Ethan Walker
Liberal Catholicism, influenced by classical liberalism, promotes the separation of church and state, freedom of religion, expanded suffrage, and broad-based education. Liberal Catholicism was initiated in France by Hugues Felicité Robert de Lamennais, with the support of Jean-Baptiste Henri Lacordaire, Charles Forbes René de Montalembert, and Olympe-Philippe Gerbet, Bishop of Perpignan. The Jesuits, one of the Catholic Church's most influential orders, are known for their progressive and liberal viewpoints. They are committed to social justice, liberation theology, and serving the poor and oppressed. The Jesuits have been involved in various controversies, including accusations of political connivance and involvement with slavery.
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What You'll Learn
- Jesuits: Progressive and liberal viewpoints, fourth vow of service, and a commitment to justice
- Franciscans: Emphasis on evangelical poverty, varied success across branches
- Benedictines: Focus on community, work, and prayer, preserving Greek and Roman culture post-Rome
- Dominicans: Order of Preachers, associated with Angelicum University in Rome
- Liberal Catholicism: A political movement for freedom of religion, education, and assembly
Jesuits: Progressive and liberal viewpoints, fourth vow of service, and a commitment to justice
Jesuits, members of the Society of Jesus, are known for their progressive and liberal viewpoints, a fourth vow of service, and a commitment to justice. They are often regarded as one of the most liberal Catholic orders.
Progressive and Liberal Viewpoints
The Jesuits have been considered too liberal by some conservative Catholics. This perception may be due to their stance on various controversial issues. For example, Jesuits are known for their commitment to human rights, workers' rights, concern for the poor, and education. They minister to all people, including those who identify as homosexual, the poor, and those considered lower in society. Additionally, they encourage women to pursue leadership roles and promote full participation in the liturgy.
Jesuits also value academic excellence and the production of great theologians and spiritual leaders. They encourage an intense spirituality among the laity, which some view as a threat to the hierarchy. Their defence of a university's right to air all opinions, even those differing from the church, has likely contributed to their reputation for liberalism.
Fourth Vow of Service
The Jesuits are unique among Catholic orders in that they offer their members the opportunity to take a fourth vow of obedience to the pope with regard to missions. This vow, taken after a period of service as a priest, expresses the Jesuits' strong attachment to the Church and their willingness to serve wherever the Church deems necessary. The text of the vow states, "...I further promise a special obedience to the sovereign pontiff in regard to the missions, according to the same Apostolic Letters and the Constitutions."
Commitment to Justice
Jesuit schools and communities are deeply committed to social justice and the promotion of justice is considered an absolute requirement of their faith. This commitment is articulated in the teachings of Saint Ignatius, who emphasised that love should be demonstrated through deeds rather than just words. Jesuit schools strive to create a safe and healthy environment for all, foster global citizenship, and care for creation. They encourage alumni to work towards social justice and narrowing the gap between different socioeconomic classes.
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Franciscans: Emphasis on evangelical poverty, varied success across branches
Franciscans are a Catholic religious order that emphasizes following the evangelical commandment of poverty. The concept, often referred to as "Lady Poverty", is about embracing a life of austerity and detachment from worldly possessions and standards. This idea stems from the teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi, who believed in emulating the poverty of Jesus Christ and spreading his message through a simple life, all while adhering to Catholic doctrine.
The Franciscan order was authorized by Pope Gregory IX to have non-members care for their material needs, with the friars owning nothing and only utilizing what was given to them, as per their vow of poverty. This arrangement was later challenged by Pope John XXII, who asserted that the friars were not truly impoverished as all their needs were provided for, thus ending the structure that gave the appearance of Franciscan absolute poverty.
Within the Franciscan order, there were varying interpretations and successes in achieving this evangelical poverty. Some friars, known as the Zelanti, led simpler and more isolated lives, strictly observing the poverty enjoined by the testament of Saint Francis. On the other hand, some lived in convents, partaking in liturgical activities and devoting themselves to study and preaching, which required certain resources.
The Franciscan chapter in Perugia in 1322 defended their interpretation of apostolic poverty, asserting that Christ and the Apostles, in showing the way of perfection, possessed nothing either individually or in common. This perspective was shared by the Spirituals, a 13th-century group led by Peter Olivi, who took more extreme positions that were seen as discrediting the notion of apostolic poverty.
Franciscans today continue to embrace "Lady Poverty" in various ways. For example, some may take private vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, while others may choose to live among the poor and serve them directly, as exemplified by the Catholic Worker house in Eugene, Oregon, founded by a lay Franciscan.
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Benedictines: Focus on community, work, and prayer, preserving Greek and Roman culture post-Rome
The Benedictines, also known as the Order of St. Benedict, are a monastic Catholic order that focuses on community, work, and prayer. The order is named after its founder, St. Benedict, who established the order's principles of stabilitas, conversatio morum, and obedience. These principles guide Benedictines in their daily lives, emphasising commitment to community, spiritual growth, and attentive listening.
Benedictines divide their days equally between prayer, study, and labour. Their prayers are canonical, and their labour includes household chores and creating spiritual materials, resources, and books. They also offer retreats and sell products to support their community. Benedictine monks are known for their presence in the administration and everyday life of colleges, such as Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina.
The Benedictines have a long history, dating back over 1500 years to around 480 AD. They played a crucial role in preserving the patrimony of Greek and Roman culture after the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th and 6th centuries. By sustaining this reservoir of knowledge, they ensured that the writings and literature of Ancient Greece and Rome were not lost during the Middle Ages.
The influence of the Benedictines extended to important figures in the early to high Middle Ages, such as Bede, Alcuin, Rabanus Maurus, and Anselm of Canterbury. In more recent times, Benedictine oblates have included social worker Dorothy Day and novelist Walker Percy.
The College of St. Scholastica, a Catholic Benedictine institution, emphasises values such as community, hospitality, respect, stewardship, and a love of learning. The Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota, are monastic women who seek God through a life of prayer and work, responding to the needs of the Church and the world through ministries in education, spirituality, health care, and the arts.
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Dominicans: Order of Preachers, associated with Angelicum University in Rome
The Catholic Church has many religious orders, each with its unique characteristics and contributions to the Church and society. One such order is the Dominicans, officially known as the Order of Preachers. The Dominicans are associated with the Angelicum University in Rome, one of the two most prestigious universities that grant pontifical degrees.
The Order of Preachers was founded by St. Dominic in the 13th century. The order is known for its emphasis on preaching and teaching, with a focus on gospel values. Dominicans are often well-versed in theology and philosophy, and they have made significant contributions to Catholic thought and scholarship throughout history. They are known for their intellectualism and dedication to study, which has earned them a reputation for being one of the more "liberal" Catholic orders.
The Dominicans have a long tradition of academic excellence and have produced many notable scholars, theologians, and saints. They have also been at the forefront of social justice issues within the Church, with some members advocating for progressive causes and critiquing Church teachings. For example, in the 20th century, some Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, like Sister Donna Quinn, felt empowered to criticize Church teachings and take stances on controversial issues such as abortion.
The Angelicum University, formally known as the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, is the Dominican order's flagship university in Rome. It is known for its strong academic programs in theology, philosophy, and canon law, among other disciplines. The university has produced many influential Catholic scholars and leaders and is known for its intellectual rigor and commitment to the Dominican tradition of study and preaching.
The Dominicans' association with Angelicum University reflects their dedication to scholarship and the pursuit of knowledge. The university serves as a hub for intellectual exchange and the development of new ideas within the Catholic Church, influenced by the Dominican order's liberal and progressive tendencies. While the Dominicans may be considered one of the more liberal Catholic orders, it is important to note that liberalism within Catholicism is a complex concept, influenced by historical and cultural contexts.
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Liberal Catholicism: A political movement for freedom of religion, education, and assembly
Liberal Catholicism is a political movement within the Catholic Church that advocates for the separation of church and state, freedom of religion, freedom of education, and freedom of assembly. It was particularly influential in the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in France, where it was initiated by Hugues Felicité Robert de Lamennais, along with several other political theorists.
The movement emphasized the exaltation of freedom as a primary value, seeking to reconcile the principles of Christian France with those derived from the French Revolution. This included demands for rights of local administration, expanded suffrage, universal freedom of conscience, freedom of the press, and the improvement or abolition of worship styles that were not in absolute submission to spiritual authority.
Liberal Catholicism faced significant opposition from the Catholic Church hierarchy, with Pope Gregory XVI, Pope Pius IX, and the First Vatican Council all issuing condemnations. Despite this, the movement persisted and influenced social, political, and religious life.
While Liberal Catholicism is distinct from theological liberalism or modernism, certain Catholic orders have been associated with progressive and liberal viewpoints. The Jesuits, for example, are known for their commitment to justice and their adoption of liberation theology, emphasizing concern for the poor and oppressed. They have also been criticized for their involvement in politics and their association with royal courts and the papacy.
Other orders, such as the Franciscans, Benedictines, and Dominicans, each have their unique characteristics and contributions to Catholicism, but they may vary in their level of liberalism or progressiveness.
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Frequently asked questions
Liberal Catholicism, influenced by classical liberalism, promotes the separation of church and state, freedom of religion, expanded suffrage, and broad-based education. The Jesuits are considered one of the most liberal Catholic orders, known for their progressive stances in religion and politics.
There are nearly 200 Jesuit-founded universities worldwide, including Marquette University, Boston College, Loyola University Chicago, and Georgetown University.
The Jesuits are Catholic missionaries, educators, and preachers. They are known for their commitment to social justice and their willingness to take on progressive viewpoints. They also have a "fourth vow" to work wherever the needs of the church and the world are most pressing, which has led them to undertake ministries in remote areas and emerging fields.
The Carmelites, particularly the Order of Discalced Carmelites (O.C.D.), are considered highly influential in the history of Catholic spirituality. The Jesuits and Carmelites are distinct from other Catholic orders that may be described as theologically progressive or liberal.
