Things Seen and Unseen: A Catholic Theologian's Notebook

Gleaned from a 20-year-old collection of notebooks containing his reflections, this latest work by Cunningham, a University of Notre Dame theology professor, is filled with short and provocative , if disconnected, tidbits, jottings, thoughts, and opinions. Cunningham's short takes on subjects spanning prayer, atheism, the disappearing independent bookstore, and a scholar's life are written in true notebook style; he sets down an idea and works out his thoughts. He is at his best when he takes an uncommon view, such as saying he is less bothered by "spasms of anti-Catholicism" in the culture than he would be if there were a total lack of interest in his faith. "It would be a sign of irrelevancy," he writes. In opening his private musings to public view, however, Cunningham has left intact an occasional but unfortunate condescending tone that seems out of character for someone who presumably supports a diversity of ideas. For instance, he expresses his distaste for the Catholic Tridentine Mass in a way that is less than respectful of those who prefer this worship form. His references to some of the new Catholic colleges and his treatment of TV reporters are similarly dismissive. Nonetheless, readers cannot help finding his writing thought provoking. (Oct.)