable families: the best defence against violence Death of a Child: The Pot of Basil - Will Elsin Poetry: Moments - Bruce Dawe Letters: The Pope and AIDS - Arnold Jago Letters: Fundamentals - J. Loring Letters: Teilhard - Jeremias Wijeyeratne Letters: Simple faith - Alan Barron Letters: Doctrinal differences - John Morrissey Letters: One Shepherd - Peter D. Howard Letters: Women in the Church - Brian Bibby Letters: From India - Fr A. Joseph PP Books: Golden Years: Grounds for Hope: Fr Golden and the Newman Society 1950-1966 - David Kehoe (reviewer) Books: Hilaire Belloc and G.K. Chesterton, by Karl Schmude - Br Christian Moe (reviewer) Books: AD2000 Books for May Reflection: 'What is truth?' (John 18:38) - The tunnel vision of Pontius Pilate - Andrew Kania

I refer to Grahame Fallon's letter on the subject matter in your issue of February 2009. He contends that some Catholics regard the 'silencing' of Teilhard before and after his death - especially the Monitum issued by the Holy Office (now CDF) in 1962 and again by the Press Office in 1981 - as amounting to nothing other than a declaration of heresy.

The validity of the Monitum against Teilhard's writings had not been rescinded according to a letter issued by the Apostolic Delegation, Washington, DC, dated 20 October 1967 and effective sine die.

In 1965 Father Arrupe, Superior-General of the Jesuits, declared that Teilhard 'was neither a philosopher nor a theologian [and] had erroneous and ambiguous concepts. He was obscure, changeable, immature and not capable of clearly expressing himself.'

A host of other recorded impediments that pre-empted any positive view of his writings is available.

JEREMIAS WIJEYERATNE
Clayton, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 22 No 4 (May 2009), p. 15