Comments on: New Jesuit superior general on relations with Rome

By: Michael J. Iafrate

Michael J. Iafrate — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:14 +0000

Not familiar w/ Rahner’s chess club analogy. Have a reference?

By: Rafael Pozos

Rafael Pozos — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:02:18 +0000

The relationship between the Pope and the Jesuits may initially have been one of mission, however over time it’s evolved to be more like a domestic partnership in certain ways. The biggest way is in how close the two institutions really are, yet apart. For example, the Vatican routinely deals with issues of Italian politics — which they have been ensnared in for eons, whereas the Jesuits have a more global view based on their experience. That is going to cause some friction.

By: SMB

SMB — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:00:38 +0000

Sure, Michael. I think the comparison rather exaggerates the status of the Jesuits, but it is much better than Karl Rahner’s ‘chess club’ analogy.

By: Policraticus

Policraticus — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 03:12:45 +0000

Michael,

You’re probably right. I may have been reading too much into it.

By: Michael J. Iafrate

Michael J. Iafrate — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 02:28:12 +0000

Not sure he was intending to make an analogy on the level of systematic theology, or one that would have to make reference to head-body language. He was just making a comparison.

By: Policraticus

Policraticus — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:31:56 +0000

SMB,

Yes, I, too, see the ambiguity with regard to the analogy. Could be taken as head-body, but perhaps also as equals.

By: SMB

SMB — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:15:06 +0000

Fr. Nicolas’ comments are interesting. I find the analogy of a married couple a bit odd, however. I suppose it could be justified in terms of Pauline ‘head-body’ theology. But I thought the SJ’s special relationship to the Pope was one of ‘mission’ (we go where the Pope sends us), rather than a kind of domestic partnership.