Loyal Dissent: Memoir of a Catholic Theologian (Moral Traditions series) [Paperback]

Charles E. Curran (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1589010876 | ISBN-13: 978-1589010871 | Publication Date: May 1, 2006 | Edition: annotated edition

Loyal Dissent is the candid and inspiring story of a Catholic priest and theologian who, despite being stripped of his right to teach as a Catholic theologian by the Vatican, remains committed to the Catholic Church. Over a nearly fifty-year career, Charles E. Curran has distinguished himself as the most well-known and the most controversial Catholic moral theologian in the United States. On occasion, he has disagreed with official church teachings on subjects such as contraception, homosexuality, divorce, abortion, moral norms, and the role played by the hierarchical teaching office in moral matters. Throughout, however, Curran has remained a committed Catholic, a priest working for the reform of a pilgrim church. His positions, he insists, are always in accord with the best understanding of Catholic theology and always dedicated to the good of the church.

In 1986, years of clashes with church authorities finally culminated in a decision by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, headed by then-Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, that Curran was neither suitable nor eligible to be a professor of Catholic theology. As a result of that Vatican condemnation, he was fired from his teaching position at Catholic University of America and, since then, no Catholic university has been willing to hire him. Yet Curran continues to defend the possibility of legitimate dissent from those teachings of the Catholic faith -- not core or central to it -- that are outside the realm of infallibility. In word and deed, he has worked in support of more academic freedom in Catholic higher education and for a structural change in the church that would increase the role of the Catholic community -- from local churches and parishes to all the baptized people of God.

In this poignant and passionate memoir, Curran recounts his remarkable story from his early years as a compliant, pre-Vatican II Catholic through decades of teaching and writing and a transformation that has brought him today to be recognized as a leader of progressive Catholicism throughout the world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"To some Fr. Curran is a radical progressive; to others, and angry dissident. The truth is that he is neither... Read the book." -- National Catholic Reporter

"For an intellectually gifted young man like Curran, there could be no going back to a time when theologians simply submitted to ecclesiastical censorship. Whether one ultimately agrees with Curran or not, his story is a reminder that when ideas lose their intrinsic power to command assent, authority can only do so much." -- Commonweal

"An inspiration. It is the story of a man totally dedicated to his vocation as theologian and priest, one who was treated harshly and unjustly and harbors no slightest touch of bitterness... His book is entertaining, enlightening, challenging and hope-filled." -- Doctrine & Life

"Readers here encounter both an autobiographical work and a reflective memoir chronicling Curran's evolving moral reasoning. He adroitly confronts established moral tenets with the brilliance of a scholar and the sensitivity of a seasoned pastor." -- Library Journal

"Curran is a clear and engaging writer, and Loyal Dissent introduces us to many compelling personalities in the American Catholic Church, in its Roman guard, and in Catholic higher education, even as it provides us with a familial invitation into the lives of priest-professors from the 1950s to the present time." -- Journal of Religion

"[Curran] thinks laypeople ought not to be powerless within their own church. In short, he believes in freedom of thought and speech within his own religion." -- Fort Worth Weekly

"As this newly released memoir recounts, at a relatively young age Curran became, by choice and circumstance, the most infamous American Catholic theologian of his time." -- America

"A compelling look into the machinery of one of the world's largest religious communities. Curran reflects on both his ongoing commitment to the church that condemned him and his responsibility to challenge its positions." -- Science & Spirit

"The book deserves a wide readership, if not for learning about a critique of US Catholicism after Vatican II, then surely for drawing inspiration from the narrative of one moral theologian's fidelity and commitment to the best in the Catholic tradition." -- The Jurist

"Charles Curran's memoir is a perfect expression of who he is: a mature, well-balanced person, without a trace of self-importance or rancor, a deeply committed Christian, and a first-rate, exceedingly productive Catholic theologian. This book deserves a wide readership not limited to theologians and students of theology. It will be of particular value for those seeking to understand more about the Christian moral life and the tensions and complexities of post-Vatican II Catholicism." -- Crowley-O'Brien Professor, University of Notre Dame

"Engrossing, enlightening, salted with humor, poignant, and profoundly inspiring, this memoir recounts the journey of one of the leading theologians of the Catholic Church in this country. Curran has been at the center of historic events. His own account of things, especially the gracious charity with which he views opponents, is stunning. His stories of personal, intellectual, and spiritual choices are linked, quite unselfconsciously, with the mantra 'for truth and for the good of the church.' To borrow the title of a best-selling book, this is a heartbreaking work of staggering genius -- not just human talent, but the genius of a faith-filled life. A powerful read for anyone who is active in the church today." -- Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ, Distinguished Professor of Theology, Fordham University

"In this memoir, the reader discovers the intellect of a scholar, the clarity of a teacher, and the heart of a pastor. With the realistic sense of history, saving sense of humor, acute intelligence, and love of the Church for which he is known, Charles Curran gives witness to the meaning and cost of being called to a stance of 'faithful dissent.' His commitment to Christian discipleship and to his vocation as a Catholic theologian and priest remains an inspiration for the Church in the 21st century." -- Mary Catherine Hilkert, Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame

"In his clear, direct style, Curran tells the story of his struggle with the Vatican over the legitimacy of dissent in the Catholic Church and with the Catholic University of America over academic freedom. His exploration of this history and the developments in theology since offers wisdom, understanding, and hope to those who struggle with their church and their own faith. It is a book for every thoughtful Christian, not just for theologians." -- Sheila Daley, codirector and cofounder, Call To Action

About the Author

Charles E. Curran, a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Rochester, New York, is Elizabeth Scurlock University Professor of Human Values at Southern Methodist University. He was the first recipient of the John Courtney Murray Award for Theology and has served as president of the Catholic Theological Society of America, the Society of Christian Ethics, and the American Theological Society. In 2003, Curran received the Presidential Award of the College Theology Society for a lifetime of scholarly achievements in moral theology, and in 2005, Call to Action -- a reform movement of 25,000 Catholics -- presented him with its leadership award. He is the author of The Moral Theology of Pope John Paul II and Catholic Social Teaching, 1891-Present, both published by Georgetown University Press.

Product Details

• Paperback: 314 pages
• Publisher: Georgetown University Press; annotated edition edition (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589010876
• ISBN-13: 978-1589010871
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #884,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Personal Journey..., May 19, 2006

By 

Charles Daschbach (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Loyal Dissent: Memoir of a Catholic Theologian (Moral Traditions series) (Paperback)

I am a cradle Catholic who has been fascinated by the changes in moral theology post Vatican II...particularly the paradox of how Catholics think and act vs. how the Church teaching (magisterium) approaches modern dilemmas...I have followed the personal saga of Fr. Charles Curran through my college, medical training and teaching practical medical ethics...then became a friend of a friend of Fr. Curran and briefly met him twice at Catholic Theological Society of America meetings...

This book chronicles his life's journey from his upbringing, through his international notoriety...some call him a courageous Saint who will be recognized long after he is gone...others see him as a destructive evil force...

But all acknowledge that he is one of today's most well-known, controversial, published and knowledgeable Catholic theologians.

Fr. Curran spends much of this book chronicling his stance that the Papal teaching against birth control is not an "infallable teaching"...and that this distinction makes it subject for debate and open discussuion...and within one's conscience, certainly not obligatory.

While the first seven chapters of Fr. Curran's life journey is worth reading...readers unfamiliar with him or his contributions to the discipline of Moral Theology should first read Chapters 8 'My Moral Theology' and 9 'The Development of Theology in the Past 50 years'...then go back to Chapter 1 'Beginnings'...

Those who are not familiar with the academic world may find the description of Father Curran's removal from his Professorship at Catholic Univ a bit too detailed and tedious... (that's why they are ACADEMICS, right!) but an important chronicle for him to restate from his detailed memory and perspective...

Those not familiar with the Catholic Church upheavals after Vatican II may question what all the fuss was about...

And those who have not read any of Fr. Charles Cuurran's many well written works on moral and social theology will not gain the sense that they know this man...

This was an important book to be written...it gives the memoir of a singular priest-scholar who studied, reflected and began a dialogue at the heart of Christian meaning. It creates a context for his many works, and my suggestion would be to read it in parallel with one of his better known books ("The Moral Theology of Pope John Paul II" <2005>, "Catholic Social Teaching :1891--Present" <2002>, The Catholic Moral Tradition Today: A Synthesis" <1999>, "the Origins of Moral Theology in the United States:Three Different Approaches" <1997>) because it is through his theological expositions, coupled with this highly personal memoir...that his ideas come to life.

It would be a great thing if every person with such a reputation would write their memoir...so that we could know the woman or man behind the headlines...the person who held a belief beyond their own day and beyond the boundaries of conventional thinking.

42 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars READ THIS BOOK!!!, June 7, 2006

By 

D. Horan "Franciscan Friar" (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Loyal Dissent: Memoir of a Catholic Theologian (Moral Traditions series) (Paperback)

This is one of the most interesting books that I have read in some time. Regardless of your personal secular or religious political position, this is a very well-written book that is sure to be a page turner!

Charles Curran lays his entire experience out for the public to read. Unlike many biographies and memoirs, Curran's work is not dry and inapproachable. Rather, his writing is laden with humor, satire and human-interest stories from his life that touch the heart of the reader.

In addition to the biographical portion of the book, outlined in the first three-quarters of the work, Curran presents a survey of his moral theology corpus as well as a commentary on the state of theology in the modern era. It is very interesting.

If you want to hear one of the most famous stories surrounding Roman Catholic Theology, the Roman Curia and the Academy in the United States from the point of view of the prime subject - Read this book!

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read! Don't miss this one by Charles Curran, August 8, 2006

By 

G. Robert Stewart "student of theology for 50... (Chantilly, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Loyal Dissent: Memoir of a Catholic Theologian (Moral Traditions series) (Paperback)

Curran's recent book is, in my opinion, a great read, providing not only good biography -explaining his development and growth as a theologian--but also the historical perspective needed for understanding our time in the history of the church and the developments in theology that occurred before, during and after Vatican Council II. Having become an adult prior to Vatican II--I remember well Pope Pius XII, Eugenio Pacelli, and the election of John XXIII, Angelo Roncalli--and being thoroughly absorbed in the theological arguments being offered by the various ideological camps within the church during the turbulent and exciting days of Vatican II and after Vatican II, I thought this book provided the needed historical perspective for understanding the conflicts that developed during the past 40 years. Curran leaves no doubt that he is a committed Christian, a stellar Catholic theologian who, in my judgment, has been treated like the prophets of old--very badly. He is clearly a balanced and mature person, as is manifested by his self-effacing narrative and the fact that there is no bitterness to be found in the telling of his story. I have read one critical review of Curran's book, and it was clearly written by someone who had already made up his/her mind about Curran and his contribution to theology, manifesting a belief that theology is nothing more than catechesis and that mature married Catholics require ongoing adult supervision by the hierarchy, especially with respect to sexual morality. Do yourself a favor and read it. I could hardly put it down once I started reading it.

Robert Stewart