Abstract
This article discusses applications of Lonergan’s thinking on tradition and innovation to the world of Catholic education. Even now, at the beginning of the 21st century and 20 years after his death, it is worthwhile to explore his understanding of tradition and innovation, with attention to how it related to the Catholic intellectual culture of his own time, and more importantly, how it might contribute to an understanding of the identity of Catholic educational institutions in today’s period of great transition. In recent years, faculty members and administrators at Catholic universities have been engaged in many discussions about the Catholic intellectual tradition and Catholic higher education. Most of the attention in these conversations has gone to the issue of what it means to be Catholic. The next step is to explore what it means to have a tradition. Thus, this essay examines the usefulness of one leading 20th century Catholic intellectual’s approach to tradition as it relates to Catholic education in general and to Catholic universities in particular.
Highlights
This article discusses applications of Lonergan’s thinking on tradition and innovation to the world of Catholic education
At the beginning of the 21st century and 20 years after his death, it is worthwhile to explore his understanding of tradition and innovation, with attention to how it related to the Catholic intellectual culture of his own time and, more importantly, how it might contribute to an understanding of the identity of Catholic educational institutions in today’s period of great transition
There are at least three ways in which Lonergan’s understanding of tradition and innovation is of interest to those reflecting upon the situation of Catholic higher education today
Summary
This article discusses applications of Lonergan’s thinking on tradition and innovation to the world of Catholic education. A Canadian Jesuit theologian and philosopher who lived from 1904-1984, aimed to do Catholic theology on what he described as “the level of the times.”. To explore Lonergan’s approach to tradition, we begin with a few comments about what he said directly about tradition In itself, this will not suffice because a fuller understanding of a tradition demands a consideration of the dynamics of community, the workings of history, and the nature of meaning. Lonergan’s recognition of the ambiguous status of tradition is clear in his distinction between authentic and inauthentic tradition He asserts that a tradition may be described as authentic in one or two senses: (1) in its faithfulness to the original message it seeks to carry forward, and/or (2) in its embodiment and promotion of conversion. The coherence of any community, any achievement of common meaning, is never a secure possession
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