The Jesuit-Vaiṣṇava Overlap
A Review of Francis X. Clooney’s Hindu and Catholic, Priest and Scholar: A Love Story
Keywords:
Francis X. Clooney, Jesuit, Śrīvaiṣṇavism, Comparative Theology, Rāmānuja, Hindu-Christian Dialogue, Mīmāṃsā, Vatican II, Nostra Aetate, Interreligious StudiesAbstract
This article critically examines Francis X. Clooney’s memoir, Hindu and Catholic, Priest and Scholar: A Love Story, exploring the intersections of his Jesuit identity with his deep engagement in Śrīvaiṣṇavism. Katherine K. Young analyzes Clooney’s methodological approach to comparative theology, emphasizing his focus on close textual readings, interreligious dialogue, and the influence of Vatican II’s Nostra Aetate. While acknowledging Clooney’s scholarly contributions—particularly his work on Rāmānuja and Mīmāṃsā—the review raises questions about historical contextualization, theological boundaries, and the selective emphasis on similarities between Hinduism and Christianity. Young highlights Clooney’s avoidance of contentious issues like caste and syncretism, contrasting his approach with earlier Jesuit missionaries like Roberto de Nobili. The article concludes by appreciating Clooney’s personal and intellectual journey while calling for further critical engagement with Śrīvaiṣṇava history and hermeneutics.
