Jonathan Heaps, a faculty member who has taught in the Core for several years, recently published an article in Commonweal. This publication is known for featuring work by Catholic intellectuals such as Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton.
In his article, Heaps connects the ideas of Jesuit philosopher and theologian Bernard Lonergan with contemporary political issues. The Core program at Seton Hall University emphasizes linking the Catholic intellectual tradition to current events. Lonergan’s work, which emerged during the twentieth century, remains relevant today.
Heaps currently serves as the Toth-Lonergan Visiting Professor for spring 2026. In this role, he led a discussion for Praxis, a Faculty Development initiative started by Monsignor Richard Liddy and now led by Linda Garafalo, Danute Nourse, and Francia Peterson. Praxis brings together faculty from various disciplines to study Lonergan’s works and relate them to their own fields.
Heaps has previously published on Lonergan. His book “The Ambiguity of Being: Bernard Lonergan and the Problems of the Supernatural” was featured in last spring’s Scholars’ Forum.
As director of the Lonergan Institute and adjunct faculty member in the University Core, Heaps commented on how his recent article aligns with his teaching:
“The idea for this article was very much in line with my approach to teaching ‘Core II: Christianity and Culture in Dialogue.’ How can we be enriched and empowered by recovering the experiences and ideas of thinkers who came before us to think about what the Catholic Intellectual Tradition has to offer our country and our culture today? I wanted to put Father Lonergan into that dialogue for our moment.”
The Core program expressed appreciation for faculty like Heaps who contribute their scholarship to Seton Hall students and colleagues.
