Fr. David McLoughlin on Hans Urs von Balthazar (5 September ). It is rare that such reflection on the thought of an eminent theologian is found outside Catholic theological journals, and so neatly summarised.
Von Balthazar also made a major contribution to the Christian perception of Zionism and the State of Israel, not matching the influence of Martin Buber, of course, but providing real substance for Christian thinkers to ponder.
I am sure I am not alone in regretting von Balthazar's later fixation with the "vision and spiritual insights" of Adrienne von Speyr. He was besotted with the woman. The more sceptical in the German theological community considered his obsession with her an obstacle to the full flowering of his own theological thought, and the relationship was certainly the butL of some cynicism. That he was "not invited as a consultor to the Second Vatican Council"is laid at the door of this dubious relationship. Moya St. Leger
West Kensington, London