Theologian was a scholar and preacher

He received a doctorate in theology from Catholic University in 1957 and was on the university's faculty from 1974 to 1978.

Burghardt was an authority on early church writings and translated many from ancient languages.

He was also known for his cultured manner, for his wide learning -- he urged priests to cultivate an interest in literature, history and art -- and for his graceful writing style.

From 1946 to 1990, he was managing editor and then editor of the influential Jesuit journal Theological Studies. In 1992, he co-founded the ecumenical quarterly The Living Pulpit.

In 1968, Burghardt was named to the first International Theological Commission by Pope Paul VI, even though he publicly disagreed with the pope's encyclical forbidding birth control among Catholics.

In a 1994 address at Georgetown, Burghardt said that decision had "cost me dearly" and led to the severing of some long friendships.

As he grew older, Burghardt became more outspoken about what he considered the moral failures of modern society, from poverty and hunger to capital punishment, environmental degradation, treatment of the elderly and the war in Iraq.

Quoting Psalms 24:1, he wrote: "A well-rounded spirituality includes a realization sung by the Psalmist, 'The earth is the Lord's and all it holds'; we are only temporary tenants."

He has no immediate survivors.