Center for Catholic Studies Announces Spring Speaker Series
Talks will cover social stigma and oppression
Sacred Heart University has announced six prominent lecturers for the Center for Catholic Studies Spring Speaker Series, part of the Human Journey Colloquia Series.
Michelle Loris, chair of Catholic studies and associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, has organized the series.
“As we celebrate our 60th anniversary as a Catholic university founded in the spirit of Vatican II, the 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. “In keeping with our University’s Catholic identity and core values to respect the dignity of every human being and to promote the common good, this coming spring semester, the center is featuring speakers whose talks demonstrate Sacred Heart’s mission for inclusivity and social and environmental justice.”
Loris added, “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.”
Scheduled speakers include Elena Procario-Foley, the Brother John G. Driscoll professor of Jewish-Catholic studies, director of core curriculum and professor of religious studies at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY; Maureen O’Connell, associate professor of Christian ethics and chair of the religion department at LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA; Craig A. Ford, Jr., assistant professor of theology and religious studies and co-director of the peace and justice interdisciplinary minor at Saint Norbert College in De Pere, WI; Maria Teresa Davila, chair of religious and theologies studies and associate professor of practice at Merrimack College in North Andover, MA; Hosffman Ospino, associate professor of theology and education and chair of the department of religious education and pastoral ministry at Boston College in Boston, MA; and Erin Lothes Biviano, associate professor and director of graduate theology at Saint Elizabeth University in Morris Township, NJ.
The Catholic intellectual tradition is an ongoing conversation between great Catholic thinkers and the cultures in which they live, exploring important issues. Loris said the upcoming speakers will bring this to SHU during the spring series.
Visit the speaker series webpage to learn more.
Photo: Top, from left, are Elena Procario-Foley, Maureen O'Connell and Craig A. Ford, Jr. Bottom, from left, are Maria Teresa Davila, Hosffman Ospino and Erin Lothes Biviano.