Rev. Thomas Berry, C.P. (1914 -2009)

The Passionists -

St. Paul of the Cross Province

Thomas Berry (1914-2009), Passionist priest and internationally recognized historian of cultures, died on June 1st, 2009 at Well-Spring Retirement Community, Greensboro, North Carolina. His writings and lectures on the relation of humans with the cosmos and the earth have notably influenced the intellectual and spiritual history of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.

Originally named after his father, William Nathan Berry, founder of Berico Fuels Company (1924), this second of eight sons in a family of thirteen children adopted the name Thomas (after philosopher-theologian Thomas Aquinas 1225-1274) following 1933 entry into the Passionist Religious Order. Thomas began doctoral studies in history at the Catholic University of America, writing on the historical theory of Italian philosopher- historian Gianbattista Vico 1668-1744, published by the Catholic University of America Press in 1951.

Believing the wisdom of Asia indispensable for adequate learning, Thomas went to China in 1948 to teach at Fu Jen Catholic University in Beijing and returned to America when Mao took over China in 1949. Subsequent studies in Chinese language and culture at Seton Hall University and, later, Sanskrit and South Asian culture at Columbia University were interrupted by service as United States Army Chaplain in Germany 1951-54. Afterwards Thomas undertook a teaching career, first with the Asian Institute of Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, 195661; then with the Asian Institute at St. John's University (1961-65); finally, as Associate Professor of Religion at Fordham University (1966-79), where he instituted the doctoral program in the History of Religions.

In 1970 Thomas inaugurated the Riverdale Center for Religious Research (1970-95) in Riverdale, NY. From this base and with his presidency of the American Teilhard Society (1975-1987), Thomas's international influence as thinker, writer, and lecturer expanded rapidly. Annual Riverdale conferences explored themes such as Energy: Its Cosmic-Human Dimensions; The Future: Technological Society Man's Covenant?; New York as Sacred City ; and The Ecological Age. From across the globe scholars and others came to the Center for rethinking their disciplines in the light of newly understood relations of humans to earth. These activities culminated in the 1998 founding of the Thomas Berry Foundation, an integral part of the Yale-based international Forum on Religion and Ecology (FORE), directed by Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim of Yale University.

Besides eleven collections known as the Riverdale Papers, the most influential of Thomas Berry's books are The Dream of the Earth (1988, winner of the 1992 National Lannan Non-Fiction Award); The Universe Story: From the Primordial Flaring Forth to the Ecozoic Era (1992) in collaboration with mathematical-cosmologist Brian Swimme); and The Great Work: Our Way Into the Future (1999).

Thomas's awards include seven honorary doctorates; the United States Catholic Mission Association Award (1989); the 1992 James Herriot Award of the Humane Society of the United States; Honorary Canonship of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine (1992); the 1993 Bishop Carroll T. Dozier Medal for Peace and Justice; the Catholic University of America Alumni Award for Research and Scholarship (1993); the 1992 Prescott College Environmental Award; annual Thomas Berry Lecture Awards established, respectively, by the College of Mt. St. Vincent on the Hudson and, in Washington, DC, by the Center for Respect of Life and Environment and the Humane Society of the United States; a Thomas Berry Hall and Thomas Berry Seminars at Whidbey Institute on Whidbey Island near Seattle, WA.

Preceded in death by brothers John Vize (and wife Jessie Douglas), James Fant (and wife Mary Elizabeth Looram), and Joseph Louis; and by sisters Sister Mary Elizabeth, Sister of Charity; Katherine Fuller (and husband Richard Fuller); Ann, Maryknoll Sister Zoe Marie and Theresa Kelleher, Thomas is survived by brothers Francis Xavier of Greensboro; Benedict Regis (and wife Jerry), of Charlotte; Thomas Gabriel (and wife Stephanie) and Stephen Badin (and wife Rosemary) of Greensboro; sister Margaret of Greensboro; sister-in-law Jean Lindsay Berry, and brother-in-law Leo J. Kelleher, Jr. Nieces and nephews of the three following generations are too numerous for listing here.

Funeral services will be held in four places:

1.Greensboro, NC, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, with Salesian Oblate Father Bill J. Ruhl presiding, Very Rev. Terence Kristofak, C.P. homilist.Wednesday, June 3, 2009.

2. Jamaica, New York, Immaculate Conception Passionist Monastery Chapel, Mass of the Resurrection, 11:00 AM., Saturday, June 6th. Very Rev. Joseph R. Jones, C.P., Provincial presiding. Rev. Stephen Dunn, C.P. homilist.

3. Greensboro, Vermont, Green Mountain Monastery, internment. Open to all, details to be
provided by Sisters Gail Worcelo and Bernadette Bostwick, co-founders with Thomas of the new religious community.

4. New York City, public memorial service at St. John the Divine Cathedral, where Thomas was honorary canon. Details to be arranged, sometime in the Fall, by the Thomas Berry Foundation and directed by officers Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, currently of Yale University.

Greensboro NC funeral events will begin with open-casket visitation II am - 1:20 p.m in the Narthex [entrance] of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (not in the funeral home) Wednesday, June 3, 2009, followed by the memorial service at 2 p.m. Since Thomas's remains will be sent to the Passionist Province of St. Paul of the Cross for the Eucharistic liturgy and afterwards to Green Mountain Monastery for final interment, the Greensboro NC memorial will conclude with a reception, 4 p.m. — 5:30 p.m., hosted by the Passionists in Well-Spring Retirement Community Auditorium, 4100 Well-Spring Drive, a short distance from St. Paul the Apostle Church. [Take Horse Pen Creek Road northwest a couple of miles; at Drawbridge Parkway turn right; watch for the Well-Spring entrance on the left a mile or so down the road.]

Donations honoring the deceased may be made to the:

Thomas Berry Foundation

C/O Mary Evelyn Tucker

29 Spoke Drive

Woodbridge, CT 06525

Next of Kin:

Dr. Margaret Berry (Sister)

4100 Well-Spring Drive #2319 Greensboro, NC 27410, USA

336-545-3362

mamare946(@bellsouth.net

Links

http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/06/01/article/thomas_berry_renowned_cultural_historian_dies