Welcome to Thursday. Is the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith returning to its practice of controlling theological debate? A new documentary looks at the continuing history of voter suppression. The first presidential debate happened and climate change was one of the topics.

Fidelity oaths spark fear of return to theological silencing

Several theologians are concerned about how the Vatican's doctrinal office has handled the case of Redemptorist Fr. Tony Flannery, saying the decision to issue fidelity oaths to the priest over his support for women's ordination appears out of line with Pope Francis' calls for open dialogue.

They also wonder if Flannery's treatment might signal that the powerful Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is returning to its practice of tightly controlling the bounds of theological debate, which in previous decades led to the silencing of theologians and priests around the world.

The Vatican congregation became particularly known for cracking down on the work of theologians during the papacy of John Paul II, when it was led for 24 years by German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI.

During Ratzinger's tenure, the congregation contacted many theologians to make inquiries about the legitimacy of their work. Many cases attracted global attention - such as those of Sri Lankan Oblate Fr. Tissa Balasuriya, Belgian Jesuit Fr. Jacques Dupuis and U.S. Jesuit Fr. Roger Haight - but it remains unknown just how many such cases existed.

More background:

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith tells Redemptorist Fr. Tony Flannery to sign fidelity oaths to Catholic teachings, or remain suspended.
The head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith defended his office's request that Redemptorist Fr. Tony Flannery sign four strict oaths of fidelity to Catholic teachings, saying the move, while "very unpleasant," was part of their duty as the global church's orthodoxy watchdogs.
Pope Benedict XVI might have wanted to fade into a quiet retirement of books and music, but Catholics with long memories remember when Joseph Ratzinger was in charge of upholding orthodoxy.

Voting rights at the forefront in 'All In: The Fight for Democracy'

The most frightening film of 2020, according to NCR film reviewer Pauline Sr. Rose Pacatte, is Amazon's "All In: The Fight for Democracy."

In this documentary, Stacey Abrams, 2018 Democratic candidate for governor of Georgia, guides viewers through the shameful history of voter suppression in the United States, while also revealing ongoing voter suppression for African Americans primarily, but also for Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans, the poor and college students.

The film looks at new efforts emerging in several states, including Kansas and Wisconsin, to suppress voting, making the case that it's easier to win an election when fewer people vote.

More headlines

ICYMI: Debate No. 1 goes to former Vice President Joe Biden, as even moderator Chris Wallace was exasperated by President Donald Trump's constant interruptions, says NCR political columnist Michael Sean Winters. And climate change made a surprise appearance at the presidential debate for the first time since 2008, though it was not on the list of questions initially planned.
At Global Sisters Report, religious in Kenya are among those trying to find a solution to rising cases of teen pregnancies, as some men use the COVID-19 lockdown to lure girls into sex in exchange for money to meet basic needs that schools would have provided.
For those who care about the minds and hearts of Trump backers or look to change their votes, there are likely larger, more pervasive issues of wounded self-respect in the shadows, writes NCR columnist Ken Briggs.