Various cultures—English, Turkish, Chinese—claim to have invented the maxim, “The fish rots from the head down” (a favorite in Your Nation’s Capital during the unhappy years when the Redskins/Commanders were owned by Daniel Snyder). Applied to the Church, the idiom suggests that when theology is decadent, bad things will follow in the life of faith. Or, to put it more stringently, intellectually decadent Catholicism (Catholic Lite) inevitably leads to dead Catholicism (Catholic Zero).
Which brings us to the conference on “The Future of Theology,” sponsored by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education and held at the Pontifical Lateran University this past December 9-10.
Among the conference’s featured speakers were Father James Keenan, SJ, of Boston College, and Dr. Nancy Pineda-Madrid of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
Father Keenan came to public attention in 2003 when, in testimony before the Judiciary Committee of the Massachusetts State Legislature, he opposed a bill defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman as “contrary to Catholic teaching on social justice” because such a law would constitute “active and unjust discrimination against the basic social rights of gay and lesbian persons.” At the Lateran conference last December, Keenan was reported to have devoted a considerable part of his allotted time to railing against Donald Trump, whose relationship to “the future of theology” is not immediately evident.
Dr. Pineda-Madrid’s faculty page at the LMU website describes her as “a feminist theologian who researches the Latina/x faith experience” and the author of a book “arguing for a fresh interpretation of salvation where women’s lives matter.” In June 2024, she was elected president of the Catholic Theological Society of America. But do CTSA theologians represent “the future of theology”?
Evidence for that is not abundant at Dr. Pineda-Madrid’s own university. For while Loyola Marymount counts, at present, 7,094 undergraduates, LMU’s “institutional research and decision support” website reports that the university awarded one bachelor’s degree in theology in the 2023-2024 academic year. That marked lack of student interest might be explained in part by the faculty page of Dr. Pineda-Madrid’s LMU theology department colleague, Dr. Layla Karst, who offers a seminar entitled “Bad Catholics.” There, students learn from the “voices” of “Feminist theologians, Black and Womanist theologians, Queer theologians, and Eco-theologians” about the “struggle over orthodox belief and right practice that takes place under asymmetrical power relationships.”
It says something about the current Roman atmosphere of ecclesiastical intimidation that several of those who attended the Lateran conference declined to discuss in detail what was said there, although one brave soul did describe the conference as “vapid.” Irrespective of the theological wokery that framed the conference’s content, however, the imposition of the small group discussion method of “Conversation in the Spirit” on the conference participants guaranteed that there would be no robust exchange of views of the sort that once characterized medieval Catholic universities, where even the most distinguished professors were expected to publicly defend their positions, at length and in-depth, against all comers.
For despite the hype extolling its use at the last two Synods—indeed, based on that experience—“Conversation in the Spirit” is an instrument of manipulation, not a process that yields serious conversation or debate. Participants (some of them brilliant and learned) were given two minutes in “Moment 1” to share ideas or reactions to what the principal speakers said to the whole conference; a minute of silence followed; participants got another two minutes to state “what resonated with them most from the contributions shared by others in Moment 1” (note: not what they might have thought to be utter nonsense); another minute of silence ensued; and finally, the group’s “secretary and facilitator” concocted “a concise summary to be presented to the assembly.”
If you can imagine serious deliberation on anything emerging from a process in which a human egg timer controls the flow of discussion, well, your imagination is more fertile than mine.
It is absurd to suggest that a creative, evangelically empowering “future of theology” is going to be defined by a stacked deck of major presenters and an infantilizing process. Even worse, though, is that, in certain quarters, this “Conversation in the Spirit” methodology seems to be considered a template for all Catholic deliberative bodies. Might that include, in some minds, the general congregations of cardinals that precede a conclave? Might some even dare to suggest that the conclave itself should be conducted according to the “Conversation in the Spirit” method?
Those concerns were being quietly bruited in Rome last month. As they certainly should be.
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A dog chasing its own tail in circles…If Gnosticism is the “Theology of the Future”, AND NOW “Conversations in the Spirit” are…the “Future of Theology”. We read: “It is absurd to suggest that a creative, evangelically empowering ‘future of theology’ is going to be defined by a stacked deck of major presenters and an infantilizing [!] process.”
An apt word, “infantilizing!” One is reminded of what the novelist Georges Bernanos had to say back in 1947 about us in the future:
“The modern world will shortly no longer possess sufficient spiritual reserves to commit genuine evil. Already . . . we can witness a lethal slackening of men’s conscience that is attacking not only their moral life, but also their very heart and mind, altering and decomposing even their imagination . . . The menacing crisis is one of INFANTILISM.” (Interview with Samedi-Soir, Nov. 8, 1947, cited in Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Bernanos: An Ecclesial Existence” [San Francisco: Ignatius, 1996], 457, caps added).
QUESTION: Does the circling/roundtabling dog ever look up?
I participated in one of these “conversations in the Spirit” during the USCCB’s consultation with theologians on the synod and Dr Weigel rightly describes it as “vapid.” I also found it presumptuous to assume that after a little prayer and some eye wobbling, we suddenly believe the Holy Spirit was talking to and through us in three-minute segments. “Conversation in the Spirit?” Call it Francis ecclesiastical gaslighting. But it’s all in keeping with the theological ‘mess” Francis has concocted (including how he thinks theology should be “done”) during this pontificate.
Father Keenan came to public attention in 2003
Well Fr. Keenan just sounds like a product of the John Paul “the Great” then.
Yes, because everything—everything!—that happened in the Church between 1978 and 2025 was caused by John Paul II. Very logical.
When I studied moral theology at Fordham in the 1980s (writing on John Paul the Great before he was in style) we needed a moral theologian. Eventually, after my graduation, James Keenan came to Fordham but quickly went off to Massachusetts (Weston and BC). Do not blame Keenan on John Paul II: Keenan espoused all the revisionist moral theology at which JP2 took aim in Splendor veritatis.
The primary problem with the Catholic establishment and its hierarchs is that it appears that most if the persons inhabiting sears and pulling levers are “re-paganized,” they are not Christians (when I write the word “Christian,” I mean people who believe that Jesus is God, and must be obeyed).
Naturally, hierarchs like the Pontiff Francis and “His Eminence” McElroy, and “their circle,” being as they are “psycho-sexually liberated” from the authority of Jesus, act in accordance with what they are: i.e., outlaws.
Thus it is a symptom of their root defect that they are “intellectually decadent” with “infantalizing theology,” etc, etc.
But their root defect is rejection of Jesus Christ, his incarnation, and his saving act of crucifixion and resurrection from death. They are the spawn of their mentors like Walter Kasper, the published apostate priest so foolishly made Bishop and Cardinal by Popes Paul VI and JP2 (or were both “promotions” made by JP2?), a man who despite publishing his denial of the resurrection (among denying the miracles of Jesus, apparently because he didn’t really think Jesus was God), was nevertheless elevated to “teaching authority” and “pontiff-maker.”
So now here we are, 50 years hence, with a Church taken over by apostates, sodomy promoters, and sex abuse coverup artists, including the Pontiff Francis, elected by the “Cardinal-Kasper-Neo-Pagan” cult hierarchs.
The root problem is not bad theology, aka “Catholic-Lite.” The root problem is the prevailing apostasy reaching to the highest of the hierarchy, and spread by apostate Bishops and their establishment colleagues across the world-wide Church, in what Fr. Robert Imbelli described and alluded to as the cult of “a decapitated Body of Christ.”
These are men who are great respecters of persons, who expect in turn to be respected y the faithful, despite the fact that they have contempt for the authority of the person known as Jesus Christ.
In 1990 Pope John II issued the apostolic constitution “ex code ecclesia.” Among other things it required theology professors to receive a mandate to teach theology from their local bishop. So, either these theology professors have received the mandate from their bishop, or, they have not and their bishop is too weak to exercise his governing responsibility, or he agrees with these theology professors.
So, if the fish rots from the head down, then who exactly are the fish in these cases?
I attended a Jesuit University from 1960 to 1964. When I encounter more recent graduates and the subject comes up, I say that I attended when the Jesuits were still Catholic (for the most part).
Ex Corde Ecclesiae is essentially a dead letter in the United States. Catholic college and university presidents did not want it and the USCCB did not want to fight it. They all go through the Kabuki Theater of regular “consultations” and “dialogues” about its “implementation,” but it’s largely not been implemented, at least in the way JP2 foresaw. And I’d venture to say many Catholic academics and bishops in the USA are absolutely good with that.
Conversation in the Spirit is equivalent to a conversation with the hurricane winds spreading the impossible burning of Los Angeles occurring at this very moment. Stacked decks ensure Catholic theology will continue to fuel the flames destroying the Church. Zero containment without the leadership required, stunningly wanton Jesuitism ensuring it remains a conflagration.
LA’s fires are being called a hurricane of flames winds true hurricane force measured 80 to 90 mph. Despite the soon to arrive fire fighting resources from Oregon, N CA, Nevada their arrival will be unable to contain the conflagration until the winds cease. These kinds of catastrophic events are called an act of God. And it’s only divine Providence that will halt it.
Whereas the Church conflagration fueled by Fr Keenan and company has the means to contain and reverse the damage. The Vatican. Although it’s the Vatican led by Pope Francis that is the primary arsonist. Some are calling the LA fire apocalyptic. Our Church theological inferno has the same noxious smell.
I would agree with all the comments thus far….having been a convert from evangelicalism to the wonderful church of our Lord the catholic church, I am steeped in the scriptures and when so called theologians teach what is against scripture my antennas go up…I agree with a true theology rooted in scripture and is taught by the catholic church aligning itself with the catechism of 1993 circa, but today we have a “new theology” which is outright apostasy….t h e evolvment as it is called should be a deeper understanding of biblical truth s not the pablum served up by people like what’s going on in these seminars….but I am so optimistic about my faith I will never fall for this deception…I will disobey the hierarchy for the sake of truth…there will always be bishops and priests true to the faith…find them and if need be …be open to orthodoxy…the true church will prevail…blessed be God and our Lord Jesus…..
Amen Ronald
“Priests” like Keenan, who clearly do not believe in Catholic teachings, should be removed from the priesthood. He can peddle his non-Catholic ideas without being a clergyman. Its my opinion that far too many priests, Bishops and Cardinals are interested in being popular, “inclusive”, or politically left to REALLY care about with the Catholic church is supposed to believe. A REAL priest does not have to occupy himself with such concerns. Certainly these activists have no thoughts of teaching or enforcing Catholic concepts with the faithful ( what few of them are left).
Those of us that ARE left mostly have no interest in radical changes to the church, blessing gay couples,women priests, the reduced emphasis on the concept of sin, or any of the novel crazy ideas these guys peddle.
I dont expect real changes until we have new Pope. Even then no changes may come if the man who succeeds this Pope is cut from the same cloth. Pray God that the next Pope is a conservative who believes in Catholic teachings and is willing to enforce them by removing unfaithful priests of all ranks from the clergy. I dont know if the church will survive much longer if we get another “leader” like this one.
As a coda to my first comment, having re-read the essay, I am of a different conclusion than Mr. Weigel.
A. GW writes: “Catholic Lite (intellectually decadent Catholicism) leads to Catholic Zero (dead Catholicism).
B. I believe this is a misdiagnosis. I believe the facts testify to a pathology much more malignant. “Dead Catholicism is the mother of Catholic Lite.”
Are we observing in this latest episode what René Girard claimed was mimetic desire operating within the Church.
Not faith and reason driving individual thinking, but a mindset that has been derived from the desires of others.
As a result we observe in the Church what Solzhenitsyn called ‘living by lies’
To avoid opposing parties imperilling Church unity, a scapegoat is found.
Truth, that of Christ.
Brilliant distillation.
For some historical background on the demise of Catholic colleges/universities, and the corruption of their theology departments, check out Anne Hendershott’s new book “A Lamp in the Darkness: How Faithful Catholic Colleges Are Helping to Save the Church.” However, as much as I like the book, the subtitle is optimistic – in my opinion. Out of over 200 self-proclaimed “Catholic” institutions, the faithful ones can almost be counted on two hands. My recommendation is that the majority of the institutions should be required to remove any reference to “Catholic” in their name or mission statements and let them be what they are, fully secular institutions. Actually, “secular” may also be optimistic, perhaps “pagan” is closer to the truth.
Hey, those Catholic colleges/universities are not entirely secular. What we have here is a unified devotion to the new religion of NCAA athletics!
Lots of different sects, or course, with one different mascot on each campus. There are 351 NCAA Division 1 “institutions of higher learning” devoted to gladiatorial college basketball (I think 41 are Catholic, equally adorned with dancing virgins), almost the same number as the 360 pagan idols housed in the Ka’ba in 7tyh-century Mecca before Muhammad cleaned house with his Arabian/Arian version of monotheism.
So, there’s still “hope”…which is more than a projected shot at March Madness (the same month as Ramadan)!
The temples (stadiums/arenas) they build for their religion are quite impressive. And the salaries they pay their priests (coaches) are equally impressive.
LOL