It is with great sadness that I announce the death this morning of Avery, Cardinal Dulles, SJ. He was 90 years old.
Cardinal Dulles was arguably the most significant American theologian of the century, and possibly the foremost ecclesiologist in the world. Indeed, we even used his "Models of the Church" at Oral Roberts University! (Not always known as a Jesuit-friendly institution!)
I had the great privilege of meeting Cardinal (then Father) Dulles back in the late '90's while I was a student at Nashotah House. We had a academic convocation each November, and one year, Fr. Dulles was one of the featured speakers. We had just suffered through an interminable (and awful) address by some retired Episcopal bishop who essentially proclaimed that he no longer liked the word "Catholic" -- and wasn't too sure any more about "Christian"! Fr. Dulles was next. Very diplomatically, very kindly -- and VERY thoroughly, Fr. Dulles absolutely demolished the previous speaker. So thoroughly, in fact, that our Systematic Theology/Liturgy professor at the seminary (who was more sympathetic, I'm afraid, to the heretical bishop than to Fr. Dulles) visibly extremely uncomfortable! It was a joy to behold.
Following the convocation, I had the honor to ride back to the airport with Fr. Dulles. I am most privileged to have in my personal collection several of his books, which he graciously signed for me.
Cardinal Dulles's death will leave an incredible void in theological circles -- and, no doubt, among his Jesuit brothers. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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