America, a popular intellectual Catholic magazine, bans terms ‘liberal,’ ‘conservative'

[rug]

By Michelle Boorstein
Updated: Friday, June 28, 7:58 AM

For decades, America magazine has been a favorite of Catholic liberal intellectuals. Run by Jesuits, an order known for engaging controversial issues for the church, the magazine has featured arguments on such topics as married priests and contraception.

Now the New York-based publication is shifting course, saying in an editor’s letter this month that Americans are “sickened by the toxin of ideological partisanship” and that it will stop using the words “liberal” and “conservative” to describe Catholics’ religious viewpoints. Leading this change is America’s new editor in chief, the Rev. Matt Malone, a former Massachusetts political speechwriter who was ordained last June. At 41, he is the youngest editor in the magazine’s 104 years. We spoke with Malone this week.

Q: What makes America a Jesuit magazine?

A: What’s peculiar to the Jesuits is our geography – our social political geography. The Jesuits are, in the words of Pope Benedict, called to the margins. We work at the intersection of faith and public life. We translate the world for the church and the church for the world. .?.?. Jesuits were the first modern urban [religious] order. [Founder Ignatius of Loyola] wanted us in the heart of the world.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/america-a-popular-intellectual-catholic-magazine-bans-terms-liberal-conservative/2013/06/28/53f9fe6a-df6c-11e2-b2d4-ea6d8f477a01_story.html

Here's the letter from the Editor.

http://americamagazine.org/issue/pursuing-truth-love

It's a good move. Using contemporary political terms is a clumsy and inaccurate measure of religious and theological thought.

[No Vested Interest]

1. Too bad the terms have become so politicized

As one educated in the Catholic faith, I remember when the term "liberal" was considered virtuous. Today, many Catholics, including clergy, regard "conservative values" the proper Catholic view. I am not one of those.

As an aside - when I was in high school, over 60 years ago, a subscription to "America" was mandated by the nun who taught senior class religion, with certain articles required reading. She wanted her students to be well-informed Catholics; I'm grateful for this forward-looking tutelage.

[rug]

3. I remember hearing about America in high school also.

It was right after Vatican II but we were cautioned about it. But then, Dominicans have never trusted Jesuits.

[UrbScotty]

2. It is a good idea - theological conservatism/liberalism

isn't the same as political conservatism/liberalism.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

4. Quite true

Theologically, one can be both simultaneously. For example, I am liberal on some subjects, such as priestly celibacy, the ordination of women and contraception; conservative on others, such as dogmatic theology; and middle-of-the-road on still others, such as the Bible.

[IrishAyes]

5. This will require thought!

Am I up to it?

[rug]

6. Lol, without a doubt.

[IrishAyes]

7. It's hard! My head already hurts.

I'll have to quit for now and try again tomorrow. Wish me luck.