Father Antonio Spadaro Archives

Vatican article on ‘ecumenism of hate’ in U.S. was long overdue
- Commentary
- August 2, 2017
Recently two intrepid souls, both of whom reportedly hold Pope Francis’s confidence, sought to advance a long-overdue conversation on the division of the Church in America along political lines. They’re Jesuit Father Antonio Spadaro, editor–in–chief of the Jesuit publication “La Civilità Cattolica”, and Presbyterian Rev. Marcelo Figueroa, editor–in–chief of the Argentinean edition of “L’Osservatore Romano”, and whatever the gaps in details may be, the heart of their argument is long overdue.
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A note on the ‘ecumenism of hate’ and papal rhetoric
- Commentary
- July 31, 2017
Jesuit Father Antonio Spadaro and Reverend Marcelo Figueroa caused controversy by using the expression “ecumenism of hate” in a La Civiltà Cattolica article to describe the relations between Catholics and Evangelicals in the United States. It’s not fair to criticize Spadaro/Figueroa for inflammatory rhetoric without conceding that it is of a piece with the pontifical style which they are proposing as a model for Christian engagement. And it would be dismissive to consider that style to be just loose talk, without a pastoral purpose.
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‘Ecumenism of hate’ unjustly defames real Catholic/Evangelical dialogue
- Commentary
- July 28, 2017
A recent article in a journal with close ties to the Vatican published an article asserting an unhealthy “ecumenism of conflict” between Catholics and Evangelicals on the right, claiming they are pushing a dangerous theocratic vision on America. However, those who have carried forward the fairly successful Evangelical-Catholic ecumenism in the United States have been some of the best and the brightest of mainstream Catholics.
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Not being afraid of controversy is part of Civilta Cattolica’s mission

La Civilta Cattolica at times has courted controversy, because it tries to engage culture, which by itself can lead to unpopular opinions. According to the journal’s website, part of its mission is to “read and interpret” current events and trends in culture, history, science, art and politics “in the light of the Christian faith offered by the magisterium of the church.”

Two (strong) views on blockbuster essay about U.S. religion, politics

On Monday, Crux’s weekly radio show on the Catholic Channel, “Crux of the Matter,” featured a conversation between Austen Ivereigh and Thomas Williams about a recent article by two close friends of Pope Francis asserting there’s an “ecumenism of hate” in the United States in ties between Evangelical Fundamentalists and “Catholic Integralists.” This is a transcript of their exchange.

Agree or not, it’s good to know what Vatican insiders think of America

Analysis

July 16, 2017

An article by two friends of Pope Francis arguing that a ‘Manichean vision’ underlies ‘a surprising ecumenism … between Evangelical fundamentalists and Catholic Integralists’ in the United States may be debatable, but it illustrates a time-honored Vatican take on America that neither this pope nor his advisers invented. (As a footnote, we might want to slow down before blaming the US bishops.)