Cardinal McElroy Lectures about Church Inclusiveness
Distinguished guest discusses ‘Widening Our Tent: The Synodal Imperative for Radical Inclusion’
Cardinal Robert W. McElroy recently presented Sacred Heart University’s second Bergoglio lecture of the semester, “Widening Our Tent: The Synodal Imperative for Radical Inclusion.” It focused on the need to welcome people who feel excluded from the Catholic church.
Michelle Loris, associate dean of SHU’s College of Arts & Sciences and Catholic studies department chair, provided background on the University’s Bergoglio Lecture Series, which bears Pope Frances’ original surname. “This series speaks to the heart of SHU’s mission by bringing to campus renowned lecturers who speak about the Catholic intellectual and social traditions, as represented by Pope Francis’ vision and his work in the world,” she said.
McElroy, who also is bishop of the Diocese of San Diego, CA, began his presentation by discussing the need for wider acceptance of all people from all backgrounds, with emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community. “There should be no group that doesn’t have the right to participate in the various rites of the Church,” he said. He emphasized that the Church must continue to create an environment of love and light. “We are never done growing. The call to further develop never comes; it is up to us to change for the better,” he said.
No matter how many times one fails, there is always room for forgiveness in God’s heart, McElroy reminded his audience. “We are all works in progress. God stands beside us the whole way,” he said.
Speaking earlier in the day as part of the University’s Human Journey Colloquia Series, the cardinal told the gathering of mostly undergraduate students that Jesus accepts all people from all backgrounds, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. “We’re all sinners,” he said.
He then spoke candidly with students, answered questions and asked them to think about what gives them “joy, sorrow and hope within the Church.” One participant expressed hope for less scrutiny of women and their appearance. Another wants to see more room for people of color within the Catholic Church. McElroy said he hopes to “reengage youth who have drifted from the Church” by taking into consideration the comments from those who spoke to him.
Two other Bergoglio lectures were scheduled this semester in recognition of SHU’s 60th anniversary. Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, spoke Feb. 8, and Cardinal Joseph Tobin, archbishop of Newark, NJ, will deliver his lecture in April. The Center for Catholic Studies is sponsoring these talks.
March will mark 60 years since SHU was incorporated. A series of events has been planned to celebrate the anniversary and the tremendous growth in the University’s facilities, athletic programs, degrees and majors.