The Lonergan Project at the Gregorian is pleased to present this event.

Prof. Neil Ormerod is a theologian of international reputation who, as well as having produced many books, has contributed 18 articles to the journal, Theological Studies. His talk with us will be based on an article published in that journal in 2018, "Sacred Heart, Beatific Mind: Exploring the Consciousness of Jesus." The abstract for this article reads: Traditional Christologies have focused attention on the question of Jesus’ beatific knowing. On the other hand, recent explorations into Spirit Christology raise different questions about his affectivity. Both issues highlight a concern with Jesus’ psychological experience.

The present article proposes that both these issues can be fruitfully examined through the lens of the psychological analogy for the Trinity. In particular, Bernard Lonergan’s developments of the analogy drawing as they do on the experience of grace, shed a new and helpful light on the question of Jesus’ knowing and loving. This approach alleviates some of the more problematic aspects of the traditional approach to Jesus’ beatific vision, while also providing a more solid trinitarian basis for Catholic devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus." 

After the lecture a discussion with the audience will follow, which will include responses to the talk from members of our monthly reading seminar, the "Lonergan Club."