Gregory Baum
Encyclopedia
Gregory Baum, OC
(born 1923) is a Canadian
theologian.
Born in Berlin
, Germany
, he came to Canada from England in 1940. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and physics in 1946 from McMaster University
, a Master of Arts degree in mathematics in 1947 from Ohio State University
, and a Th.D. in 1956 from the University of Fribourg
.
He was the Professor of theology and sociology at University of Saint Michael's College in the University of Toronto
and subsequently professor of theological ethics at McGill University
's Faculty of Religious Studies. He is currently associated with the Jesuit Centre justice et foi in Montreal.
During the church council Vatican II he was a peritus
, or theological advisor, at the Ecumenical Secretariat, the commission responsible for three conciliar documents, On Religious Liberty, On Ecumenism, and On the Church's Relation to Non-Christian Religions.
In particular, he advocated the position, as a response to the Holocaust, of the rabbi
and philosopher Emil Fackenheim
regarding the cessation of efforts to convert the Jews
, famously stating: "After Auschwitz the Christian churches no longer wish to convert the Jews. While they may not be sure of the theological grounds that dispense them from this mission, the churches have become aware that asking the Jews to become Christians is a spiritual way of blotting them out of existence and thus only reinforces the effects of the Holocaust."
From 1962 to 2004, he was the editor of The Ecumenist, a review of theology, culture and society, as well as a member and frequent editor of the international Catholic review Concilium.
His books include:
A second edition of his seminal 1975 book, Religion and Alienation was republished by Novalis in 2006.
He hold honorary doctorates from Huron University College
, London, Ontario; St. Francis Xavier University
, Antigonish, N.S; Ohio Wesleyan University
, Delaware, Ohio; Lafayette College
, Easton, Pa.; Waterloo Lutheran University, Waterloo, Ontario; McMaster University
, Hamilton, Ontario; Concordia University, Montreal.
In 1990, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
in recognition of being "a guide and inspiration to generations of students of many different faiths and backgrounds".
Baum left the priesthood in 1976.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(born 1923) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
theologian.
Born in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, he came to Canada from England in 1940. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and physics in 1946 from McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
, a Master of Arts degree in mathematics in 1947 from Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
, and a Th.D. in 1956 from the University of Fribourg
University of Fribourg
The University of Fribourg is a university in the city of Fribourg, Switzerland.The roots of the University can be traced back to 1582, when the notable Jesuit Peter Canisius founded the Collège Saint-Michel in the City of Fribourg. In 1763, an Academy of law was founded by the state of Frobourg...
.
He was the Professor of theology and sociology at University of Saint Michael's College in the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
and subsequently professor of theological ethics at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
's Faculty of Religious Studies. He is currently associated with the Jesuit Centre justice et foi in Montreal.
During the church council Vatican II he was a peritus
Peritus
Peritus is the title given to Roman Catholic theologians who are present to give advice at an ecumenical council. At the most recent council, the Second Vatican Council, some periti accompanied individual bishops or groups of bishops from various countries...
, or theological advisor, at the Ecumenical Secretariat, the commission responsible for three conciliar documents, On Religious Liberty, On Ecumenism, and On the Church's Relation to Non-Christian Religions.
In particular, he advocated the position, as a response to the Holocaust, of the rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
and philosopher Emil Fackenheim
Emil Fackenheim
Emil Ludwig Fackenheim, Ph.D. was a noted Jewish philosopher and Reform rabbi.Born in Halle, Germany, he was arrested by the Nazis on the night of November 9, 1938, known as Kristallnacht...
regarding the cessation of efforts to convert the Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
, famously stating: "After Auschwitz the Christian churches no longer wish to convert the Jews. While they may not be sure of the theological grounds that dispense them from this mission, the churches have become aware that asking the Jews to become Christians is a spiritual way of blotting them out of existence and thus only reinforces the effects of the Holocaust."
From 1962 to 2004, he was the editor of The Ecumenist, a review of theology, culture and society, as well as a member and frequent editor of the international Catholic review Concilium.
His books include:
- That They May Be One, Newman Press, 1958.
- The Credibility of the Church Today, Herder & Herder, 1968.
- Man Becoming, Herder & Herder, 1970.
- Religion and Alienation, Paulist Press, 1975.
- Truth Beyond Relativity: Karl Mannheim's Sociology of Knowledge, The Marquette Lecture, Marquette University PressMarquette University PressMarquette University Press is a university press for Marquette University. The Press is a founding member of the Association of Jesuit University Presses ....
, 1977. - The Priority of Labour: Commentary on John Paul II’s `Laborem exercens,’ Paulist Press, 1982.
- Theology and Society, Paulist Press, 1986.
- Compassion and Solidarity: The Church for Others (The 1987 CBC Massey Lectures), Anansi Press, 1988.
- The Church in Quebec, Novalis, 1992.
- Karl Polanyi on Ethics and Economics, McGill-Queen's University PressMcGill-Queen's University PressThe McGill-Queen's University Press is a joint venture between McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario....
, 1996. - Nationalism, Religion and Ethics, McGill-Queen's University Press, 2001.
- Signs of the Times: Religious Pluralism and Economic Injustice, Novalis, 2008.
- The Theology of Tariq Ramadan: A Catholic Perspective, University of Notre Dame Press, 2009.
A second edition of his seminal 1975 book, Religion and Alienation was republished by Novalis in 2006.
He hold honorary doctorates from Huron University College
Huron University College
Huron University College, referred to locally as Huron College is one of the affiliated colleges of the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario....
, London, Ontario; St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
, Antigonish, N.S; Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1842 by Methodist leaders and Central Ohio residents as a nonsectarian institution, and is a member of the Ohio Five — a consortium of Ohio liberal arts colleges...
, Delaware, Ohio; Lafayette College
Lafayette College
Lafayette College is a private coeducational liberal arts and engineering college located in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. The school, founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter,son of General Andrew Porter of Norristown and citizens of Easton, first began holding classes in 1832...
, Easton, Pa.; Waterloo Lutheran University, Waterloo, Ontario; McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
, Hamilton, Ontario; Concordia University, Montreal.
In 1990, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
in recognition of being "a guide and inspiration to generations of students of many different faiths and backgrounds".
Baum left the priesthood in 1976.