Today’s CWN briefs brings the report that the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA) has presented its top annual honor, the John Courtney Murray Award, to Bryan Massingale, who describes himself as “both a black theologian and a publicly gay/queer/same-gender loving one.” Massingale is a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and a professor at Fordham, a Catholic (well, Jesuit) university.
Does this news surprise you? It shouldn’t. The CTSA has a long, clear track record for honoring theologians who promote views contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church. In past years the John Courtney Murray Award has been bestowed on:
- In 2019, James Keenan, SJ, who, when Massachusetts lawmakers were considering the groundbreaking move to recognize same-sex marriage, testified in favor of the proposal;
- In 2016, Orlando Espin, a professor at the University of San Diego (a Catholic institution), who was a partner in a same-sex union;
- In 2010, Peter Phan, whose works on inter-religious dialogue had twice prompted cautionary notes from the doctrinal committee of the US bishops’ conference;
- In 2006, Sandra Schneiders, who called for “non-violent resistance” to the Vatican’s apostolic visitation of the American women’s religious orders.
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