Catholic Studies Center’s Spring Speakers to include James Martin and Elizabeth Johnson
Virtual “Human Journey” colloquia will delve into social and environmental issues
Sacred Heart University’s Center for Catholic Studies has lined up speakers in conjunction with the Human Journey Colloquia Series, which will take place online in the spring semester.
Michelle Loris, chair of Catholic studies and associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, has organized the series with Charles Gillespie, lecturer of Catholic studies, and Chelsea King, lecturer of Catholic studies.
“The newly formed Center for Catholic Studies aims to situate Sacred Heart University as a premier Catholic institution committed to the study and discussion of innovative Catholic intellectual, spiritual, social, cultural and artistic thought inspired by Vatican II,” said Loris. “The center promotes cutting-edge programming that demonstrates Sacred Heart’s mission, rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition as a living, global reality relevant to our lives and the world in which we live.”
The series will comprise virtual lectures featuring nationally and internationally renowned speakers who will focus on the issues of social and environmental justice. “This will be an engaging and exciting lecture series, involving some of the leading voices in Catholicism today,” said King. “It has been a privilege to work with my colleagues on putting together such a fantastic line-up for Sacred Heart students, faculty and alumni.”
Scheduled speakers include James Martin, S.J., editor-at-large for America Magazine; Sister Elizabeth A. Johnson, distinguished professor emerita at Fordham University, whose talk will also be the annual Jorge Bergoglio Lecture; Catherine Mooney, associate professor of church history at Boston College; Nichole Flores, assistant professor of religious studies at University of Virginia; Andrew Prevot, associate professor at Boston College; and Nancy Dallavalle, associate professor at Fairfield University.
“Now, more than ever, given the world in which we live, where bigotry, prejudice and violence prevail and where our environment is in danger, it is so important for great Catholic thinkers to have their voices heard and their ideas discussed. This is the meaning of the Catholic intellectual tradition; it is an ongoing conversation between great Catholic thinkers and the cultures in which they live about important issues,” Loris said.
Top, from left, are Fr. James Martin, Sr. Elizabeth Johnson and Catherine Mooney. Bottom, from left, are Nichole Flores, Andrew Prevot and Nancy Dallavalle.