* The Vatican vs. Yale Divinity School

Yale Daily News

Friday, September 7, 2012

Margaret Farley’s influence

The New York Times (“Vatican ScoldsNun for Book on Sexuality,” June 5) recounts the Vatican’s displeasure at the book Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics by Sister Margaret Farley and puts the lie to all of those on the Yale Daily News web site’s posting board who have mocked and trivialized both the Yale Divinity School and its curriculum.

Sister Margaret was a respected faculty member when I was a student (’76–’80) and continued to teach there until her retirement a few years ago.

It is clear from this article that her influence (and, by extension, Yale Divinity School’s influence) has had a world-wide impact in the realm of religious ethics. The Vatican finds that to be the case and attempts to snuff that influence out.

I suggest that those who would criticize Yale Divinity School and its curriculum need to look closer at the history of its leadership in the religious and ethical revolutions of the world which proceed quietly, unseen by the media but felt by millions.

Paul Keane

June 5

The writer is a 1980 graduate of the Divinity School.