CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA (CTSA)

Founded, 1946, as a professional and learned society, and legally incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in the State of New York. Its first president was Francis J. Connell, C.Ss.R.

According to the society's constitution, its purpose, "within the context of the Roman Catholic tradition, shall be to promote studies and research in theology, to relate theological science to current problems, and to foster a more effective theological education, by providing a forum for an exchange of views among theologians and with scholars in other disciplines." Since its founding, the CTSA has sought to assist those entrusted with a teaching ministry in the Church, to develop in the Christian people a more mature understanding of their faith, and to further the cause of unity among all people through a better appreciation of the role of religious faith in the life of human beings and society. It seeks to achieve its purpose chiefly through its annual convention in early June, through the publication of the convention Proceedings, through a program of scholarly publication, and a variety of ad hoc committees for research and inquiry into specific questions.

The CTSA also publishes, either in the Proceedings or separately, various reports of special study groups or research teams which it sponsors. Examples of such publications include The Renewal of the Sacrament of Penance (1975), Human Sexuality (1977), Woman in Church and Society (1978), Catholic Perspectives on Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry (1986), and Report of the CTSA Committee on the Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity (1990).

Each year the CTSA presents an award to a member for outstanding achievement in theology. Originally called the Cardinal Spellman Award, it is now known as the John Courtney Murray Award.

In keeping with the change and renewal occurring in the Church as a result of Vatican Council II, CTSA has also experienced change and renewal in its own activity and in its ministry to the church. In the early 1970s the CTSA revised its Constitution. The requirements for membership were raised so that ordinarily the doctorate in theology is required for active membership and the completion of doctoral course work is required for associate membership. At the same time during the years since Vatican II, CTSA membership has increased and broadened to include a number of non-Catholic theologians, a growing number of women and lay persons, and a greater number of graduates from European and non-Catholic universities. Women religious and lay members have served on the board of directors and the presidency. From the early 1980s onward, membership became more culturally and ethnically diverse, with an increasing number of African-American, Hispanic/Latino(a) and Asian theologians joining as members. This was a far cry from its early days as a bastion of theologians who were white, male and clerical.

The CTSA came of age in 2001, when a Vietnamese-American theologian, Peter C. Phan, the Warren-Blanding Professor of Religion and Culture at The Catholic University of America, assumed the office of CTSA president, becoming the first Asian-American, indeed, the first non-Caucasian to assume this position. Picking up on this momentum for change and diversity, the members of the Society elected M. Shawn Copeland, an African-American woman theologian, as vice-president at the 2001 annual convention. She assumes the presidency of CTSA in 2003, the first African-American theologian to do so.

[c. l. salm/

e. h. konerman/

j. y. tan]