In response to criticism of the USCCB statement, Cardinal Wuerl’s 13-page resource highlights the complementary role that should be played between bishops and theologians.
“It is the privilege of theologians to delve more profoundly and systematically into the meaning of the faith, according to the ancient adage, ‘fides quaerens intellectum’ (faith seeking understanding),” the cardinal wrote. “Since this faith is handed on by the Church through the ministry of the magisterium, the bishop and the theologian have a special relationship that can and should be reciprocally enriching.”
“Bishops benefit from the work of theologians,” he continued, “while theologians gain a deeper understanding of revelation under the guidance of the magisterium. The ministry of bishops and the service rendered by theologians entail a mutual respect and support.”
The Cardinal makes a very interesting point about the audience for this book. Interesting that it is ok for people with a grounding in theology (I would guess grad students in theology) but that it is not a good place for new students in theology to start. He is correct that the RC Church did a particularly wretched job with catechesis during the 70s and 80s, and likely the following generation as well. Now we are starting to have the children of those 70s folks, where the parents are able to pass along their religious heritage because they don’t really know it themselves. Its sad really. I was bothered by the bishops coming down so hard on the book, but given his explanation, the reasoning makes sense to me. It’s sad, but it makes sense.
whoops. That ought to be “where parents are NOT able to pass along…”