Terrence W. Tilley, Ph.D., chair of Fordham’s Department of Theology, was installed as the 63rd president of the Catholic Theological Society of America at the society’s 2008 convention on June 8 in Miami.
In this position, Tilley hopes to improve the communications between theologians and bishops, and to help to integrate a new generation of theologians into the society.
“New patterns of relating theology to the life of the faith are emerging,” he said, explaining his decision to establish “Generations” as this year’s convention theme. “Younger theologians – meaning those who either entered the field or were born after the Second Vatican Council – have neither the baggage nor the ballast that their older colleagues have.”
The author of many scholarly books and articles, Tilley came to Fordham in 2006. He also has taught at Georgetown University, St. Michael’s College, the University of Vermont, Florida State University and the University of Dayton, where he chaired the Department of Religious Studies. A native of Milwaukee, he earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of San Francisco in 1970 and his doctoral degree at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif. in 1976. His wife, Maureen Tilley, Ph.D., also teaches theology at Fordham.
Tilley is the third Fordham faculty member to hold this position. The others were Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J. (1975-1976) and Elizabeth Johnson, C.S.J. (1995-1996).
The Catholic Theological Association of America’s purpose, within the context of the Roman Catholic tradition, is 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.
