Anthony De Mello - His Life and His Spirituality : The Definitive Biography

The publication of the Notification concerning the writings of Father Anthony de Mello, S.J., issued by Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on 24 June 1998, was a shock to Christians, as well as to non-Christians, all over the world. People, who had known Father Anthony de Mello (1931–1987) personally or through his writings, were at a loss as to why a solemn notification was needed to warn Catholics against a person in whom they had recognised a healthy sanctity rather than a danger to the faith. In this book, Anand Nayak gives a short biography of Tony de Mello and then outlines his spiritual teachings. Having pointed out the context of de Mello's work, and the various particular approaches which he adapted, the author then turns to a detailed examination of the Notification and its approach to Fr de Mello's work. He points out clearly the weaknesses and misunderstandings that underlie the document. A final chapter looks at various responses across the world and tries once again to put Anthony de Mello in context as a teacher, a prophet and a healer. Anand Nayak is professor of Missiology and Comparative Religions at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. Born at Mangalore, India, in 1942, he was a member of the Society of Jesus from 1958 to 1976. During this period he came to know Father Anthony de Mello well and learned under his guidance the art of meditation sadhana. He promotes de Mello's teachings in Switzerland, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Canada. He conducts regular sadhana courses at Lassalle-Haus, the Jesuit retreat house at Edlibach (Zug) near Zürich. The publication of the Notification concerning the writings of Father Anthony de Mello, S J, issued by Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on June 24 1998, was a shock to Christians, all over the world. This work begins with a short biography of Father Anthony de Mello (1931-1987) and then examines his spiritual teachings. In this book, Anand Nayak begins with a short biography of Father Anthony de Mello (1931-1987) and then examines his spiritual teachings. The publication of the Notification concerning the writings of Father Anthony de Mello, S.J., issued by Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on June 24 1998, was a shock to Christians, as well as to non-Christians, all over the world. People, who had known Tony de Mello personally or through his writings, were at loss as to why a solemn notification was needed to warn Catholics against a person in whom they had recognised a healthy sanctity rather than a danger to the faith. Having pointed out the context of de Mello's work, and the various particular approaches which he adapted, the author then turns to a detailed examination of the Notification and its approach to Fr de Mello's work. He points out clearly the weaknesses and misunderstandings that underlie the document. A final chapter looks at various responses across the world and tries once again to put Anthony de Mello in context as a teacher, a prophet and a healer Fr. Anthony de Mello was an Indian priest whose many spiritual publications were informed by his extensive worldly studies. He organized prayer retreats, was a gifted public speaker, and established a prayer center in India. However, after his death in 1987, Fr. De Mello's books were deemed "incompatible" with the Catholic faith and were suppressed. The ban was lifted but his books were still sold with a disclaimer, distancing him from the Church. This book is a biography of Fr. De Mello and an exploration of his association with the Catholic Church. The author examines the Notification and its approach to Fr. de Mello's work, pointing out clearly the weaknesses and misunderstandings that underlie the conflict, and concludes with a look at the worldwide response, trying to put Anthony de Mello once again in context as a teacher, a prophet and a healer.