The Catholic Scholar

Over the past couple of years, I've had the privilege of getting to know Fr. Michael Sweeney, OP, President of the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology (Berkeley).  As I spent time in Fr. Michael's presence and company, I soon discovered that what he has to say -- whether in his writings, homilies, or extended conversations -- is always worthy of careful attention.  He is a wise, inspiring, and provocative intellect, not to mention a wonderfully true vir Ecclesiae.

I'd venture to say that it's sometimes easy to get lost a little about what our point here at MOJ -- developing  "Catholic legal theory" -- amounts to.  I commend, therefore, Fr. Michael's essay "The Vocation of a Catholic Scholar" (here), as a challenging yet comforting beacon and guide.  What Fr. Michael has to say is rich with implications for law and legal theory.  The role of the Catholic scholar is, Fr. Michael contends, "redemptive."  And, one might go on to ask, if it's not, what's the point of it?

Fr. Michael's insights are, in part, a reflection on the important book by Fr. Sertillanges, OP, The Intellectual Life: Its Spririt, Conditions, and Method, which every Catholic scholar should study.