The Cardinal Newman Society today praised the Doctrine Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for clarifications released regarding a problematic book by Father Peter C. Phan of Georgetown University.

The bishops’ statement, issued by the seven-member committee headed by Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport, Conn., addressed “certain pervading ambiguities and equivocations that could easily confuse or mislead the faithful” regarding the role of Jesus Christ and salvation.

“We are thankful to the bishops for addressing a number of misleading claims made by Father Phan,” said Cardinal Newman Society president Patrick Reilly. “This only highlights the need for Georgetown University and other Catholic universities to take immediate steps to ensure fidelity to Catholic teachings in their theology and philosophy departments.”

He added, “We understand Father Phan is popular on the college lecture circuit. We urge Catholic colleges and universities to think twice before inviting a speaker whose controversial views have been officially rejected by the U.S. bishops.”

At issue is the book Being Religious Interreligiously: Asian Perspectives on Interfaith Dialogue, which had raised concerns from the U.S. Catholic bishops as well as the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The USCCB statement was released because “ambiguities in the book concern matters that are central to the faith,” even after Father Phan was asked to clarify points of concern.

The book diminishes the special role of Jesus in salvation and indicates that salvation can be achieved without Him in non-Christian churches. The work is at variance with Dominus Iesus, issued by the Vatican in 2000.

Father Phan, a native of Vietnam, is a priest in the Diocese of Dallas. He holds an endowed professorship in Catholic social thought at Georgetown University.