knowability in Jesus Christ and his Church – this was a book that blessed and humbled me, though it also saddened me by the erosion of Christian commitment that it documents. John Twisleton


ON THE LEFT BANK OF THE TIBER


Gerald O’Collins SJ Gracewing, 320pp, pbk 978 085244 835 9, £12.99


Here we are introduced to a drama with a cast of thousands spanning centuries in its scope. Presented as the story of Gerald O’Collin’s 32-year sojourn at the Gregorian University in Rome and celebrating his period as Dean of the Faculty of Teology, it is a fascinating and enjoyable study of the eternal city itself. It is obvious that the author loved his time in Rome and because of that his genial style brings us into contact with the excitement of living at the heart of the most influential Church in the world. We are introduced to relatives and


students, academics and


theologians, bishops and cardinals, Curia and the Congregation for the Defence of the Faith (CDF). In each case we get a warm appreciation of the person, whether it be a niece of the author or his pontiff. In each case the encounter leads us into a larger landscape of history or theology or controversy. So when he tells us of the visit of Oscar Romero in 1980 he introduces us to Liberation Teology, the part played by Jesuits and others, and the responses of popes and the CDF. Te book is divided into ten chapters,


each of which reads like a short book. Some of these cover his friendships with local people, his family, visitors and his students. Others dealing with visitors to the Gregorian read like a catalogue of the most important and influential Christians of the past fiſty years. ‘Sooner or later the great, the good and the ugly fetch up in Rome’, he says as he introduces us to Gadamer, Lohse and Heaney. Anglican Archbishops, German theologians (Catholic and Reformed) and leaders of the great non-Christian faiths follow in the footsteps of those who have made their way to Rome since the days of Peter and Paul, Tertullian, Valentinus and Augustine.


Two chapters are outstanding. Te


chapter called ‘Tree Popes’ records his memories of Paul VI, John Paul I and John Paul II. His admiration and love of the last named is evident and is a valuable testimony to a man oſten (perhaps deliberately) misunderstood by our media. O’Collins presents us with an appreciation of


the


intellectual power, the pastoral motivation and uter dedication to Christ of a man who loves the people of God. But


this is not


hagiography. We see under the title ‘Tree Shadows’ an honest appraisal of the Pope’s dealings with Fr Arupe, the Jesuit General and of his failure to appreciate the contribution of Liberation Teology. Te longest chapter (40 pages), ‘Te


Dupuis Case’, is different in characer from the rest of the book and perhaps for that reason is the most fascinating. Troughout the book O’Collins comes over as genial and friendly, generous to all and fair minded to those with whom he differs. It therefore comes as a surprise when in this chapter we see his appraisal of the CDF. Here his style is indignant,


reasoned, logical and


diplomatic but his passion at the obvious injustice is evident. Fr Dupuis, a


resected


theologian,


received


notification from the CDF that his highly acclaimed book Toward a Christian Teology of Religious Pluralism contained ‘certain errors or doctrinal ambiguities’ regarding truths concerned with the Kingdom of God, the Church and the inspiration of the Bible. Fr Dupuis (a priest


in his late


seventies) is called upon to answer accusations made in fourteen theses and is given three months to do so. O’Collins takes up his


defence and exposes the loose, inaccurate and illogical document to a rigorous examination, showing it


to be selective in its use of


Scripture, contradictory to the teachings of Vatican II and at variance with the writings and sermons of John Paul II. Te document is shown to accuse Fr Dupuis of holding views that he has never held. O’Collins’ most serious argument is that the CDF has been cold and heartless, lacking in pastoral concern. I think that this is an important


chapter for a study of papal ecclesiology. Fr O’Collins does not deny the need for a body to advise the Teacher and Shepherd of all Christians but that body must not be seen as infallible. One might


St Paul’s Church, Manton -


Lay Minister & Community Development Worker £24,420 plus vicarage


The Parish of St. Pauls is situated in the North West corner of Nottinghamshire within the centre of a large housing estate with a diverse community.


This new Lay Minister role is full time equally divided between Lay Minister at St Paul’s and the Community Development Worker across the South East Ward. The main role, through mission and ministry, would be to seek justice for those in the community who are disadvantaged and deprived and to stabilise, support and grow the congregations by helping them to engage in mission and grow new disciples. The Lay Minister would be based in Manton and live in the current vicarage. It is envisaged that the Lay Minister would use the facilities offered by the Churches


Closing date for applications 27 June 2014 / Interviews will take place on 14 July 2014 For an informal discussion, please contact Archdeacon David Picken on 07917 690576 For an application pack please contact Jo Padmore on 01636 817206 or e mail


archdeaconspa@southwell.anglican.org or download from the diocesan website http://southwell.anglican.org/mission-ministry/job-vacancies/general-vacancies/


This post is subject to a satisfactory DBS criminal record check and there is a genuine occupational requirement for the holder of this post to be a Christian.


June 2014 ■ newdirections ■ 23


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