Anthony de Mello His Life and His Spirituality

The publication of the Notification concerning the writings of Father Anthony de Mello, S.J., issued by Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on 24 June 1998, was a shock to Christians,

as well as to non-Christians, all over the world. People, who had known Father Anthony de Mello (1931–1987) personally or through his writings, were at a loss as to why a solemn notification was needed to warn Catholics against a person in whom they had recognised a healthy sanctity rather than a danger to the faith.

In this book, Anand Nayak gives a short biography of Tony de Mello and then outlines his spiritual teachings. Having pointed out the context of de Mello’s work, and the various particular approaches which he adapted, the author then turns to a detailed examination of the Notification and its approach to Fr de Mello’s work. He points out clearly the weaknesses and misunderstandings that underlie the document.

A final chapter looks at various responses across the world and tries once again to put Anthony de Mello in context as a teacher, a prophet and a healer.

Anand Nayak is professor of Missiology and Comparative Religions at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. Born at Mangalore, India, in 1942, he was a member of the Society of Jesus from 1958 to 1976. During this period he came to know Father Anthony de Mello well and learned under his guidance the art of meditation sadhana. He promotes de Mello’s teachings in Switzerland, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Canada. He conducts regular sadhana courses at Lassalle-Haus, the Jesuit retreat house at Edlibach (Zug) near Zürich.