Catholic Theological
Society of America

  • Home
  • Remembering Michael A. Fahey, S.J. (d. 3/12/21)

Remembering Michael A. Fahey, S.J. (d. 3/12/21)

03/15/2021 8:23 AM | Anonymous
The CTSA remembers Michael A. Fahey, S.J., Faculty Emeriti, Marquette University Theology, and CTSA President 1983-1984.

May he rest in peace.

Celebrating our Jubilarians  

Presentations (See CTSA Proceedings) at the CTSA include:

  • The Lima Document: Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry 
  • Response to Professor Tavard-I 
  • Presidential Address: 1904-1984, Karl Rahner, Theologian
  • The Nature and Purpose of the Church
  • Ecclesiae Sorores ac Fratres: Sibling Communion in the Pre-Nicene Christian Era
  • A Catholic Response to Faith and Order's "The Nature and Purpose of the Church"
  • The Mission of the Church: To Divinize or To Humanize?

Comments

  • 03/15/2021 9:52 AM | Paul F Lakeland
    I only got to know Michael well towards the end of his life. His final appointment before Campion was as scholar in residence on the Fairfield University campus. Much of the work he did was helping younger scholars plan and perfect their research, but for me he was mostly a genial and generous friend, always ready with a totally hyperbolic blurb for the latest book, and a mine of stories over our monthly lunch at a local restaurant. Always the same restaurant, and--for him--always the same menu item, washed down with a glass or two of wine. He was a model of dignified aging, courageous with his infirmities, and a living witness to the fact that as the years mount up, intellectual curiosity does not have to die. May he rest in peace.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 03/15/2021 11:18 AM | Very Rev. David M. Petras, SEOD
    Fr. Michael Fahey served for many years as a member and then Secretary of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation. We served together many years on this consultation. Michael was a man of integrity - committed, charitable and competent. I have known fewer men with more faith and hope and love. His contribution to the goal of unity is beyond human price. After his retirement, he remarked to me that he looked forward to the things that God has prepared for his beloved. May God remember him forever and bring to completion his work for Orthodox and Catholic unity.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 03/15/2021 11:25 AM | Timothy Brunk
    Michael's wisdom and generosity inspired me when I met him in my first semester of doctoral work at Marquette University.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 03/15/2021 11:29 AM | Michael Attridge
    I first met Michael in 1992 when I was doing my graduate studies at St. Michael's in Toronto and he was Dean. We developed an immediate friendship. Every Friday I would see him in the library going through the latest issues of periodicals, writing down the titles of articles and taking note of who were the up-and-coming young academics. Mentoring younger scholars in their research and writing was a vocation for him. When he was editor of _Theological Studies_ he would delight when an article appeared by a first time author. We stayed in contact after he left Toronto and would regularly get together for dinner at conferences. He loved to tell stories. They didn't always have to be true, but they always had to be humourous. Michael was a gentleman, kind and generous, always more interested in others than himself. Even in his final years at Campion Centre, whenever we spoke he never drew attention to his own health. He will be missed. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 03/15/2021 11:47 AM | Rev Thomas P Rausch SJ
    An accomplished scholar, ecumenist, and long time editor of Theological Studies, Michael was a genial and always encouraging colleague and friend. I first became acquainted with him through the International Congress of Jesuit Ecumenists, where he always worked for reconciliation between traditions. We will miss his wise counsel and always cherish his memory.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 03/15/2021 2:48 PM | Jon Nilson
    As President of the Society, I was delighted and privileged to confer our highest honor, the John Courtney Murray award, on Mike in 2003 with the unanimous and enthusiastic approval of the officers and board of directors. The print version of our Proceedings contains the citation that accompanied the award. May he continue to serve the Church and the CTSA with his prayer for us.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 03/17/2021 9:34 AM | C Colt Anderson
    I was one of the young scholars that Michael had decided to help and we grew to be friends over the years. Michael came to know my wife, Rose, and my daughters, Rachel and Kristen. We would visit him when he was at Fairfield University and he was always very gracious.

    Michael was generous with his time. We had many conversations about projects I was working on and Michael almost always knew of some new scholarship that would be helpful or that might complicate my work. When I first became a dean I was part of a Lily grant to develop Christian leaders and Michael agreed to serve as my coach for a year. He continued to advise me when I came to Fordham as a dean.

    Michael and a handful of other scholars like him (I am thinking of CTSA members George Tavard, Ewert Cousins, Zach Hayes, John Burkhardt, and Jeff Gros ), created a network of support for me. Though I am neither as accomplished nor as well connected as Michael, I have always tried to help junior scholars in the ways that I can. I thank God for the gift of Michael Fahey in my life and I miss him dearly.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 03/22/2021 10:06 PM | John Borelli
    Michael and I became collaborators and, almost immediately, friends in 1987 when I first staffed the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation while he served as its Catholic secretary. Respectful and encouraging, he generously provided insightful background information, suggested sensible steps forward, shared his criticism and impatience with current arguments, and showed respect for careful, scholarly engagement. We had countless exchanges, often by phone, and seized and celebrated what ecumenical success could be had. He eagerly read what I published, and good-heartedly informed me when he discovered my published reports and opinions. Long after he stepped down, his scholarly patronage continued to define our friendship, and was always a gracious host. “Let’s meet for a drink before dinner,” and then added, “and put on a jacket because we will make it a nice occasion.”
    Link  •  Reply
  • 03/26/2021 11:45 AM | Mary Sheehan
    Michael Fahey was Dean at the Faculty of Theology of the University of St. Michael's College when I was there as Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology. I also had some sub-administrative responsibilities and I remember so well our chats in his office about this and that issue. He had an uncommon wisdom, a dry wit, and an unfailing commitment to the ecumenical mission of the Toronto School of Theology, and he was fully supportive of the women on the Faculty. May you continue, Michael, to endow us with wisdom, wit, and respect from your life now in the Fullness of Light, Life, and Love!
    Link  •  Reply
  • 06/07/2021 12:29 PM | M Shawn Copeland
    Michael Fahey was the most generous and gracious of human beings. I was privileged to know him at Marquette University. He was a warm, thoughtful, and encouraging colleague and particularly devoted to our doctoral students. Under Michael's guidance and support, Theological Studies dedicated an entire issue to the exploration of Black Catholic Theology including a response by James H. Cone himself. May he rest in peace.
    Link  •  Reply

©2019 Catholic Theological Society of America. All Rights Reserved.
Catholic Theological Society of America is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

CTSA Privacy Policy - GDPR Compliant


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software