Washington Theological Consortium - EcuNote #19 (August 2003)
Authored by Rev. John Ford, CSC, STD.

CHRIST IN THE MARGINS: ICONS AND BIOGRAPHIES by Robert Lentz, REFLECTIONS by Edwina Gateley. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2003. Pp. 144. Cloth, $25.00. This attractive book is a glossy-paper gallery of 41 icons, each accompanied by a brief biographical note about the person portrayed. In additions to depictions of Jesus, Mary and canonized saints, there are portraits of people who might be considered "canonizable" (Cardinal Bernardin, César Chávez, et al.) and others not usually considered "iconizable" (Steven Biko, Albert Einstein, et al.). The icons are grouped into eight sections; each section is accompanied by a theological reflection that incorporates biographical material from the lives of the iconized along with Gateley's poignant ministerial experiences. This coffee-table-style-book is not intended to be a casual "page-turner" but a volume that inspires meditation and commitment.

THE MORAL VISION OF CÉSAR CHÁVEZ. By Frederick John Dalton. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2003. Pp. viii + 200. Paper, $20.00. César Chávez (1927-1993), the charismatic and courageous founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW), fought an up-hill battle in his attempt to gain just wages and healthy working conditions for migrant farm-workers. Although the story of these struggles has been widely told, this biography emphasizes the "moral vision" of Chávez, for whom the UFW was a combination of familia and comunidad. Unlike most labor-leaders, Chávez patterned his life-style after the poverty of St. Francis of Assisi and his union-strategy employed the non-violent tactics of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Nonetheless, Chávez had his flaws and made mistakes: his followers sometimes found his moral vision too demanding and his administration of the UFW was sometimes erratic. In sum, this captivating biography provides a portrait of a unique labor-leader whose life was motivated by a deep spirituality.

Mitzi J. Budde, "Differences in Clergy Codes of Ethics: An Ecumenical Perspective," ECUMENICAL TRENDS 32/6 (June 2003) 9-14, looks at "clergy confidentiality" in light of the recent ecumenical agreements of several mainline churches for "full communion" and "interchangeability of clergy." Using examples from the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Presbyterian Church and the Episcopal Church, Budde points out that clergy ethics vary with denominational ecclesiology and rely on different sources that are variously implicit, evolving or even contradictory. If ideally clergy confidentiality should be absolute, in fact there are exceptions that are sometimes mandated by civil law and at other times necessary to prevent serious harm. This article is useful for anyone concerned about clergy confidentiality.

Gregory Baum, "Goodbye to Catholic Ireland?," THE ECUMENIST 40/2 (Spring 2003) 15-18, compares the recent phenomenon of secularization in Ireland to the similar experience of Québec after the Second Vatican Council. While it seems impossible to finger a single cause, a number of factors can be identified: economic development, popular resentment of ecclesiastical power, scandals involving clergy, rapid modernization, etc. What is evident in both these once largely Roman Catholic areas is a secular mindset among the young and a dramatic decline in church attendance and religious vocations.

Bob Scott, "Faith and Order: a 75-Year Journey," ECUMENISM 150 (June 2003) 4-6, provides a thumb-nail sketch of the history and achievements of "Faith and Order," along with links to web-sites of the World Council of Churches for further information.

Henri Boulad, "Is Spirituality Replacing Religion?" ECUMENISM 150 (June 2003) 15-21, in a wide-ranging discussion points out how people in the 21st century are seeking peace, tolerance and reconciliation, while some followers of institutional religions are espousing various types of fundamentalism, apparently out of fear of the prophetic, the charismatic, and the mystical. Among Boulad's punch lines: "Atheism has called an arthritic church into question."

THE ECUMENICAL REVIEW 55/2 (April 2003) explores the topic of "Religion and Violence" from Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, as well as Christian perspectives.

Consortium Communications Director Jenny Wade would like to note the following upcoming ecumenical events:

"What's So Scary About Religious Freedom" a presentation by Joseph
Grieboski, president of the Institute for Religion and Public Policy-- for
the Friends of the Consortium. The presentation will take place on
Thursday, October 9 at the Cosmos Club at 7:00 PM and will include
refreshments.

"Divine and Human Action in an Emergent World" a series of presentations
that discuss the relationship between Science and Religion by theologians Dr. Ilia Delio [WTU] and Dr. Cynthia Crysdale [CUA] and scientists Dr. Lawrence Fagg [CUA] and Dr. Bob Uluanowicz [University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]. All presenters are members of the Consortium Science and Religion group. The event will be held Saturday, November 8 from 9:30 to 3:30 PM at the Washington Theological Union.

To register for either or both events, please contact the Consortium office at wtc@washtheocon.org or 202-832-2675.

The North American Academy of Ecumenists will meet from September 26-28 at Villa Saint-Martin in Montreal to discuss “Christ and Culture Revisited.” Registration forms are available at http://www.electronicchurch.org/NAAE, or, for more information, please contact Andree Thivierge at the Canadian Center for Ecumenism at 514-937-9176.