Do Not Stifle the Spirit

Overview

"The last testament of Jacques Dupuis, present here in his responses to Gerard O'Connell's kind but constant questioning, reveals the man hidden behind a life of discreet dedication. The final years of suffering present a sad story, yet one in which faith and the love of Jesus shine out. The book also illustrates the immense and lasting contribution of this distinguished theologian, beyond the controversy that surrounded his writings." --Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue

"This remarkable book is an engaging introduction to the struggle of a top Catholic theologian to defend his writings before the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. It also serves as a crash course on the central issues of the theology of religions." --Thomas Michel, S.J. visiting professor, Georgetown University

"Jacques Dupuis was a master of historical and theological detail, recognizing nuanced developments and appraising subtle shifts in thinking within the Christian theological tradition and his own disputations. O'Connell's lengthy conversations with Dupuis here allow him to tell the story of Dupuis' struggle with church authorities and disputes with theological critics to advance toward a Christian theology of religious pluralism." --John Borelli, Georgetown University

Before his death more than twelve years ago, Jacques Dupuis, a prominent Catholic theologian who faced a long persecution by his own church for his teachings on religious pluralism, sat down for a book-length interview with Gerard OConnell, a noted Catholic journalist, for America, the Jesuit magazine. Dupuis insisted that the frank and honest transcript unburdened and unbuttoned, in the words of a fellow Jesuit) not be published until after he died and certain other curial figures were out of office.

This hidden treasure is finally unburied and presents not only Dupuis life story (including his tragic final years) but also his views on religious pluralism, interreligious dialogue, and ecclesiology.

Irish-born journalist Gerard OConnell is an Associate Editor and Vatican correspondent for America. He has lived in Rome for the past three decades, and has written for a variety of news outlets throughout the English-speaking world including The Tablet and The National CatholicReporter.

Jacques Dupuis, SJ, (1923-2004) taught theology for many years at the Gregorian University in Rome and at the Vidyajyot College of Theology in Delhi, India. His books include Who Do You Say I Am?, Christianity and the Religions and Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism.