David Tracy, a renowned Roman Catholic theologian and longtime professor at the University of Chicago Divinity School, passed away on April 29 at the age of 86. His work is recognized for reshaping contemporary theology by promoting dialogue across various traditions, disciplines, and publics.
Tracy began his tenure at UChicago in 1969 after teaching at the Catholic University of America. He held esteemed positions as Andrew Thomas Greeley and Grace McNichols Greeley Distinguished Service Professor of Roman Catholic Studies and Professor in the Committee on Social Thought.
His significant works include "Blessed Rage for Order," "The Analogical Imagination," and "Plurality and Ambiguity." These writings presented theology as a public discourse relevant to both academia and the broader world. Tracy's work bridged systematic theology, hermeneutics, and postmodern philosophy while addressing fundamental questions about human meaning and divinity.
Rev. Richard P. McBrien once remarked on Tracy's creativity: “Tracy reaches beyond theology into the cognate sciences and returns to theology with new questions as well as new answers. He is very creative because, more than any other theologian, he really does understand modern philosophy, literature and language, and he can see connections nobody has seen before.”
Ryan Coyne, an associate professor at UChicago Divinity School and former student of Tracy's, stated: “For generations of students and colleagues, David was at the very core of their intellectual endeavors,” highlighting Tracy's wide-ranging influence on campus.
Throughout his career, Tracy was known for his openness to different voices, faiths, and experiences. He played a significant role in the post–Vatican II renewal of Catholic theology in the United States by engaging deeply with Protestant, Jewish, and secular thought. Franklin “Chris” Gamwell noted during Tracy’s retirement ceremony that many publications were inspired by him: “I cannot count the times when... I then heard him say: ‘You should write a book on [that topic].’”
In recognition of his contributions to theology and religious studies, Tracy received numerous honors including election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1982. Although he retired from active teaching in 2007, he remained involved with the community for many years afterward.
Coyne further emphasized Tracy’s legacy: “David was undoubtedly one of the most important theologians of his generation... He pivoted with ease from poetry...to modern fiction...always displaying a boundless generosity of spirit.”
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