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Few unchangeables
Commonweal, June 3, 2005 by Eugene C. Bianchi
I agree with so much in Charles Curran's article on Pope Benedict XVI ("A Place for Dissent," May 6) that it may seem churlish to disagree on one point. But it is a crucial disagreement. Curran distinguishes between those things that are central (and unchangeable or even infallible) in Catholic teaching and those that can be and have been altered in history (usually ethical issues). Would that it were so simple. Among the "unchangeables" he lists doctrines about the Trinity, Jesus as Lord and Saviour, the papacy and episcopate, and even, if I have it right, the exclusion of women from the priesthood. But these and other doctrines were formulated by very fallible humans within the limitations of given cultures and languages. Such "unchangeables" need to be constantly reinterpreted in light of new knowledge and experience. This doesn't mean that everything is up for grabs. But it does signify that the dynamic of theological change runs deep. There is no easy freedom from new insights that alter our understanding about the mystery of God.
EUGENE C. BIANCHI
Atlanta, Ga.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Commonweal Foundation
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
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