The Forgotten Jesuit of Catholic Modernism: George Tyrrell's Prophetic Theology

Reception of the theological voice in the Catholic Church is far from laudable. This book highlights the prophetic voice of one priest-theologian amongst many others who courageously challenged the hegemonic abuse of power within the church. The former Jesuit George Tyrrell has rightly been described as a religious genius a revolutionary and yet also a mystic-prophet and a man of prayer and self-sacrifice. In proposing a Catholicism relevant for the time and in opposition to clericalism Tyrrell courageously engaged in a battle with the Roman Jesuit and English hierarchical establishment.This book illustrates how Tyrrells theological challenge to those who would take the church out of history was never effectively refuted either at the time or since and that the issues Tyrrell raised are still relevant and alive in the church today. In highlighting Tyrrells liberation of theology from dogmatism the current work describes why he was vilified by the Roman hierarchy expelled from the Jesuits and eventually excommunicated. Tyrrells Ignatian-inspired hope-filled theology should not be forgotten not least because it sheds further light on another courageous and prophetic Jesuit Pope Francis. In revisiting Tyrrells Ignatian theology this book celebrates the promise that Vatican II presented to the future church namely a universal call to holiness that is currently embraced by Pope Francis.