Francis Jeremiah Connell
Encyclopedia
Francis Jeremiah Connell, C.SS.R. (January 31, 1888 - May 12, 1967), was a Redemptorist priest, professor, author, and noted Catholic
American theologian. He was born in Boston
, Massachusetts and died in Washington, DC.
On graduating the Boston Latin School, Connell won a scholarship to the Jesuit
run Boston College
and attended for 2 years. Already he was thinking of the priesthood, but did not want to spend said priesthood teaching in the classroom as was the course usually followed by academically gifted Jesuits. Thus, in 1907 Connell joined the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, better known as the Redemptorists.
Connell spent novitiate year at the Redemptorist house in Annapolis, Maryland
after which he was sent to Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus
, New York
to study philosophy and theology in preparation for priestly ordination. On June 26, 1913, he was ordained at Mount St. Alphonsus by Thomas Francis Cusack
, auxiliary bishop
of the Archdiocese of New York. From August 14, 1913 to February 15, 1914 he did a second novitiate in Annapolis and then was assigned as a curate to Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Brooklyn
, NY. He remained there in pastoral ministry until September 15, 1915.
made this difficult. Instead, Connell was assigned to teach dogmatic theology at Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary until 1921 when he was sent to the Collegio Angelico, (now called the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas ot the Angelicum) in Rome
. With his dissertation De scientia beata Christi he obtained a Doctorate in Sacred Theology summa cum laude. On returning to the United States, was assigned for a sort time to his previous parish in Brooklyn, and then from 1924 to 1940 he again taught dogma at the Redemptorist seminary in Esopus.>
In 1940, Bishop Joseph Moran Corrigan, Rector of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
invited Connell to teach dogma there. Connell accepted with the permission of his superiors. However, during the summer of the same year, Fr. James W. O’Brien, then professor of moral theology, was reassigned by his own bishop to a become rector of the archdiocesan seminary in Cincinnati. Connell was asked to fill O'Brien's teaching post and did so from the Autumn of 1940 until his retirement in 1958. At the same time, form 1945 until 1950, he gained the additional task of serving as rector of Holy Redeemer College, in Washington, D.C. Then, from 1949 to 1957, Connell was Dean of the School of Sacred Theology at Catholic University. Additionally from 1958 to 1967, he was Dean of Religious Communities at the Catholic University, although from 1958 to 1962 he was also was professor of Sacred Sciences at St. John’s University in New York.
During the 1940's Connell was a charter member and first president of the Catholic Theological Society of America
.
Connell was often sought for advice by bishops, priests, religious, and laity. During his time in Washington, he used to send out between two and three thousands responses by mail
each year. Moreover, Connell claimed that through his teaching, letters, retreats, and conferences, he had come into contact with one-quarter of the priests in the United States.
Connell's influence also spread through the media. He appeared frequently on the radio
and television
, such as the national “Catholic Hour,” “Church of the Air,” and “Washington Catholic Hour.” He wrote numerous articles for the reviews Angelicum, American Ecclesiastical Review
(regularly from 1943 to 1967), Clergy Review, Thought, Homiletic and Pastoral Review, and Atlantic Monthly, as well as a number of books. He was preparing a two volume text on moral theology when he died.
By his own admission, the chief theological influences on him were dogmatic theologians Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange
, O.P., and Fr. Gerardus Cornelis Van Noort (d. 1946); and moral theologians St. Alphonsus Liguori, B. Merkelbach, O.P., and Regatillo-Zalba, S.J. whose manuals he used in his teaching.
. He was on the American Bishops’ Press Panel which briefed English-speaking reporters of conciliar proceedings.
“The moral theologian must give guidance to people; he must explain to them how they must conduct themselves. Of course, the theologian is not a member of the Church’s teaching authority – the Magisterium: he is not an official teacher of the Church. And yet, …, theologians and Scripture scholars are supposed to guide those who do officially teach in the Church. The Magisterium learns from theology.”
“The sensus fidelium is synonymous with the ecclesia discens-the learning Church. Recently there have been some who believe that the ecclesia docens-the teaching Church-must follow the ecclesia discens. This is wrong. It has always been that the Church gives doctrine and the faithful learn doctrine.”
“For the Church does not give her sacraments to those who call themselves Catholics, but knowingly reject any of her authoritative teachings. (Whether such persons can be truly called Catholics is a complicated question. But in any event, they have excluded themselves from the lawful reception of the sacraments.”
“I would like to point out that I have not always been labeled a conservative. Twenty-five years ago (1942), I was regarded as a liberal theologian! I regret very much this dichotomy-liberal or conservative-has been used at all. To my mind you can and should be both’ liberal and conservative. The theologian must realize that there are developments in theology and that new problems have to be faced and answered. But on the other hand, he must also realize that his solutions must not oppose what the Church has taught for centuries. …. This distinction between liberal and conservative is largely due to the press at the Vatican Council.”
“Some theologians have changed, yes. But, I cannot see how theology has changed. I do not see how it could be changed radically, since it takes its principles from Revelation as taught by the Church. There has surely been a significant progress in theology over the last decade, but this does not mean that there has been a denial of what went before.”
“Prayer and theology go hand in hand. I recommend to every Catholic theologian, whether he be lay or clerical, a deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Believing tht Christ is truly, really, and substantially present in the Eucharist, we can derive great help from Him. We should also have a devotion to Mary, the Seat of Wisdom. Through her, we may hope to receive true wisdom from her Divine Son.”
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
American theologian. He was born in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts and died in Washington, DC.
Early Life
Born to Timothy and Mary (née Sheehan), Francis attended the Boston public school system from 1893 to 1901. From 1901 to 1905, he attended Boston Latin School.On graduating the Boston Latin School, Connell won a scholarship to the Jesuit
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
run Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
and attended for 2 years. Already he was thinking of the priesthood, but did not want to spend said priesthood teaching in the classroom as was the course usually followed by academically gifted Jesuits. Thus, in 1907 Connell joined the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, better known as the Redemptorists.
Connell spent novitiate year at the Redemptorist house in Annapolis, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
after which he was sent to Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus
Esopus
Esopus may refer to:In New York*Esopus, New York, a town in Ulster County*Esopus Creek, a tributary of the Hudson River*Esopus Meadows Lighthouse, a lighthouse on the Hudson River near Esopus, New York...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to study philosophy and theology in preparation for priestly ordination. On June 26, 1913, he was ordained at Mount St. Alphonsus by Thomas Francis Cusack
Thomas Cusack (bishop)
Thomas Francis Cusack was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Albany from 1915 until his death in 1918.-Biography:...
, auxiliary bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of the Archdiocese of New York. From August 14, 1913 to February 15, 1914 he did a second novitiate in Annapolis and then was assigned as a curate to Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, NY. He remained there in pastoral ministry until September 15, 1915.
Academic Career
In 1915, Connell's superiors already had it in their plans to send him to Rome to earn a doctorate. However, conditions due to World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
made this difficult. Instead, Connell was assigned to teach dogmatic theology at Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary until 1921 when he was sent to the Collegio Angelico, (now called the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas ot the Angelicum) in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. With his dissertation De scientia beata Christi he obtained a Doctorate in Sacred Theology summa cum laude. On returning to the United States, was assigned for a sort time to his previous parish in Brooklyn, and then from 1924 to 1940 he again taught dogma at the Redemptorist seminary in Esopus.>
In 1940, Bishop Joseph Moran Corrigan, Rector of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
invited Connell to teach dogma there. Connell accepted with the permission of his superiors. However, during the summer of the same year, Fr. James W. O’Brien, then professor of moral theology, was reassigned by his own bishop to a become rector of the archdiocesan seminary in Cincinnati. Connell was asked to fill O'Brien's teaching post and did so from the Autumn of 1940 until his retirement in 1958. At the same time, form 1945 until 1950, he gained the additional task of serving as rector of Holy Redeemer College, in Washington, D.C. Then, from 1949 to 1957, Connell was Dean of the School of Sacred Theology at Catholic University. Additionally from 1958 to 1967, he was Dean of Religious Communities at the Catholic University, although from 1958 to 1962 he was also was professor of Sacred Sciences at St. John’s University in New York.
During the 1940's Connell was a charter member and first president of the Catholic Theological Society of America
Catholic Theological Society of America
The Catholic Theological Society of America is a professional association mostly in the United States and Canada. It is a "Catholic" organization that was founded in 1946 to promote studies and research in theology within the Catholic tradition...
.
Connell was often sought for advice by bishops, priests, religious, and laity. During his time in Washington, he used to send out between two and three thousands responses by mail
Mail
Mail, or post, is a system for transporting letters and other tangible objects: written documents, typically enclosed in envelopes, and also small packages are delivered to destinations around the world. Anything sent through the postal system is called mail or post.In principle, a postal service...
each year. Moreover, Connell claimed that through his teaching, letters, retreats, and conferences, he had come into contact with one-quarter of the priests in the United States.
Connell's influence also spread through the media. He appeared frequently on the radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, such as the national “Catholic Hour,” “Church of the Air,” and “Washington Catholic Hour.” He wrote numerous articles for the reviews Angelicum, American Ecclesiastical Review
American Ecclesiastical Review
The American Ecclesiastical Review was founded in 1889 and was the first American Roman Catholic journal dedicated to theological scholarship. It was published in Philadelphia until 1927, and then housed at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. until it ceased publication in 1975. It...
(regularly from 1943 to 1967), Clergy Review, Thought, Homiletic and Pastoral Review, and Atlantic Monthly, as well as a number of books. He was preparing a two volume text on moral theology when he died.
By his own admission, the chief theological influences on him were dogmatic theologians Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange
Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange
Réginald Marie Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. was a Catholic theologian and, among Thomists of the scholastic tradition, is generally thought to be the greatest Catholic Thomist of the 20th century. Outside the ranks of Thomists of that sort, his reputation is somewhat more mixed. He taught at the...
, O.P., and Fr. Gerardus Cornelis Van Noort (d. 1946); and moral theologians St. Alphonsus Liguori, B. Merkelbach, O.P., and Regatillo-Zalba, S.J. whose manuals he used in his teaching.
Second Vatican Council
Connell was named a peritus for the Second Vatican CouncilSecond Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
. He was on the American Bishops’ Press Panel which briefed English-speaking reporters of conciliar proceedings.
Connell's Theological Vision
“One who knows dogmatic theology well is really best qualified to teach moral theology. After all, theology is one science.”“The moral theologian must give guidance to people; he must explain to them how they must conduct themselves. Of course, the theologian is not a member of the Church’s teaching authority – the Magisterium: he is not an official teacher of the Church. And yet, …, theologians and Scripture scholars are supposed to guide those who do officially teach in the Church. The Magisterium learns from theology.”
“The sensus fidelium is synonymous with the ecclesia discens-the learning Church. Recently there have been some who believe that the ecclesia docens-the teaching Church-must follow the ecclesia discens. This is wrong. It has always been that the Church gives doctrine and the faithful learn doctrine.”
“For the Church does not give her sacraments to those who call themselves Catholics, but knowingly reject any of her authoritative teachings. (Whether such persons can be truly called Catholics is a complicated question. But in any event, they have excluded themselves from the lawful reception of the sacraments.”
“I would like to point out that I have not always been labeled a conservative. Twenty-five years ago (1942), I was regarded as a liberal theologian! I regret very much this dichotomy-liberal or conservative-has been used at all. To my mind you can and should be both’ liberal and conservative. The theologian must realize that there are developments in theology and that new problems have to be faced and answered. But on the other hand, he must also realize that his solutions must not oppose what the Church has taught for centuries. …. This distinction between liberal and conservative is largely due to the press at the Vatican Council.”
“Some theologians have changed, yes. But, I cannot see how theology has changed. I do not see how it could be changed radically, since it takes its principles from Revelation as taught by the Church. There has surely been a significant progress in theology over the last decade, but this does not mean that there has been a denial of what went before.”
“Prayer and theology go hand in hand. I recommend to every Catholic theologian, whether he be lay or clerical, a deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Believing tht Christ is truly, really, and substantially present in the Eucharist, we can derive great help from Him. We should also have a devotion to Mary, the Seat of Wisdom. Through her, we may hope to receive true wisdom from her Divine Son.”
Dogmatic Works
- ”Again the Doctrine of Hell,” Homiletic and Pastoral Review 35 (1935): 368-383.
- ”Is the Fire of Hell Eternal and Real,” Homiletic and Pastoral Review 34 (1934): 1250-1260.
- The New Confraternity Edition Revised Baltimore Catechism and Mass, No. 3, (NY: Benziger, 1952).
- The Seven Sacraments, (Glen Rock, NJ: Paulist Press, 1939).
Moral Works
- ”The Catholic Doctrine on the Ends of Marriage,” Catholic Theological Society of America Proceedings 1 (1946):34-45.
- "The Mixed-Marriage Promises," In Background to Morality ed. John P. Lerhinam, C.SS.R (New York: Desclee Co., 1964), 187-216
- ”Moral Theology in the AER, 1889-1963,” American Ecclesiastical Review 150 (1964): 44-53.
- ”Recent Moral Theology,” American Ecclesiastical Review 111 (1944): 104-113.
- Morals in Politics and Professions: A Guide for Catholics in Public Life (Westminster, MD: Newman Bookshop, 1946)
- Outlines of Moral Theology, (Milwaukee: Bruce, 1953).
- "The Relationship Between Church and State," The Jurist 13.4 (Oct. 1953).
Other Works
- "Going, Therefore Teach," In Why I Became a Priest, edited by G.L. Kane (Westminster, Maryland: Newman Books, 1952), 57-64.
- ”The Theological School in America,” In Essays on Catholic Education in the United States, Roy J. Deferrari, ed. (Washington, DC: CUA, 1942):219-233.
- Sermon Outlines Based on Catholic Faith in Action for the Sundays of the Ecclesiastical Year 1953, (Washington, DC, 1952).
- Spiritual and Pastoral Conferences for Priests
- Sunday Sermon Outlines, (NY: Frederick Putset, 1955).