Thomism and the Council

THOMISM AND THE COUNCIL POPE JOHN XXIII in convoking the Second Vatican Council encouraged a spirit of renewal in the Church today. The late Holy Father had in that same spirit and context encouraged the study of Thomism: The other matter that We want to propose for your consideration seems more urgent and more important to Us because We are looking forward to the celebration of the Second Vatican Council, and We have been devoting a great deal of attention to making proper preparations for it: the fact that the treatment and solution of moral questions according to the imperishable principles of Aquinas is of great help in bringing about agreement and unity among those interested in truth and charity. This fact is bound to produce a great deal of the very richest fruit in the form of peace for the Catholic Church and for the whole world.1 Obviously, a consideration of the Council should include a discussion of Thomism in the Church; in fact, if the hopes of John XXIII are to be realized, the study of Thomism is" first," "necessary," and to be done "carefully": But if all these things that We desire so ardently are to come about, the first thing necessary is to study the works of St. Thomas carefully. And so we are very interested in seeing a steady growth in the number of people who find enlightenment and learning in the works of the Angelic Doctor.2 A moment's reflection will urge other important reasons for a consideration of Thomism in the Church. If the spirit of the Church is to be renewed and revitalized in our day, then the study of Thomism, which for centuries has been so much a part of the spirit of the Church, must be approached anew. Certainly, this has been the desire of all the Popes of the 1 Pope John XXIII, Allocution to the Fifth International Thomistic Congress, Sept. 18, 1960. Tr. from The Pope Spealcs, 6 (1960) 826. 2 Ibid., 827. 451 45~ ANTHONY D. LEE modern era. The veritable mountains of documents suggesting , urging, directing the study and use of St. Thomas to meet modern problems, and the number of admonitions to and corrections of those scholars who have neglected or wandered from the principles and method of St. Thomas are sufficient evidence that the Church does not consider Thomism a relic of the past.3 The " bringing up to date " of the life of the Church in no way implies a neglect of the wisdom of the Common Doctor; on the contrary, such a spirit demands a deeper study of Thomism and a revitalization of its doctrine. We would be very happy to see what We might term the "treasure " of the precepts of St. Thomas " unearthed " in greater measure each day, to the great benefit of Christianity, and also see his writing reach a much wider public in a language and form perfectly suited to the spirit and temper of our times.4 Another, and perhaps the most important, aspect of Thornism in the Church today is the consideration of Thomism in the Church tomorrow. The revitalization of the life of the Church which is enkindled today must be kept burning through the sound theological learning of priests and seminarians. Pope John has also pointed out his interest in seeing especially that the young find " enlightenment and learning in the works of the Angelic Doctor," and " not only priests or scholars but also people interested in the liberal arts. Above all we would like to see this path followed by more of the young people chosen for the work of Catholic Action and holding higher degrees." 5 I£ the work of the council is to bear lasting fruit it must be especially concerned with the education of clerical and lay leaders of tomorrow. It is, without doubt, the glory of Thomism that as a system it can sustain the quality of revitalization • See S. Ramirez, 0. P ., "The Authority of St. Thomas," The Thomist, XV (195i'l), 1-109. This is a complete study of the authority of St. Thomas supported by numerous quotations from Papal documents. 4 Pope John XXIII...