Weaving the American Catholic Tapestry: Essays in Honor of William L. Portier

Concerned that American Catholic theology has struggled to find its own voice for much of its history William Portier has spent virtually his entire scholarly career recovering a usable past for Catholics on the U.S. landscape. This work of ressourcement has stood at the intersection of several disciplines and has unlocked the beauty of American Catholic life and thought. These essays which are offered in honor of Portiers life and work emerge from his vision for American Catholicism where Scripture tradition reason and experience are distinct but interwoven and inextricably linked with one another. As this volume details such a path is not merely about scholarly endeavors but involves the pursuit of holiness in the real world. This book celebrates the scholarly contributions of William Portier. Those who take the time to read it will surely join in the festivity and in doing so they will discover what those of us who are familiar with his work have understood for a long time--that he is one of the most insightful living interpreters of American Catholicism. Readers will not only know why this is so but they will see how as a gifted teacher and colleague he has enabled others to share and extend his insight. --Curtis W. Freeman Research Professor of Theology Duke University Divinity School Viewing the theological task as inherently historical cultural spiritual and practical Portier has called for a ressourcement rooted in the intrinsic unity between that intellectual task and the Christian life of discipleship. In so doing he has demonstrated how far from foreclosing the possibility of making broader theological claims a truly American Catholic theology--understood in its deepest broadest sense--is actually the precondition for fruitfully contributing to the Catholic theological tradition. Combining interdisciplinary breadth with analytical depth this collection of essays is a worthy testament to Portiers pioneering work. Like Portiers own writings these essays will not only stimulate but also inspire. --Roberto S. Goizueta Margaret OBrien Flatley Professor of Catholic Theology Department of Theology Boston College A fitting tribute to a stalwart of American Catholic theology! Fearless and full of wit Portiers work unsettles the easy categories in which Catholic life in America is often framed. To read him is to be called to a fresh look in a critical but integrated Gospel spirit. The editors are to be thanked for the present studies displaying the range and depth of this exemplary theologians person and thought. --David L. Schindler Editor Communio; Gagnon Professor of Fundamental Theology Pontifical John Paul II Institute The Catholic University of America Derek C. Hatch is Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Howard Payne University in Brownwood Texas. He is coeditor of Gathering Together (Pickwick Publications 2013). Timothy R. Gabrielli is Assistant Professor of Theology at Seton Hill University in Greensburg Pennsylvania. He is author of Confirmation and One in Christ.