NATIONAL CATHOLiC REPORTER MAY 20, 2005

NATION 5

Editor of Jesuits' America magazineforced to resign under Vatican pressure

By TOM ROBERTSandJOHN L. ALLEN JR.Kansas City, Mo., and Rome

Jesmt Fr. Thomas J. Reese, editor forthe past seven years of America maga-zine, a premier publication of Catholicthought and opinion, has resigned atthe request of his order following yearsof pressure for his ouster from the Vat-ican Congregation for the Doctrine ofthe Faith.

The resignation caps five years oftensions and exchanges among the con-gregation, which was headed at thetime by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger,now Pope Benedict XVI, the Jesuitsand Reese, according to sources closeto the magazine who asked not to beidentified.

A release from the magazine May 6,which did not mention the forcedouster, announced that the new editoris Jesuit Fr. Drew Christiansen, whohas served as associate editor.

Ironically, Reese received the newsthat the Jesuits found the debate"imwinnable," according to onesource, when he returned to the maga-zine's New York headquarters fromRome, where he had covered the con-clave that elected Ratzinger as pope.

The news of his ouster b ro i ^ t a rangeof reaction — from conservatives whovoiced understanding of the Vaticanaction to moderates and liberals whoexpressed dismay (see accompanyingstory). In addition. Commonweal maga-zine posted an editorial on its Web site,www.cominonwealniagazine.org.May 10 that is a blistering criticism oftheVatican move against Reese.

"Forty years after the Second VaticanCouncil, which did so much to enfran-

Jesuit Fr. ThomasReese, left, talkswith Cardinal AveryDulles during theJune 2001 U.S.bishops' meeting inAtlanta.

—CNS/Michael Alexander

chise lay Catholics and to encouragetheir engagement with the great intel-lectual resources of the church, it isinexcusable that the [Congregation forthe Doctrine ofthe Faith] would censora m£^izine as respectful and responsiveto the church's tradition as America. Ata time when elites are as polarized asthey are now in the American church,Reese's dismissal will embolden thoseeager to pm^e 'dissenters,' while mak-ing it nearly impossible for a reasonedcritique ofthe agenda of church reform-ers to be heard by those who need mostto hear," wrote the editors of thebiweekly review of public affairs, reli-gion , literature and the arts.

"Those calling for the strict regula-

tion of Catholic discourse argue thatpublic dissent from church doctrine cre-ates scandal, confusing or misleadingthe 'simple faithful.' What really givesscandal to people in the pews, however,is the arbitrary and self-serving exer-cise of ecclesiastical authority. What theCDF has done to Thomas Reese andAmerica is the scandal. Is it possiblethat not one bishop has the courage tosay so? That too is a scandal."

Contacted on bacl^roimd, a Vaticanofficial said he could not discuss thecase.

Over the course of a five-yearexchange between the doctrinal con-gregation and the Jesuits, the Vaticancongregation had raised objections to

various editorial choices atunder Reese's leadership, including:

• An essay exploring moral argu-ments for the approval of condoms inthe context of HIV/AIDS;

• Several critical analyses ofthe doc-trinal congregation's September 2000document Dominus Iesus, on religiouspluralism;

• An editorial criticizing what Amer-ica called a lack of due process in thecongregation's procedures for theinvest^ation of theologians;

• An essay about homosexual priests;• A guest essay from U.S. Rep. David

Obey of Wisconsin, challenging sug-

Continued on Page 6

Ouster troubles prominent Catholic journalistsBy ARTHUR JONES

Those who serve or have served aseditors of Catholic publications havevery decided views on Jesuit Fr. TomReese's forced departure, and the secre-cy surrounding what transpired andthe grounds for the decision.

At U.S. Ca?/2o/ic magazine, publishedby the Claretians, executive editorMeinrad Scherer-Emunds said, "Theforced resignation of Fr. Tom Reesefrom the editorship at America maga-zine is a sad, disappointing and to somedegree shocking development.

"It causes great concern for the edi-torial freedom and mission of Catholicpublications in general and for publi-cations that are owned and supportedby religious orders in particular. Hereat U.S. Catholic magazine we have theutmost respect for Father Tom and hisleadership at America magazine. Dur-ing his tenure we have experiencedhim as a most supportive colleague andfriend and have on several occasionssou^ t out his coimsel and used him asan important professional resource.

"Father Tom is no loose cannon andno flaming liberal or radical," saidScherer-Emunds, "but a trusted and

knowle(^eable expert on a broad rangeof Catholic issues. In his job at Ameri-ca magazine he has proved himself as amoderate and extremely fair-mindededitor who has taken meticulous careto balance any articles on controver-sial topics with perspectives from alldifferent viewpoints. That alwaysincluded a clear representa-tion ofthe church's teachingon any given issue. That,nonetheless, he is beingforced out for providing thatkind of forum for intelligentdebate on issues of concernto American Catholics todaysends a chilling message.

"Regardless of their posi-tions on the various issueswithin the articles thatcaught the attention of theVatican, few American Catholics sup-port a prohibition of a discussion ofthese important church issues. I don'tknow whether, after he became pope,Benedict XVI put any further pressureon the Jesuits to enforce this order. Butits execution in early May does makeone wonder if the much-touted rein-vention of Cardinal tJoseph] Ratzingerfrom doctrinal watchdog to a 'kinder.

'Father Tom isno loose cannonand no flaming

liberal orradical.'

—MeinradScherer-Emunds

gentler Pope Benedict' is for real."I also find it troubling that the deci-

sion that led to the resignation ofFather Tom seems to be accompaniedby restrictions that prevent him, thestaff of America, and Jesuit officials tostate clearly and with attribution whatexactly happened. Why are those

involved required to talk offthe record? The lack of hon-est conversation about theprocess is imfortunate anddoes not bode well for anadult converaation about theissues that were at the heartof this conflict.

"Unfortunately, the recentdevelopments at Americamagazine are part of a largerpattern. America magazineis not the only publication

that has been subjected to an investi-gation by the Congregation for the Doc-trine ofthe Faith that put pressure onthe superiors of religious orders to gettheir publishing ministries 'in line.'Feel free to mention our own experi-ence of 2002." (See "Vatican takes U.S.Catholic magazine to task," NCR, Dec.13,2002, which resulted from the mag-azine's pubiication of a cover article

headlined "Call waiting; Women whowant to be priests.")

Peter Steinfels is the author of therecent book, A People Adrift: The Crisisofthe Roman Catholic Church in Amer-ica, which views the U.S. Catholicchurch as going either into a steepdecline or through an unprecedentedtransformation. Steinfels, a formersenior religion reporter for The NewYork Times, former editor of Common-weal, and a current Times columnist,said, "I think Tom Reese did a terrificjob as editor of America. I think hemade the magazine lively. I think hehad a rai^e of perspectives in the mag-azine that disconcerted people allacross the spectrum of Catholic opin-ion, and that was good.

"He developed the magazine's Website, and in terms of the Web site andhis own role as a commentator, he wasextremely valuable to other people inthe media in providing accurate infor-mation in a timely fashion aboutCatholic events.

"Often, when there'd be somethingin the news, Tom would send out analert with the pertinent canon law ref-

Continued on Page 6

NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER MAY 20, 2005

6 NATION

Continued from Page 6

gestions that the church should refuseCommunion to Catholic politicianswho do not vote as a number of bishopsbelieve they should vote.

In every instance, however, the piecesrepresented just a portion of covers^e ofthe subject in America, which alwayspublished opposing points of view.

According to several sources in theUnited States and Rome, the communi-cation about Reese's fate was carried onbetween the Congregation for the Doc-trine of the Faith and the superior gen-eral ofthe Jesuits, Dutch Fr. Peter-HansKolvenbach, with the content thenrelayed to Reese's Jesuit superiors in theUnited States. Althoi^ critics of Reeseboth in the United States and Rome haveoccasionally accused him of an anti-hier-archical mentality, supporters noted intheir responses to the congregation thatover his seven years as editor, Americaroutinely published weighty pieces byprominent members ofthe hier^archy, atone stage including Ratzinger himself.

In February 2002, the Congregationfor the Doctrine ofthe Faith proposedcreating a three-member commissionof censors for the magazine, though theidea was never implemented. Accord-ing to sources, the congregation toldthe Jesuits that the action was inresponse to concern from bishops inthe United States.

Sources said no bishops were identi-fied by name and that Reese was neverdirectly contacted. According to a

Continued from Page 6

erences and so on. I think those, andhis commentary, which was from anindependent source and generally judi-cious, was a real service to the Catholicchurch. I think this is a distressii^ andcounterproductive development."

Asked if he thought the timing ofReese's ouster was a strong signal froma new pontificate, Steinfels continued: "Ihave big question marks about that.This was clearly something in the worksfor a long time. Stories were out there awhile ago that, after examining com-plaints [against Reesel, thin^ were OK.A lot of people are saying Tom is eitherthe last casualty of Cardinal Ratzingeror the first casualty of Benedict XVI.

"Bottom line: I'm waiting for a seriesof signs, including important appoint-ments, before reaching any clear conclu-sion [on the direction ofthe new pontifi-cate]. It's at most a straw in the wind."

Our Sunday Visitor, a weekly news-paper, carried its opinion in an edito-rial headlined, "What we need from theCatholic press," and with a secondheadline that declares: "The church isnot about opinion, but about truth."

"As editor of America, Father Reesepursued a point-counterpoint stylewith regard to some of the most con-troversial issues of the day. It is amodel of journalism that is deeplyAmerican: Its assumption ^that everyissue has two sides, and if we hearwhat advocates of each side have tosay, we can make up our own mindsabout the issue. This model assumesnot objective truth, but rather thatdecisions are best made by weighingvarious ai^uments and coming to ourown conclusions," the editorial states.It asserts, for instance, that an argu-ment defending gay marriage — a posi-tion that is "simply wrong from thechurch's perspective" should not begiven equal status with the argumentthat gay marriage is illicit.

"Catholics have little problem find-

source close to the magazine, Jesuitsuperiors said some bishops wereupset that Reese often commented onchurch matters for general media andthat such commentary should be sole-ly the province of bishops.

Reese often made himself available tomedia during the bishops' meetings andother special church events to explainaspects of church life and the intricaciesof the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bish-ops. He is the author of three highlyrespected studies of the Catholic hier-archy: Archbishop: Inside the PowerStructure of the American CatholicChurch; A Flock of Shepherds: TheNational Conference of Catholic Bishops;and Inside the Vatican: The Politics andOrganization ofthe Catholic Church.

The entire matter of his discipliningwas handled "by chain of command,and the Jesuits were able to hold off forfive years, but in the end, saw it asunwinnable. It was either Reese goesor they would appoint a board of cen-sors," said one source.

America, though clearly left-leaningin some of its editorial stances, waswidely viewed as a moderate publica-tion that gave vent to a broad spectrumof views. Among its contributors weretop theologians, a number of bishops,and, in one instance, Ratzinger himselfin an article published in dialogue withCardinal Walter Kasper, another Ger-man cardinal. Over the years, the mag-azine has also published dozens of arti-cles by noted conservative CardinalAvery Dulles, a Jesuit.

Though pressure for Reese's ousterclearly came from the Coi^regation forthe Doctrine of the Faith, to whatdegree Ratzinger was personallyinvolved in the decision is not known.

Some confusion over whether Reesewas ousted or voluntarily left occurredwhen Catholic News Service reportedthat Jesuit Fr. Jose M. de Vera,spokesman for the order in Rome, saidReese had decided to resign after dis-cussing the situation with his superiorsand following Cardinal Ratzinger'selection as pope.

According to a number of Jesuitsclose to the situation, Reese, aware ofthe discussions between the Jesuitsand the congregation, indeed decidedto resign when Ratzinger was electedPope Benedict XVI. He reportedly toldKolvenbach and his superiors in theUnited States of his intent. However,when he infonned the staff at America,the other editors "were unanimouslyand adamantly against it," accordingto one source. They asked Reese toreconsider or at least to "take a fewmonths off and rest and then see howthe new papacy developed."

Reese, following that advice, calledFr. Brad Schaeffer, Jesuit conferencepresident. Schaeffer visited Reese thenext day and, according to a sourceknowledgeable about the conversation,"told him that Kolvenbach hadreceived a letter from CDF in mid-March demanding his resignation"and that Kolvenbach "had concludedthat fighting it would do no good." No

ing arguments that debate or dissentfrom church teaching. They find themin the secular media from which theydraw most of their information aboutthe church and the world," Our Sun-day Visitor editors write.

"What they need is for the Catholicpress to be faithful to its mission: Toengage society itself in debate about thecritical questions of human existenceand offer Catholics the tools to intellectu-ally challenge the culture while defend-ir^ Catholic teaching and the Gospel."

A similar point of view was advancedby Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, a notedconservative and editor in chief of themonthly magazine First Things.

Neuhaus said there was significantdispleasure with America magazineamong some in the curia, though hedeclined to name names.

"Do I know that there were people inpositions of influence in the church whohad, for a considerable time, beenexpressing their displeasure with somethills that were being done? Yeah, Iknow that and I have no doubt that [JesuitPeter-Hans] Kolvenbach knew it and soforth, and that in all the t h i i ^ they haveto take into consideration they decidedthat it would be better for the magazineand Tom that he do somethit^ else.

The principal reasons for discontent,he said, "and I consider Tom a friend, letme imderscore—but I think he made abig editorial mistake in this respect:that he thought being balanced and fairrequired the publication of freestandingarticles that were clearly in oppositionto church teaching and policy."

In Neuhaus's opinion, "Catholic pub-lications with intellectual seriousness"are obliged to engage alternative andopposing positions, but not in a waythat suggests that a position support-ing church teaching and one opposii^it "are somehow on an equal footingand that the magisterial position issimply one opinion among others."

A 1990 instruction to theologiansfrom the Congregation for the Doc-

trine of the Faith, then headed byRatzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI,said that "Catholic thinkers and intel-lectuals do have a legitimate, criticalrole to play in the refinement andexplanation ofthe church's teaching,"said Neuhaus, "but there are certainthings you don't do if you want to playthat role: You don't publicly agitate,you don't take a neutral position withrespect to the magisterium, and it justwasn't clear to a lot of people that thatwas America's intent."

All discussion of important and con-troversial issues, especially controver-sial ones, accordir^ to Neuhaus, shouldbe aimed at convincing others of thechurch's teaching, of "gaining assent"for the teaching, even if a writer or a pub-lication provides opposing ai^uments.

Helen Osman, president ofthe boardof directors ofthe Catholic Press Asso-ciation, said, "Personally, if what I amreading is the complete story, I am sad-dened that this is where the dialoguehas gone. I do hope that the congrega-tion and the Jesuits continue to discusstheir concerns in the spirit of Christiancharity." She said it was unknownwhether any action would be taken bythe association, of which America is amember. Reese is a member of thepress association board.

John Wilkins, retired editor of Th£Tablet of London, said, "I am shockedthat Fr. Tom Reese has been forced outof the editorial chair of America. Foryears I have been a reader and admir-er of the joumal. During Reese's edi-torship it has seemed to me to exhibitaU the Jesuit virtues — intellectualdaring, engagement with the world,courteous encounter with opposingviews, aU based on an obvious Catholicorthodoxy.

"As editor of the London Tablet, Iconsidered that America set a standardI had to emulate.

"There are basically two ways ofrunning the Catholic media. They canbe controlled, like L 'Osservatore

one who spoke to NCR was able to givethe precise language of the letter andNCR was unable to obtain a copy.

Whatever the chronology, it isbeyond dispute that Reese resignedbecause of Vatican pressure.

In the May 6 release, Reese said, "Iam proud of what my colleagues and Idid with the magazine, and I am grate-ful to them, our readers and our bene-factors for the support they gave me. Ilook forward to taking a sabbaticalwhile my provincial and I determinethe next phase of my Jesuit ministry."

Christiansen, an accomplished edu-cator, writer and editor, previouslywas a senior feUow at the WoodstockTheological Center at Georgetown Uni-versity. He was director ofthe Office ofInternational Justice and Peace for theU.S. Catholic Conference from 1991 to1998 and served as counselor for inter-national affairs for the bishops untilDecember 2004.

"I know I am speaking for all the edi-tors in saying that we are sorry to seeTom go," said Christiansen in tiie May6 release. "Fr. Reese greatly improvedthe magazine, adding news coverage,color and the Web edition.... By invit-ing articles that covered different sidesof disputed issues, Fr. Reese helpedmake America a forum for intelligentdiscussion of questions facing thechurch and the country today."

[Tom Roberts is editor of National CatholicReporter. John L. Alien Jr. is NCR Romecorrespondent.]

Romano. In that case they are trans-mission belts for the authorities, giv-ing the official line, and they are readfor this reason. Or, they can be free,subject, to marketplace pressures.What one then expects from them isbalanced information and a forum fordebate and discussion. They have toreflect public opinion in the church,which, according to Pius XII, is essen-tial to its life.

"Tom Reese seemed to me to get thebest of both worlds. I'm alarmed thatsome American bishops and JosephRatzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, didnot think so."

Paul Baumann, editor of Common-weal, said that Reese's firing is "bewil-dering. It seems to me hard to justifyby anything we can readily ascertain.It s t r i e s me as terribly implausiblethat America under Tom's editorshipwas in the business of underminingCatholic teaching. If anything, quitethe opposite.

"It's very disturbing," he said. SinceAmerica is a church-sponsored andchurch-funded magazine, he added, "itwould appear that the hierarchy wantsstricter control over what goes out inthat magazine. They feel they'U get thatby removing Tom Reese."

Asked if this was an augury of thenew pontificate, Baumann said, "I don'tknow. I hope not. I'd hate to think that'sthe case. One ofthe reactions I think ismost interesting is that a good manypeople one might describe as very mid-dle-of-the-road or even somewhat con-servative on theological issues, onissues of church reform, have expressedto me real shock over this.

"This is the sort of thing, it seems tome, that in some ways can radicalizepeople with otherwise very moderateviews."

[Arthur Jones is NCR editor at large. His e-mail address is arthurjones@comcast.net.NCR editor Tom Roberts contributedreporting to this article.]