OF MANY THINGS PUBLISHED BY JESUITS OF THE UNITED STATES t is hard to believe that the day has menical encounters, the Rev. Martin E. EDITOR IN CHIEF come. We have been looking for- Marty sees conversation among differ- Drew Christiansen, S.J. Iward to America’s 100th anniver- ent denominations of Christians to be sary for several years and planning for privileged moments where we have EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT the event for three years. During the learned to take responsibility for one MANAGING EDITOR past year, we have been re-publishing a another. In the 21st century, he argues, Robert C. Collins, S.J. sampler of contributions from some of Christians must be prepared to see the EDITORIAL DIRECTOR our more famous authors and a series face of the other in the Muslim and the Karen Sue Smith of historical pieces about some of our secularist as well. Catholics and ONLINE EDITOR more colorful predecessors to share Protestants must also come face to face Maurice Timothy Reidy with you. with spiritual seekers. They have to In this issue we bring that historical reckon too how they can overcome the CULTURE EDITOR James Martin, S.J. retrospective to its conclusion. The his- fact that they still remain “as distant as torian Charles Morris, author of ever from each other in separate gath- LITERARY EDITOR American Catholic, reviews the chang- erings at the Lord’s Table, the Patricia A. Kossmann ing currents of editorial opinion Eucharist.” POETRY EDITOR through the decades of America’s pub- One of the fields in which James S. Torrens, S.J. lication. James T. Keane, S.J., and Jim Protestants and Catholics, Jews and ASSOCIATE EDITORS McDermott, S.J., who have been Muslims, often come together with Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J. responsible for much archival work spiritual seekers is care for the Earth. George M. Anderson, S.J. over the last couple of years, each adds In her essay on Christology, Elizabeth Dennis M. Linehan, S.J. Jim McDermott, S.J. a final note. With an ironic eye, Mr. Johnson, C.S.J., argues that our height- Matt Malone, S.J. Keane exposes to view some of our ened awareness of the natural world James T. Keane, S.J. “hits and misses.” allows theology “to play melodies about Peter Schineller, S.J. Conscious of the lacunae in our the cosmos that have not been heard ASSISTANT EDITOR archives, Father McDermott has for centuries.” She points out how Francis W. Turnbull, S.J. assembled a selection of reminiscences “earthy” Jesus’ ministry was and how DESIGN AND PRODUCTION by former editors. Years from now his- his death released “an earthy hope” Stephanie Ratcliffe torians will be praising his name for because the resurrection embraces all filling in gaps in our records. (You can creation. BUSINESS DEPARTMENT hear current editors share their stories Helen Prejean, C.S.J., reflects on PUBLISHER with Tim Reidy on our weekly podcast how her own personal vocation as an Jan Attridge at www.americamagazine.org/podcast.) activist against the death penalty and CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER In his essay on the shape of the for reconciliation of victims and Lisa Pope church to come, Timothy Radcliffe, offenders has expanded in the current O.P., asks, “What sort of dynamic of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, which MARKETING Eryk Krysztofiak interaction with the world would let joins the stream of all Christians who the church flourish?” “Like a tree con- follow, imitate and embody Christ. She ADVERTISING Julia Sosa fined in the angle of a rock,” he writes, invites us all to take the ride when we the church has found itself “cramped” hear “the cry of Christ” calling us on. 106 West 56th Street into ideological positions that have pre- “If it is not scary and surprising and an New York, NY 10019-3803 vented it from flourishing. Ironically, adventure all at the same time,” she Ph: 212-581-4640; Fax: 212-399-3596 much of the cramping in the church writes, “it is not the call of the Gospel comes from an unexamined of Jesus.” E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] Enlightenment mentality. The This small anthology is our thanks Web site: www.americamagazine.org. Enlightenment set teachers over the to you our readers, authors and bene- Customer Service: 1-800-627-9533 unenlightened. In the 21st century, factors. We hope that like the blossoms © 2009 America Press, Inc. Father Radcliffe points out, learning is of spring, it offers you an anticipation dialogical, so preaching and teaching of the rich offerings to come in Cover: The story of America, by the will be conversational. America’s second century. editors, from our Web site. Design: In surveying the last 50 years of ecu- DREW CHRISTIANSEN, S.J. Stephanie Ratcliffe CONTENTS www.americamagazine.org VOL. 200 NO.12, WHOLE NO. 4852 APRIL 13, 2009 ARTICLES 21 THE SHAPE OF THE CHURCH TO COME A post-Enlightenment future Timothy Radcliffe 27 AN EARTHY CHRISTOLOGY ‘For God so loved the cosmos’ Elizabeth A. Johnson 32 NEW HABITS OF THOUGHT Ecumenical conversations and encounters Martin E. Marty 36 RIDE THE CURRENT Learning to hear God’s call Helen Prejean 21 38 THE FIRST 50 YEARS The emergence of a Catholic voice Charles R. Morris 50 OOPS! Now and then America got it wrong James T. Keane 56 OUR BACK PAGES Reminiscences of America’s editors and staff Edited by Jim McDermott COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS 4 Editorial At the Frontiers 38 6 Editorial Announcement: April 17,1909 9 Greetings From the Holy Father 10 Letters of Greeting 64 100 Years in Pictures 77 Associates Roll Call ON THE WEB ON THE WEB For our centennial: A video history of America, and a slideshow of images from a century of Catholic journalism. Plus, members of the editorial staff share memories on our podcast, and a digital copy of America’s first issue. Some of our regular features appear this week only in the Web edition. 50 All at americamagazine.org. EDITORIAL At the Frontiers s we celebrate America‘s 100 years of publication, should be a paramount public responsi- we praise God for inspiring and sustaining this bility. As the council wrote, “In our Aministry for so long. We also recall with apprecia- times a special obligation binds us to tion our distinguished predecessors and give thanks to you, make ourselves the neighbor of abso- our readers and benefactors, for your continuing encour- lutely every person, and of actively help- agement and support. Great anniversaries also invite us to ing him” (“Pastoral Constitution on the dream about the future. Part of our dream is that all those Church in the Modern World,” No. 27). who walk the frontier where the church meets the world— With the church, we remain committed the frontier where Pope Benedict XVI has asked the Jesuits to confront “whatever is opposed to human life”—not only to minister—will frequent our pages. “murder, genocide, abortion, euthanasia” and torture, but We dream, too, that even more than in the past, also “subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment,” America, like Catholic colleges and universities, will be a ethnic cleansing, human trafficking and unjust working place where the church will do its thinking in open dia- conditions. logue, free of fear. For as the great Dominican Thomas During its first 100 years, America witnessed the Gilby wrote, “Civilization is formed by men [sic] locked most violent century in human history, culminating in a together in argument.” Moreover, at a time when polariza- worldwide race to harness the deadly power of the atom. In tion and recrimination threaten to drive reason and human- a new century, when humankind’s destructive power is ity from the public square and politically inspired sectarian- nearly absolute, America joins with the church and people ism threatens to divide the church, we envision America as of good will throughout the world in renewing the quest for a forum where serious thought will count and truth and peace. As Pope Paul VI reminded us, true peace requires charity will prevail. justice. Along with the practitioners in the field, we will We also seek to foster a dialogue that is truly catholic explore how to pursue justice without violence, mindful of in its scope, inviting American Catholics and our fellow cit- the place of peacemakers in the kingdom of God. izens to share in a global conversation that extends to every When Communism collapsed in 1989, no one antici- continent; and we hope to encourage today’s faithful to pated that within 20 years Wall Street as we knew it would encounter the Great Catholic Tradition that reaches back also have vanished. The economic model that the United beyond the last pontificate, beyond the First Vatican States, and then the world, followed during the last 30 years Council and the Council of Trent, to draw from treasures has failed; the assumptions that undergird it are a shambles. found in both East and West. Finally, we want to make To be renewed, the global economy needs more than emer- America a place where those who regard themselves as gency funding and better regulation. It will require imagi- “spiritual but not religious” will discover the vitality of a nation, innovation and, above all, sound values. We promise community of faith that follows Christ in the world. America will be one of the places where that re-imagining At a time when journalism in the United States is in and ethical vision will be found. turmoil, America is blessed with faithful and generous read- In the real economy that makes things and provides ers who enable us to look ahead with confidence to expand- services, a great transformation is already under way.