George Shea papers
ADN 0004.001
The Monsignor Field Archives & Special Collection Center
15.0 Linear feet
1927-1990
Rev. Monsignor. George W. Shea was born on 27 December 1910 in Newark, New Jersey, and attended Seton Hall University. He was ordained on 29 March 1936, became a Navy chaplain during World War II, and was a Peritus (expert) of the Second Vatican Council, attending all four sessions. He died on 8 July 1990 in Orange, New Jersey. This collection covers the professional areas of Monsignor George W. Shea's life. Research topics with great significance are centered on the Second Vatican Council, one of his longest and most prominent studies.
Shea, George, 1910-1990
Conditions Governing Use
All materials available in this collection (unless otherwise noted) are the property of the Monsignor William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center and Seton Hall University, which reserves the right to limit access to or reproduction of these materials. Reproduction of materials or content is subject to United States copyright restrictions and may be subject to federal or state privacy regulations. Permission to publish exact reproductions must be obtained from the Director of the Archives and Special Collections Center.
Biographical/Historical note
Rev. Monsignor George W. Shea was born into a family of five on 27 December 1910 in Newark, New Jersey with two siblings; a brother named Francis and a sister named Irene. He died on 8 July 1990 in Orange, New Jersey at the Hospital Center at Orange after fighting several years with illnesses. Monsignor Shea was ordained on 29 March 1936 into the priesthood at University of Innsbruck in Austria. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Seton Hall University and his Doctorate degree in Sacred Theology at a university in Switzerland. Shea retired as Pastor Emeritus of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in South Orange, NJ at age 70.
He was the President of the Catholic Theological Society and a chaplain in the United States Navy from 1942-1945. Shea worked at the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington from 1946-1960 as a seminary professor and held the position as rector from 1961-1968. On the weekends when he was not teaching, Shea served as an assistant at St Paul's Parish in Ramsey, NJ, St Mary's Parish on Nutley, NJ and St. Paul of the Cross Parish in Jersey City, NJ. He also worked at The Advocate newspaper, where he wrote a column for eight years entitled "Faith in the Focus".
Shea became a Peritus (expert) of the Second Vatican Council attending all four sessions. He held this title for three years; 1963, 1964, and 1965. He also served on the press panel for the third and fourth session. Most of Shea's research years were spent focusing on the Second Vatican Council and the subtopics of focus under each session. He published several small books and wrote countless essays during his years; all stemming from some subject area surrounding Vatican II and his theological studies.
Monsignor George Shea has published articles and books on theology, written inserts for the Encyclopedia Britannica, The New Catholic Encyclopedia, and Sheed and Ward's The Handbook of Catholic Theology. He was a board member for both the Catholic Society and the Mariological Society of America; he also served as the acting president for some time while being an active member of these societies
Scope and Contents note
This collection covers the professional areas of Monsignor George W. Shea's life. Research topics with great significance are centered on the Second Vatican Council, one of his longest and most prominent studies. Some of the main subject headings include: the use of Contraceptives both internationally and domestically, separation of Church and State, Ecumenism, Mary in relation to the Vatican Council, Indulgences, Magisterium, Accounts from the different Gospels, Jesus's Burial, Shroud of Turin, and Miracles. There are a great number of cassette and recording tapes that can also be found in the collection; most of which are from the third and fourth session of the Second Vatican Councils press panels. Picture slides in the collection are from Shea's visit to Vatican City, Rome, Capri, Tivoli, Pompei, Montefiasconce, and Napoli. Different files contain newspaper and magazine articles pertaining to research topics, dissertation and class notes from his time spent at the Immaculate Conception Seminary, official Vatican II Council books and documents, publications by Shea, correspondence letters to those seeking advice, and rebuttals to articles written by other priests. All information found within the files cover the years between 1927-1990. Files also include final copies of Shea's dissertation, personal letters, reading books and Bibles. Some of the files found within the collections include material in other languages such as Latin or Spanish.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials were transferred to the Archives and Special Collections Center from the Archdiocese of Newark. Terms of accession unknown.
Preferred Citation note
George Shea papers, 1927-1990, ADN 0004.001, in the Monsignor William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center, Seton Hall University.
Processing Information note
The collection was processed by Archives and Special Collection intern Sandrine Rogers in 2009. The finding aid was created by Erica Garcia in 2009, and was edited by Bridgette Frank and Tracy M. Jackson to include collection-level notes and subject headings in 2013.
Arrangement note
Arrangment of the collection.
-
[Church and State](ref5)
-
[Monsignor Shea personal papers](ref24)
-
[Jesus the Christ](ref6)
-
[Vatican II Council and Beyond](ref7)
-
[Monsignor Shea personal texts (books and Bibles)](ref307)
-
[J.C. Murray Church and State notes](ref323)
-
[Projector](ref386)
Restrictions:
Photographic negatives and slides may only be viewed with the assistance of the archivist.
Otherwise, materials are available for research at the Msgr. William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center. Advance appointments are required for the use of archival materials.
Shea, George, 1910-1990
Vatican Council (2nd : 1962-1965).
Birth control—Religious aspects—Catholic Church.
Church and state--Catholic Church.
Councils and synods, Ecumenical.
Ecumenical movement--Congresses.
Holy See.
Jesus Christ--Person and offices.
Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint, and the church
Sound recordings.
Church and State
Series I
1927-1968
Scope and Contents note
This series includes Shea's "Faith in Focus" column from The Advocate newspaper, as well as Shea's personal Sacred Religion notes and other book publications. These notes are separated from other notes because they do not specifically pertain to any major area of research conducted by Shea.
Religious Freedom Articles
1
1
1965
Newspaper Articles
1
2
1963-1965
U.S. Church and State Opinions
1
3
1946-1962
U.S. Church and State Opinions
1
4
1946-1962
Ottavian
1
5
1953
Spain: Concordant
1
6
1951-1963
Spain and Religious Freedom
1
7
1952
Two Swords- Weigel
1
8
1954-1960
Freedom Intellectual
1
9
1964-1967
Religious Freedom
1
10
1962-1966
Theology and the Magisterium typed documents
1
11
1968
Magisterium Articles
1
12
1964-1966
Theologians and Magisterium
1
13
1927-1961
Magisterium and Vatican II
1
14
1966
Notes on Magisterium
1
15
ca. 1960s
Theologians and Magisterium
1
16
1927-1961
Theologians and Magisterium
1
16
1927-1968
Note Cards
1
17
undated
Magisterium- Pluralist Society
1
18
1954-1958
Encyclical
1
19
undated
Padovano- Free to be Faithful
1
20
ca. 1971
Miscellaneous notes
2
3
n/a
College of Theology notes for Seton Hall University
2
4
n/a
Theology Concept Method
2
5
1957-1962
Theology Concept, method notecards
2
6
n/a
Dogmatic Theology program and projects (NCEA)
2
7
1963
Keryematic Theology Hofinger
2
8
1955
De Ecclesia Christi
2
9
n/a
Jerusalem
2
10
1982
Eucharist
2
11
1967
Dissent/Teaching Authority (clippings)
2
12
n/a
Dissent/Teaching Authority
2
13
1967-1987
Emmanuel (Concepts/Articles)
2
14
1976-1987
Episcopal Conferences
2
15
1963
Women Priesthood
2
16
1965-1967
Lay Theologians
2
17
n/a
Miscellaneous Articles
2
18
n/a
Seminary Priesthood
2
19
n/a
Paulist Institution for Religious Research
2
20
n/a
Deacons
2
21
1967
Divorce
2
22
1967
Presbyterian Articles
2
23
1963
Monsignor Shea personal papers
Series II
1931-1981
Series on Hans Kueng
2
1
1962-1966
Newspaper Clippings and Corresponding letter
2
2
1962-1980
Letters from Priests of critique
2
24
1970-1971
Faith in Focus (1)
2
25
n/a
Faith in Focus (1b)
2
26
n/a
Faith in Focus (2)
2
27
n/a
Faith in Focus (3)
2
28
n/a
Faith in Focus (3b)
2
29
n/a
Faith in Focus (4)
2
30
n/a
Faith in Focus (4b)
2
31
n/a
Notes on Sacred Religion
2
32
1939
Notes on Sacred Religion (b)
2
33
1939
Monsignor Shea Consortium
2
34
1972
Trialogue on Vatican II Muhlenberg College
2
35
1966
Published book by Shea and Others
2
36
n/a
Grillmeir on Augustine
2
37
1949
Cardinal Rotzinger Articles
2
38
1989
"75 years of special Dogmatic in America" and letters
2
39
1964
Series on Hans Kuing
2
40
1962-1966
Grillmeir on Alexander on Alexandria
2
41
n/a
Jesus the Christ
Series III
1934-1990
Scope and Contents note
This series focuses on the arguments surrounding church and state in the mid and late 20th century. The files contain newspaper and magazine articles regarding U.S. opinion on separation of church and state and cases that took place as a result of the new law. Some files talk about concerns over Spain and religious freedom in the country and Theologians and Magisterium.
Burial of Jesus undated notes
3
1
1965
Shroud
3
2
1967-1970
Tomb and the Apostles
3
3
undated
Resurrection Accounts
3
4
1958
Resurrection Accounts (b)
3
5
1958
Shroud of Turin
3
6
1964-1990
Burial of Jesus:By Whom?
3
7
1978
Death of Christ
3
8
1938-1961
Crucified Man
3
9
1955-1984
Book of Lamentations
3
10
1954
Trial of Jesus: Paul Winter
3
11
1974
Herve 1 paper notes on Resurrection
3
12
1943-1958
Herve 1 paper (b) notes on Ressurection
3
13
1943-1958
Holy Shroud of Turin
3
14
1950-1979
Modern Church Laity
3
14
1980-1989
Babylonian Talmud (Mourning)
3
15
1938
Was Joseph a disciple? What Befell the Body of Christ?
3
16
1960
The Burial/ The Last Supper
3
17
1934-1984
Resurrection Dissertation Contradictions in Gospels
3
18
1949
Burial Accounts and Notes
3
19
1956
Ressurrection Disseration notes; Acts of the Apostles
3
20
1954-1969
Ressurection History
3
21
1967-1970
Burial, Cremation and common grave
3
22
n/a
Triduum Sacrum
3
23
n/a
Jesus Burial Files
3
24
n/a
Jesus Burial Files (b)
3
25
n/a
Jesus Burial Garments
3
26
n/a
Trial of Jesus
3
27
n/a
Jesus Burial
3
28
n/a
Ressurection, Burial Accounts and Research Material
3
29
Genesis (German Commentary)
3
30
June 1934
Death and Burial
3
31
1970-1972
Shroud of Turin and the Burial of Christ
4
1
1945
Ressurection Disseration, notes and reading material
4
2
1958-1960
Resurrection,Burial Accounts and research material
4
3
March 29,1970; May 29,1970
Death, Burial and Mourning
4
4
1976
Saint Peters
4
5
1950
Vatican II Council and beyond
Series IV
1934-1990
Scope and Contents note
The series focuses on Indulgences, the Ecumenical Council, Laity, Faith, Original Sin, Collegiality, Obedience, Mariology, Birth Control, Marriage, the Modern Church, Reform and the Second Vatican Council's Constitution of the Church. All files were created with regard to the Second Vatican Council and their opinion/perspective on the subject matter. Newspaper and magazine articles can also be inside of the folder files concerning the different topics.
Vatican II Bulletins 67-1 to 67-28
5
1
1967
Vatican II DO-C Bulletins 2-96
5
2
1963
Vatican II DO-C Bulletins 2-96 (b)
5
3
1963
Vatican II DO-C 97-153
5
4
n/a
Vatican II DO-C 97-153 (b)
5
5
n/a
Vatican II DO-C 154-197
5
6
1964
Vatican II DO-C 154-197 (b)
5
7
1964
Vatican II DO-C 201-226
5
8
1965
Vatican II Council
5
9
1960
Vatican II Session III
5
10
1964;Sept.14-Nov.
Vatican II Session III (b)
5
11
1964; Sept.14- Nov.7
Vatican II Session III
5
12
1964; Nov. 9-19
Vatican II notes
5
13
1965; Oct. 28- Nov. 19
Vatican II notes
5
14
1965; Dec. 7-28
Vatican II Bulletins 1-14
5
15
Sept. 1965- Oct.1965
Vatican II Bulletins 66-1 to 66-32
5
16
1966
Vatican II Bulletins 66-1 to 66-32 (b)
5
17
1966
Vatican II and Collegiality
5
18
1949-1967
Vatican II Newspaper Clippings
5
19
1962-1965
Synod of Bishops
5
20
1965
Council Attendance
5
21
1959-1962
Mariology and Vatican II Council
6
1
1955-1967
Liturgy at Vatican II
6
2
1965
Vatican Newspapers
6
3
1963
Modern World, Marriage and the family, and Contaception
6
4
1960-1966
Florida and Italy: Church in the Modern World
6
5
1953-1982
Birth Control, Shea statement press panel
6
6
1966
First Schemata
6
7
n/a
Vatican II council on Priests
6
8
1956-1967
Dialogue on Post Council Themes
6
9
Oct. 30- Nov.1, 1965
Sacred Liturgy
6
10
1962-1988
Church in the Modern World
6
11
1964-1966
Birth Control and Marriage
6
12
1959-1966
Birth Control and Marriage (b)
6
13
1959-1966
Birth Control and Marriage (c)
6
14
1959-1966
Obedience
6
15
1960-1967
Birth Control
6
16
1963-1990
Birth Control and Vatican II
6
17
1959-1990
Vatican II and Ecuminism
6
18
1959-1967
Ecumenism Articles
6
19
1952-1966
Miracles
6
20
1935-1961
Miracles (b)
6
21
1935-1961
Indulgences
6
22
1965
Vatican II Schema de Revelatione
7
1
n/a
Catechesis, Apostolic
7
2
1934
Scripture 1 Corinthians
7
3
n/a
Reading Magazines
7
4
1978-1980
"Bulletin" Magazines
7
5
1981-1990
Sub Secreto-Council Digest
7
6
Oct.1-Nov.20,1964
Sub Secreto- Council Digest (b)
7
7
Oct.1- Nov.20,1964
Herder Correspondence
7
8
1963-1965
Council Digest Documents
7
9
Sept.1964-Oct.1965
Council Digest Documents (b)
7
10
Sept.1964-Oct.1965
U.S. Bishops Press Panel
7
11
1963-1965
Vatican II Council on Reform
7
12
1960-1967
Vatican Articles
7
13
1961-1966
Vatican II Council
7
14
1961-1966
Vatican II Council on Laty
7
15
1957-1967
Concilium and Vatican II
7
16
1959-1967
Current Church
7
17
1968
List of Lay Auditors
7
18
n/a
Vatican II Declaration on the Jews
7
19
1966
Ecclesiam Suam
7
20
1964
Faith
7
21
1956-1966
Vatican II Constitution of the Church
7
22
1963-1966
Ecumunical Council
7
23
1953-1962
Vatican II on Mary
7
24
1965-1966
Indulgences (b)
7
25
1965
Notes (book)
7
26
1965
News of the Catholic Church (controversies) Newspaper Articles
7
27
1989
News of the Catholic Church (controversies) Newspaper Articles
7
28
1989
Priestly Life
7
29
n/a
Priestly Life (b)
7
30
n/a
Historical Value Gospels
7
31
n/a
Mary Redeemed
7
32
n/a
Holy Name Society; Schema de Revelatione
7
33
n/a
Dutch Catholicism
7
34
n/a
Defilements
7
35
n/a
Vatican II typed Recordings on Birth Control and Marriage
8
circa 1965
Session IV of Vatican II recordings (Msgr. Vaughn tapes)
9
circa 1965
Concilio Ecumenico Vaticano II
10
1
1965
Concilio Ecumenico Vaticano II (b)
10
2
n/a
Declaratio de Educatione Christiana
10
3
n/a
Allocution of the Holy father
10
4
n/a
Address of the Most Reverend John Carmel Heenan
10
5
n/a
John J. Wright
10
6
n/a
The churches;Chapter 4 on the Latty
10
7
n/a
Popes visit to India
10
8
n/a
Summary of the Declaration; Relation of the church to non-Christian Religions
10
9
1964
Concilio Ecumenico Vaticano II: Summary of schema on Catholic Schools
10
10
1964
Church's role against fighting World poverty
10
11
n/a
Letter from Paul VI
10
12
n/a
The Laymen in the Church
10
13
n/a
Conillar Documents
10
14
n/a
NCWC news office
10
15
Nov. 10, 1964
Commemoration of the Sovereign pontiff John XXIII
10
16
Oct. 1963
The Church in the World today
10
17
n/a
Newspaper Clippings
11
1
1949-1980
"Relationship between Scripture and Tradition"
11
2
n/a
Revised version of Training of Priests
11
3
n/a
Catholic Principles on Ecumenism
11
4
n/a
"De Ecclesia" revised; pages 33-51
11
5
n/a
Background information on the proclamation of Conciliar Documents
11
6
n/a
The Attitude of the Church toward non-Christian Religion
11
7
n/a
On the mystery of the Church
11
8
n/a
The fianl session off to a good start
11
9
9
Press Panel Background info
11
10
n/a
Vatican II, third session; The Dialogue
11
10
n/a
Di Munere Pastorali
11
11
n/a
Inreventions on Joseph Cardinal Ritter of St. Louis
11
12
n/a
Intervention of Bishop M. Hannan
11
13
n/a
Et les decisions du Saint office
11
14
n/a
Address to Nichola Seiko
11
15
n/a
In favor to the division into and contemplative of Religious Institutes
11
15
n/a
Intervention of the Most Reverend Patrick O'Boyle
11
16
n/a
Schematis de Eccelsia
11
17
n/a
National Catholic Welfare Conference; Rome Office
11
18
1963
"De Ecclesiain mundo hujus temporis"
11
19
n/a
Outline of the Themes; Treated in Appendices
11
20
n/a
On the Modern World
11
21
n/a
Intervention of the Auxiliary bishop James Malone
11
22
n/a
"The Council Ends"
11
23
n/a
Council Digest
11
24
n/a
On Church's Missionary Activity
11
25
n/a
On the Pastoral Office
11
26
n/a
On Religious
11
27
n/a
On the Lay Apostle
11
28
n/a
On Ecumenism
11
29
n/a
On Priests
11
30
n/a
On Training of Priests
11
31
n/a
On Oriental Churches
11
32
n/a
On Catholic Schools
11
33
n/a
The Sacrement of Holy Matrimony
11
34
n/a
Religious News
11
35
n/a
Private Letters
11
36
1970
Censorship of Books
11
37
n/a
Council Digest
12
1
Oct.1,1964-Nov.20, 1964
White Booklets (40)
12
2
1964
Medium Sized Vatican Publication (26)
12
3
1964
Large Sized Vatican Publication (29)
12
4
1964
3 Books, 1 Booklet and Schemata Constitution
12
5
1964
Biblical Notes
13
1
n/a
Biblical Notes (b)
13
2
n/a
Biblical Notes (c)
13
3
n/a
Biblical Notes (d)
13
4
n/a
Vatican II Notes (notepads)
13
5
n/a
Vatican II Notes
13
6
n/a
Vatican II Notes (b)
13
7
n/a
Vatican Photos
13
8
n/a
Council Notes taken from Monsignor Sheas' Computer
13
9
n/a
Council Notes taken from Monsignor Sheas' Computer (b)
13
10
n/a
Council Notes taken from Monsignor Sheas' Computer (c)
13
11
n/a
Sacrosanctum Oecumenicum Concilium Vaticanum Secondum (MODI)
13
12
n/a
Sacrosanctum Oecumenicum Concilium Vaticanum Secondum
13
13
n/a
Sacrosanctum Oecumenicum Concilium Vaticanum Secondum
13
14
n/a
Vatican II Session Notes
13
15
n/a
"Catholic Doctrine and Religion of the State"
13
16
ca. 1950
"Catholic Doctrine and the Religon of the State" (b)
13
17
ca. 1950
"Catholic Doctrine and the Religions of the State" (c)
13
18
ca. 1950
"Paul VI and Mary, Mother of the Church"
13
19
ca. 1965
"Paul VI and Mary, Mother of the Church" (b)
13
20
ca. 1965
"Paul VI and Mary, Mother of the Church" (c)
13
21
ca. 1965
"Mary in the documents of Vatican II"
13
22
n/a
"Mary in the documents of Vatican II" (b)
13
23
n/a
Other publications
13
24
n/a
Other publications (Newspapers, Magazines)
13
25
n/a
Meeting Recordings on tapes and 8-tracks
14
ca. 1965
Monsignor Shea personal texts (books and Bibles)
Series V
n/a
Personal Books
15
n/a
Personal Bibles
16
n/a
Herder Book Supplement
17
1
n/a
Herder Correspondence
17
2
n/a
"Christ Arose in the Same Body"
17
3
n/a
"Christ Arose in the Same Body" (b)
17
4
n/a
"Christ Arose in the Same Body" (c)
17
5
n/a
"Christ Arose in the Same Body" (d)
17
6
n/a
"Christ Arose in the Same Body" (e)
17
7
n/a
"Christ Arose in the Same Body" (f)
17
8
n/a
Resurrection Dissertation
17
9
n/a
Resurrection Dissertation (b)
17
10
n/a
Peronal Books continued
17
n/a
Personal Books and Pocket Bibles
18
n/a
J.C. Murray Church and State notes
Series VI
Newspaper Clippings
19
1
ca. 1960
Newspaper Clippings (b)
19
2
ca. 1960
Newspaper Clippings (c)
19
3
ca. 1960
Newspaper Clippings (d)
19
4
ca. 1960
Newspaper Clippings (e)
19
5
ca. 1960
Newspaper Clippings (f)
19
6
ca. 1960
Magazine Articles
19
7
ca. 1958
Religious Liberty Declaration of October 1965
19
8
Oct. 1965
Other Catholic Orientations on Church and State
19
9
n/a
Religion of the State notes and Magazine Articles
19
10
n/a
Religion of the State and Newspaper Articles
19
11
n/a
Articles dealing with do-c
19
12
n/a
"Ideal thesis impossible for Realization"
19
13
n/a
Decretum de Libertate Religiosa
19
14
n/a
Religious Liberty Schema
19
15
n/a
The Council and the issue of the free excercise of Religion; the urgency of the issue
19
16
n/a
Commentary on the Memorandum
19
17
n/a
Religion Library Declaration
19
18
n/a
Newspaper Articles
19
19
ca.1956
"The problem of Religious Freedom"
19
20
n/a
Articles/Letters
19
21
ca. 1966
Revue des sciences et theologiques "a propos de l'etat du Christ dahs la mort"
19
22
n/a
Church and State; Murrayites
19
23
n/a
Church and State Seminar
19
24
1949-1950
Government Repression of Heresy
19
25
n/a
"Possible Objections to his view"
19
26
n/a
Religion of State
19
27
n/a
"Current Theology on Religious Freedom"
19
28
n/a
Murray's tentative paper (Church&State)
19
29
n/a
"Yves de Montcheuil L'Egliset le Monde Actuel, Paris"
19
30
n/a
Tentative paper
19
31
n/a
The Religion of State in Catholic teaching
19
32
n/a
Church and State notes hand written
19
33
n/a
Murray's principles (typed)
19
34
n/a
"A reply to Dean Pearson" (John C. Bennett)
19
35
n/a
"We hold these truths"
19
36
n/a
Religious Freedom
19
37
n/a
Murray on U.S. democracy
19
38
n/a
Murray's Principles
19
38
n/a
Articles/Magazines
19
39
ca. 1963
Religious Liberty Drafts and Notes
19
39
n/a
Federal Aid to Schools
19
40
n/a
Contemporary Church and State theory
20
1
n/a
Service Programs
20
2
n/a
do-c #101
20
3
1954
do-c #100
20
4
1963
do-c #11
20
5
n/a
do-c #10
20
6
n/a
do-c doss:66-28
20
7
n/a
do-c doss:66-24
20
8
do-c #103
20
9
n/a
do-c #185
20
10
n/a
do-c #145
20
11
n/a
do-c #146
20
12
n/a
do-c #147
20
13
n/a
do-c #149
20
14
n/a
do-c #148
20
15
n/a
do-c #123
20
16
n/a
do-c #108
20
17
n/a
Projector
Series VII
1960
Slides and File Cards
21
ca. 1960
Slides and Parts
22
ca. 1960
Projector
23
ca. 1960