The whole semantic field of ‘tool’ and ‘instrument’ is fraught with negative moral connotations. St. Ignatius’ writings , however, show a different tendency. There, ‘instrument’ both serves as a central spiritual category and bears a positive connotation.
Aaron Pidel
Aaron Pidel, S.J., is an assistant professor of theology at Marquette University.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
How all Catholic teaching is connected in the ‘hierarchy of truths’
When we speak of the ‘hierarchy of truths’ in Catholic theology, we need to remember that we are teaching both the essentials—and the entirety—of the faith.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
Should Pope Francis get the Covid vaccine first—or last?
Where should a pope who has embodied “the first shall be last” stand in line?
Posted inFaith, Features
A Jesuit guide to pandemic ministry
Does canceling the sacraments show a lack of faith? Jesuits in the 16th century didn’t think so.
Posted inFaith, Features
Did Benedict XVI predict the rise of Trump and fake news?
The dictatorship of relativism and the demise of objective reality
Posted inFrom Our Archives
Ford’s Foundation: The consistency and compassion of a pastoral theologian
John C. Ford, S.J., (1902-89) has the rather dubious distinction of being one of the most eminent theologians of the 20th century and one of the least remembered in the 21st. Writing in the year of Father Ford’s death, Richard McCormick, S.J., could still vividly recall a time when Father Ford