Doctrine Committee Chair, Cardinal Wuerl, Highlights Multiple Offers to Meet With Fordham Professor Sister Elizabeth Johnson

WASHINGTON—Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Chairman of the Doctrine Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has offered to meet with Sister Elizabeth Johnson three times to discuss her book Quest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers of the Theology of God – most recently on October 26.

The Cardinal spoke of the offers after reading Sister Johnson’s complaint that the Doctrine Committee has refused to meet with her. She made the complaint after seeing the Committee’s response to her observations on their March critique.

Cardinal Wuerl said that he offered to meet with her in correspondence dated July 22 and October 11, and in a telephone call and follow-up e-mail on October 26. Sister Johnson did not respond to any of the offers.

“I reiterate my offer as chairman of the Doctrine Committee to meet with Sister Johnson,” Cardinal Wuerl said. “As a woman religious and theologian, she is a valued member of the Church. Her goal of helping people come to an even better understanding of Who God is, is a goal we share.”