Joseph Clifford Fenton
Encyclopedia
Monsignor Joseph Clifford Fenton (January 16, 1906 - July 7, 1969), a priest of the diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, was professor of fundamental dogmatic theology at the Catholic University of America and editor of the American Ecclesiastical Review
(1943–1963). He is considered one of the most outstanding American Catholic theologians of the 20th century, serving as a peritus for Cardinal Ottaviani at the Second Vatican Council
. He was also Secretary of the Catholic Theological Society of America.
Having received a B.A. degree from College of the Holy Cross
in Worcester, Massachusetts
, in 1926, Fenton studied for the sacred priesthood at the Grand Seminary in Montreal, Canada, until 1930. On June 14, 1930, Bp. Thomas Michael O'Leary ordained him priest at St. Michael's Cathedral in Springfield, Mass. He obtained a doctorate degree in Sacred Theology from the Angelicum in Rome, writing his dissertation under the direction of Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange
, O.P.
Fenton was a familiar figure with his cassock and biretta on the campus of The Catholic University of America for 25 years. His students remember him as an imposing person who lectured dramatically and often challenged them with unexpected questions. Fenton's colorful expressions and trenchant observations became legendary.
During his career, Fenton received many ecclesiastical honors from Rome. The Holy See named him a papal chamberlain
(1951), a domestic prelate (1954), and a protonotary apostolic
(1963). Recipient of the papal medal, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
(1954), he belonged to the Pontifical Roman Theological Academy and served as a counselor to the Sacred Congregation of Seminaries and Universities (1950–67).
Throughout his life, Fenton wrote an abundance of articles, especially on ecclesiology and Church-state relations. Most of Fenton's articles were published in the American Ecclesiastical Review, though he also contributed to Columbia, America, Fortnightly Review, Catholic Educational Review and Le Seminaire. Fenton's writing career also encompasses six books which he authored:
In 2006, his book The Catholic Church and Salvation, a scholarly in-depth explanation of the Catholic dogma "No Salvation Outside the Church", was republished by the Society of St. Pius V
's Seminary Press in Round Top, New York.
During the first years of the Second Vatican Council
, Fenton was a member of the preparatory Theological Commission, the Doctrinal Commission, the Commission on Faith and Morals, and also a peritus
. As a controversialist, he is best remembered for his aggressive opposition to John Courtney Murray
, S.J., on religious freedom and on the relationship between Church and State.
In December of 1963, Msgr. Fenton resigned as editor of the American Ecclesiastical Review "because of poor health" and became pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Chicopee Falls, Mass. Fenton died of an acute heart attack, apparently in his sleep, on July 7, 1969. He is buried at St. Thomas Cemetery in Palmer, Mass. Photographs of his tombstone may be found here and here.
Msgr. Joseph Clifford Fenton is sometimes confused with Fr. Francis E. Fenton (no relation), founder of the Orthodox Roman Catholic Movement
.
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...
(1943–1963). He is considered one of the most outstanding American Catholic theologians of the 20th century, serving as a peritus for Cardinal Ottaviani at the Second Vatican Council
Second 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 also Secretary of the Catholic Theological Society of America.
Having received a B.A. degree from College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, in 1926, Fenton studied for the sacred priesthood at the Grand Seminary in Montreal, Canada, until 1930. On June 14, 1930, Bp. Thomas Michael O'Leary ordained him priest at St. Michael's Cathedral in Springfield, Mass. He obtained a doctorate degree in Sacred Theology from the Angelicum in Rome, writing his dissertation under the direction of Fr. 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.
Fenton was a familiar figure with his cassock and biretta on the campus of The Catholic University of America for 25 years. His students remember him as an imposing person who lectured dramatically and often challenged them with unexpected questions. Fenton's colorful expressions and trenchant observations became legendary.
During his career, Fenton received many ecclesiastical honors from Rome. The Holy See named him a papal chamberlain
Papal chamberlain
Papal chamberlain was one of the highest honours that could be bestowed on a Catholic layman by the Pope, and was often given to members of noble families. It was mostly an honorary position, but a chamberlain served the Pope for one week per year during official ceremonies...
(1951), a domestic prelate (1954), and a protonotary apostolic
Protonotary apostolic
In the Roman Catholic Church, protonotary apostolic is the title for a member of the highest non-episcopal college of prelates in the Roman Curia or, outside of Rome, an honorary prelate on whom the pope has conferred this title and its special privileges.-History:In later antiquity there were in...
(1963). Recipient of the papal medal, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal is an award of the Roman Catholic Church. It is also known as the "Cross of Honour". The medal was established by Leo XIII on July 17, 1888, to commemorate his golden sacerdotal jubilee and was originally bestowed on those women and men who had aided and...
(1954), he belonged to the Pontifical Roman Theological Academy and served as a counselor to the Sacred Congregation of Seminaries and Universities (1950–67).
Throughout his life, Fenton wrote an abundance of articles, especially on ecclesiology and Church-state relations. Most of Fenton's articles were published in the American Ecclesiastical Review, though he also contributed to Columbia, America, Fortnightly Review, Catholic Educational Review and Le Seminaire. Fenton's writing career also encompasses six books which he authored:
- The Theology of Prayer (1939)
- The Concept of Sacred Theology (1941)
- We Stand with Christ (1943)
- The Calling of a Diocesan Priest (1944)
- The Concept of the Diocesan Priesthood (1951)
- The Catholic Church and Salvation (1958)
In 2006, his book The Catholic Church and Salvation, a scholarly in-depth explanation of the Catholic dogma "No Salvation Outside the Church", was republished by the Society of St. Pius V
Society of St. Pius V
The Society of St. Pius V , abreviated SSPV, is a Traditionalist Catholic society of ordained priests formed in 1983 and based in Oyster Bay Cove, New York. The priests of SSPV broke away from the Society of St...
's Seminary Press in Round Top, New York.
During the first years of the Second Vatican Council
Second 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...
, Fenton was a member of the preparatory Theological Commission, the Doctrinal Commission, the Commission on Faith and Morals, and also 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...
. As a controversialist, he is best remembered for his aggressive opposition to John Courtney Murray
John Courtney Murray
John Courtney Murray, , was an American Jesuit priest and theologian, who was especially known for his efforts to reconcile Catholicism and religious pluralism, particularly focusing on the relationship between religious freedom and the institutions of a democratically structured modern...
, S.J., on religious freedom and on the relationship between Church and State.
In December of 1963, Msgr. Fenton resigned as editor of the American Ecclesiastical Review "because of poor health" and became pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Chicopee Falls, Mass. Fenton died of an acute heart attack, apparently in his sleep, on July 7, 1969. He is buried at St. Thomas Cemetery in Palmer, Mass. Photographs of his tombstone may be found here and here.
Msgr. Joseph Clifford Fenton is sometimes confused with Fr. Francis E. Fenton (no relation), founder of the Orthodox Roman Catholic Movement
Orthodox Roman Catholic Movement
The Orthodox Roman Catholic Movement or ORCM is a group of priests founded by Fr. Francis E. Fenton acting on the suggestions of Fr. Joaquin Sáenz y Arriaga, S.J., and was the U.S. organization parallel to the Mexican organization Unión Catolica Trento, founded by Fr. Saenz along with Frs. Moises...
.