The Catholic Theological Society of America Records

An Inventory of Catholic Theological Society of America Records at the American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives

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Mailing Address: The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. 20064

Telephone: 202-319-5065

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Desriptive Summary
Repository:	The American Catholic Research Center and University Archives
Creator:	The Catholic Theological Society of America
Title:	The Catholic Theological Society of America Records
Dates:	1946-2010
Extent:	31 linear feet; 25 boxes
Abstract:	The Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA) was formed in New York City in 1946. The CTSA is a professional organization that works to promote studies and research in theology, to relate theological reflection to current problems, and to raise the professional standards of seminary teaching. The records provide necessary background material from the Society's activities, showing the its evolution from being primarily an association of seminary professors to being a society open to religious, laity, and clerics without distinction. They include correspondence, minutes, reports, publications, and financial records.
Collection Number:	88
Language:	English

Historical Note

A group of Catholic University of America (CUA) theological faculty members saw the need in the fall of 1945 for a professional association of Catholic theologians similar to the existing associations of philosophers, historians, sociologists, and biblical scholars. The group obtained the episcopal approval and patronage of the Archbishop of New York. It is legally incorporated in the State of New York as a non-profit corporation. With the appointment of temporary officers, the Society convened its first annual meeting in June 1946 in New York City.

The Board of Directors oversees the Society and consists of ten members who serve two year terms. These are the current president, the president-elect, the vice president, the secretary, the treasurer, the immediate Past Presiden, and four others. At each annual convention a new vice-president is elected who then moves on to become president-elect and president. Among the notable presidents have been Francis J. Connell in 1946-1947, Charles Curran in 1969-1970, Carl J. Peter in 1971-1972, Avery Dulles in 1975-1976, and Monika K. Hellwig in 1986-1987. There are standing committees for nomination, admissions, and resolutions. In addition, there are ad hoc committees on special research projects and cooperation with the hierarchy or other professional associations.

After Vatican Council II the Society changed the academic requirements for membership. This change allowed more religious and laity to apply for membership. The subjects treated at the annual meetings broadened from those related to a seminary curriculum to all phases of life. With a decline in the study of Latin has come the concern that many theologians no longer have the tools of access to their Catholic theological traditions. The Society has striven for greater cooperation with the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and in particular with its Committee on Doctrine.

The society publishes its annual proceedings as well as special study projects such as Women in Church and Society in 1978 and the Report on the Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity in 1990.

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Scope and Contents

This is a finding aid following the minimal processing standards of More Product Less Process (MPLP) used in order to promote greater access to this valuable collection.

The first series contains Board of Directors Records 1951(1958-1992)1992 in boxes 1-3. The records have been divided into four subseries. The first subseries is the CTSA Constitution and it Bylaws (1953-1982). The second subseries has correspondence, 1951-1992, and some news clippings. The third subseries contains the Board's meeting minutes and exhibits, 1960-1992. The files include one bound ledger with handwritten minutes. Topics of the meetings of the Committee on Current Problems are Morality of Gambling, Laws of Fast and Abstinence, The Morality of Pre-Frontal Lobotomy, The Moral Problems of Biological Warfare, Governmental Suppression of Subversive Organizations, Morality of the Truth Serum in Criminal Investigations, Relationships with Non-Catholics in the Light of Recent Papal Directives. The fourth subseries consists of committee files, 1946-1992, that are sorted by committee name and date.

The second series contains the executive secretary correspondence of Luke C. Salm, 1976-1985. Other secretary correspondence is filed in the third series, Elected CTSA Officers' Records.

The third series includes Elected CTSA Officers' Records, 1945-1992 and is divided into four subseries. The first subseries has Mixed Officers' Correspondence, 1945-1964. The second subseries contains Individual Officers' Records, including Presidents' Correspondence, sorted chronologically by name of President, and file boxes of membership cards. The third subseries contains Secretaries' Records, including Correspondence, Membership Records, and Directories. The fourth subseries is the Treasurers' Records and is sorted chronologically by Treasurers' name. These records include correspondence, ledgers, bank stubs, and financial reports.

The fourth series contains Convention Records, 1946-1992, and is divided into two subseries. The first subseries is Convention Correspondence, 1945-1992, including documents from the International Congress of Learned Societies in the Field of Religion. These files also contain three copies of a convention program: Religion and the Humanizing of Man (Los Angeles, 1972). The second subseries contains the records for the periodical "Proceedings" (1949-1991). These records include Editorial Correspondence, 1949-1991; Copyright Correspondence, 1952-1977; Book Reviews, 1967-1984; and copies of "Proceedings," volumes 1-46, (see addendum). The annual convention progressed from a few major papers to an elaborate program of plenary addresses, seminars, workshops, and special interest functions. It became the vice-president's responsibility to plan the annual convention. These records will be found in the third series, Elected Officers' Records, under the individual's name.

The fifth series is Regional Meeting Records, 1955-1985, including Annual Reports and Correspondence. These records are arranged alphabetically by place.

The sixth series is the Addendum of miscellaneous and unprocessed records, 1950-2010, of the multiple accessions received since 1992 from various officers and stored in boxes 11-25. Additional record deposits are expected and the material in this series will hopefully be processed in greater detail at a future date. The aforementioned convention proceedings are herein as well.

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Arrangement

The Catholic Theological Society of America records, 1946-1992, are organized into 5 Series:

Series 1: Board of Directors Records, 1951, 1958-1992, Boxes 1-3

Series 2: Executive Secretary Correspondence, 1976-1984, Box 3

Series 3: Elected Officers Records, 1945-1992, Boxes 4-9

Series 4: Convention Records, 1946-1992, Boxes 9-10

Series 5: Regional Meeting Records, 1951-1967, Box 10

Series 6: Addendum: Miscellaneous and Unprocessed, 1946-2010, Boxes 11-25

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Permission of the current CTSA president in writing or email to the CUA Archivist or Associate Archivist.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Received in multiple accessions from various CTSA officers, 1977-2009.

Processing Information

Processing by H. Warren Willis in 1992, with additional contributions from William John Shepherd, 1993-2008, and Raymond Moore in 2011. EAD markup completed in December 2011 by Cynthia Farnquist and William John Shepherd, with special thanks to Robin C. Pike.

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Related Material

American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives:

College Theology Society Records

Frederick Richard McManus Papers

Notre Dame University Archives:

Canon Law Society of America Records

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Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Persons:

A.E. Patrick

Avery Dulles

C. Luke Salm

Cardinal Spellman

Carl J. Peter

Charles E. Curran

E.R. Carroll

Edmond D. Benard

Edward Schillebeeckx

F.S. Fiorenza

Francis J. Connell

G. Kilcourse

J.E. Rea

John H. Wright

K.B. Osborne

Leo J. O'Donovan

M.J. Buckley

M.J. Scanlon

P. Granfield

P.D. Morris

P.E. McKeever

R.A. McCormick

Raymond Lucker

Richard P. McBrien

T.F. O'Meara

W.J. Hill

Walter H. Principe

Walter J. Burghardt

Organizations:

Canon Law Society of America

Catholic Theological Society of America

Catholic University of America

College Theology Society

Places:

New York

Subjects:

Catholic Church

Catholic Universities and Colleges

Congresses

Doctrines

History -- 20th century

Liturgy -- Pontifical

Periodicals

Sacraments and Christian Union

Sex -- Religious Aspects -- Christianity

Sexual Ethics

Theology

Women in the Catholic Church

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Bibliography

Catholic Theological Society of America web site

Rodgers, Rosemary. A History of the College Theology Society. Villanova, Pennsylvania: College Theology Society, 1983.

Yocum Mize, Sandra. Joining the Revolution in Theology: the College Theology Society, 1954-2004. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield, 2007.

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Detailed Description of the Collection


Series 1: Board of Directors' Records, 1951, 1958-1992 (3 Boxes)
This series is divided into 4 subseries: Constitution and By-Laws, Correspondence, and Minutes and Exhibits in box 1; Committee Files, A-T, in boxes 2-3.
Subseries 1.1: Constitution and By-laws, 6/24/1953-1982
Box	Folder
1	1	Constitution and By-laws, 1953-1982
Subseries 1.2: Correspondence, 11/14/1951-4/6/1992
The earliest records are arranged alphabetically by addressee. From 1965, the individual president's correspondence is arranged by date.
Box	Folder
1	2-22	Correspondence, 1951-1992
Subseries 1.3: Minutes and Exhibits, 6/20/1960-6/7/1992
Minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors were not kept until 1960. Minutes of the annual business meeting of the Society, held during the convention, are published in the "Proceedings."
Box	Folder
1	23-85	Minutes and Exhibits, 1960-1992
Subseries 1.4: Committee Files, A-T, 1946-1992
The first Society committee was the Committee on Current Problems, which first met on 12/11/1946. Some committee terminology is not always consistently used. A few are standing committees, and the ad hoc committees could continue for a few months or for several years.
Box	Folder
2	1-2	Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on the Imprimatur and Doctrinal Responsibilities Correspondence, 6/13/1984-5/7/1986
	3	Admissions Committee Correspondence, 10/30/1974-4/23/1992
	4-24	Committee for a Statement of N. American Concerns Correspondence, 3/27/1989-6/4/1991
	25-29	Committee for Liaison with the Bishops' Committee on Doctrine Correspondence, 11/4/1966-8/9/1975
	30	Committee for the Study of the Permanent Diaconate Correspondence, 6/30/1970-2/5/1973
	31	Committee on Cooperation between Theologians and the Church's Teaching Authority Correspondence, 1/30/1980-6/1980
	32	Minutes of Meetings, 12/11/1946-10/25/1950 Bound Volume
	33-35	Committee on Current Problems Correspondence, 12/11/1946-1969
	36	Committee on Ecclesiastical Academic Legislation (Sapientia Christiana) Correspondence, 6/1979-6/7/1980
	37-38	Committee on Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Hospitals Correspondence, 11/17/1971-3/5/1973
	39	Committee on Penance Correspondence, 9/6/1972-10/27/1975
	40	Committee on Research and Publications Correspondence, 4/17/1980-6/14/1991
	41	Committee on Research and Publications: Union Catalog Correspondence, 1/16/1950-11/16/1960
	42-52	Committee on the Award for Theology Correspondence, 5/29/1952-7/16/1991
	53	Committee on the History of the CTSA Correspondence, 10/20/1990-1/18/1992
	54	Committee on the Problem of Second Marriages Correspondence, 11/17/1971-8/16/1972
	55-62	Committee on the Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity Correspondence, 4/9/1989-10/25/1991
	63-68	Human Sexuality Correspondence, 9/10/1972-6/29/1976
Box	Folder
3	1-14	Human Sexuality Correspondence, 7/2/1976-10/31/1985
	15	Intersocietal Committee on Academic Freedom and Ecclesial Responsibility Correspondence, 4/4/1987-5/9/1988
	16-20	Joint Committee of Catholic Learned Societies and Scholars Correspondence, 12/10/1974-3/26/1992
	21-23	Metropolis: Christian Presence and Responsibility Correspondence, 1969-3/14/1971
	24-26	National Catechetical Directory Consultation Correspondence, 1/23/1973-5/16/1975
	27-30	NCCB Committee for Liaison with Priests, Religious and Laity Correspondence, 3/13/1974-1/2/1975
	31-32	NCCB Committee on Doctrine: Doctrinal Responsibilities Correspondence, 11/17/1988-7/24/1990
	33	Pontifical Document on Catholic Universities, Text, 7/15/1985
	34-35	Pontifical Document on Catholic Universities Correspondence, 10/19/1985-1/30/1986
	36-37	Committee on Bilaterals Correspondence, 9/13/1971-10/20/1974
	38-46	Research Team on Bilateral Consultations, 9/20/1976-11/1/1979
	47-50	Research Team on Bilateral Consultations, Resource File, 1979
	51	Research Team on the Lima Document: "Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry" Correspondence, 8/26/1985-3/17/1986
	52	Research Team to Study the Present State of Theology and Religious Studies as Distinct Disciplines Correspondence, 6/1979-1980
	53-54	Search Committee for Executive Secretary Correspondence, 6/15/1988-5/16/1991
	55	Statement on Academic Freedom and Due Process Correspondence, 6/1979-2/26/1980
	56	The Status of Women in Church and Society Correspondence, 6/4/1974-11/27/1979
	57	Task Force on the Letter: Partners in the Mystery of Redemption, Correspondence, 4/26/1988-10/4/1989

Series 2: Executive Secretary Correspondence, 7/23/1976-9/23/1985 (1 Box)

As the Society grew in membership and because of the annual change of the president and vice-president, the Board of Directors saw the need of a permanent executive secretary to take care of certain ongoing responsibilities and to provide continuity in managing the Society's operations. An executive secretary was appointed who would attend the Board of Directors' meetings with voice but without vote.

Box

Folder

58-63

Salm, C. Luke, 7/23/1976-9/23/1985

Series 3: Elected CTSA Officers' Records, 1945-1991 (6 Boxes)

Subseries 3.1: Mixed Officers' Correspondence, 10/31/1945-7/16/1964

These files were arranged alphabetically by addressee by Rev. Alfred C. Rush, the Society's first archivist. They have been preserved in their original order.

Box

Folder

1-39

Mixed Officers' Correspondence, 10/31/1945-7/16/1964

Subseries 3.2: Individual Officer Records: Presidents' Correspondence, 1945-1991

The correspondence of the president from June 1965 to June 1966 is the earliest to be maintained intact.

Box

Folder

Carroll, E.R., 12/11/1964-2/1/1966

McKeever, P.E., 9/12/1966-6/7/1967

42-43

Burghardt, W.J., 4/20/1951-3/23/1968

44-45

McCormick, R.A. , 6/17/1970-6/14/1971

Peter, C.J., 9/9/1971-6/11/1974

47-61

Wright, J.H., 6/22/1971-7/26/1973

62-70

McBrien, R.P., 7/17/1969-1980

71-73

Salm, C.L., 6/20/1973-7/15/1975

74-85

Dulles, A., 6/17/1975-11/15/1976

Osborne, K.B., 3/16/1978-5/29/1979

87-88

Hill, W.J., 5/8/1979-6/23/1980

89-90

O'Meara, T.F., 8/15/1980-1/31/1985

Granfield, P., 1985

92-100

Fiorenza, F.S., 5/2/1983-2/20/1987

Box

Folder

1-6

Fiorenza, F.S., 5/2/1983-2/20/1987

7-10

Patrick, A.E., 9/22/1988-5/19/1990

11-38

Principe, W.E., 12/12/1986-11/22/1991

39-50

Buckley, M.J., 11/18/1989-3/1992

Subseries 3.2: Secretaries Records, 1946-1991

The correspondence of the secretary can be found in various officers' files in addition to this general file.

Box

Folder

Box B

Membership Cards, 1959-1971

Box C

Former Member Cards, 1946-1972

Box

Folder

1-3

Correspondence, 10/15/1949-5/7/1991

Box A

Membership Cards, 1959-1971

Box 1

Membership Cards, A-M, 1962-1969

Box 2

Membership Cards, N-Z, 1962-1969

4-15

Membership Lists, 1959-1970

Box

Folder

1-3

Membership Lists, 1970-1975

Membership Distribution, 1963-1964

Deceased Members, 1961-64, 1980

Directories, 1963

7-29

Directories Correspondence, 11/9/1976-1/24/1978

30-46

Council of Societies for the Study of Religion Correspondence, 10/1/1969-11/7/1989

47-55

Administrative Service Center Correspondence, 5/25/1970-7/31/1979

56-57

ACLS Travel Grants Correspondence, 11/7/1969-4/21/1975

CTSA Proceedings Correspondence, 5/28/1973-4/28/1975

Subseries 3.4: Treasurers' Records, 1946-1991

The correspondence of the treasurer is the bulk of the financial record of the Society, besides what is published in the "Proceedings."

Box

Folder

59-62

Rea, J.E., Financial Records, 1946-1970

63-70

Salm, C.L., Correspondence, 2/27/1959-3/18/1969

Box

Folder

1-2

Salm, C.L., Correspondence, 4/8/1969-8/6/1970

3-15

Salm, C.L., Financial Records, 10/1959-10/1970

16-28

Morris, P.D., Correspondence, 1/26/1970-12/5/1975

29-37

Morris, P.D., Financial Records, 7/13/1970-9/29/1975

Box

Folder

Scanlon, M.J., Correspondence, 10/29/1974-8/1975

Kilcourse, G., Correspondence, 10/22/1983-10/22/1987

3-9

Bishops' Fund Drive Correspondence, 2/23/1971-8/8/1991

10-11

Financial Reports, 12/31/1959-12/31/1980

Series 4: Convention Records, 1946-1992 (2 Boxes)

When the preparations for the more recent conventions are the work of an individual president or vice-president, these records will be found under the individual's name in Series 3: Elected Officers' records.

Subseries 4.1: Convention Correspondence, 4/25/1946-6/14/1992

Box

Folder

12-75

Convention Correspondence, 4/25/1946-6/18/1987

Box

Folder

1-15

Convention Correspondence, 7/7/1987-6/14/1992

Subseries 4.2:Proceedings Records, 1949-1991

Folder

16-47

Editorial Correspondence, 12/19/1949-6/27/1991

Box

Folder

49-50

Book Reviews, 1967-1984

Series 5: Regional Meeting Records, 1954-1985 (1 Box)

In the 1950s and 1960s, theologians in a geographical area met once or twice a year to hear papers on a timely subject.

Box

Folder

Annual Reports, 6/27/1955-6/26/1957

52-62

Correspondence, 5/24/1954-6/5/1985

Series 6: Addendum: Miscellaneous and Unprocessed Records 1946-2010 (15 boxes)

These unprocessed records, as indicated above, have not yet been organized and integrated but a preliminary box listing of the various accessions was made and is presented here until such time as a more detailed finding aid can be completed.

Box

(Acc. #94-49) Ann Patrick Files, 1983-1990

Committee file on Doctrinal Responsibilities and file of fragmentary Correspondence


		(Acc. #96-20) Membership Records, 1950s
				Cards (5 X 8) that include information on members’ academic affiliations and special interests


		(Acc. #96-20) Sister Agnes Cunningham Presidential Records, 1976-1977
				Two large folders

Box

(Acc. #96-22) Sister Agnes Cunningham Presidential Records, 1976-1977

Correspondence, Reports, Publications, Correspondence with Church Organizations, Human Sexuality

Box