Catholic Theological
Society of America

On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., 69, was chosen as the 267^th pope.  He chose the name Leo, making him Pope Leo XIV. 

Pope Leo XIV was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois to parents of French, Italian, and Louisiana Creole (African, French, Haitian, and Spanish) descent. He holds a Doctorate and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas - Angelicum (Rome); a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union (Chicago); and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University (close to Philadelphia).  He speaks Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, and English.  He also reads Latin and German. He was ordained a priest in 1982 at the age of 27 in the Order of Saint Augustine, a religious order with a charism of contemplative prayer, a practical love for all others especially the poor, and an ardent pursuit of truth.  In 1985, at the age of 30, as an Augustinian missionary, he was sent to Peru where he has lived for much of his adult life, serving there early on as a pastor, and as a seminary teacher in Trujillo in the northwestern part of Peru. From 1998 - 2001, he returned to Chicago, serving as Prior Provincial of his religious order.  Then, in 2001, he was elected Prior General of the Augustinians and lived in Rome until 2013.  Pope Francis named him Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru in 2014 where he served until 2023, the year he became a Cardinal.   In 2023 he moved back to Rome when Pope Francis named him President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a position which oversees the selection of new bishops worldwide.

Pope Leo is an American in the most expansive sense; he is a citizen of Peru as well as of the United States.  His significant Latin American background represents a continuity with Pope Francis, an Argentinian.  Pope Leo is known as a bridge-builder, as a good listener, as a pastor first, and, as such, he is perceived to be a pope who will likely favor continuity with the reforms initiated by Pope Francis.  He is said to share Pope Francis’ views on migrants, the poor, and the environment as well as his commitment to synodality, a promising means for addressing divisions in the U.S. Catholic Church.

Pope Leo’s choice of the name “Leo” is telling, signaling his commitment to social justice.  The previous Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) is often recognized as the father of Catholic social justice, largely owing to his groundbreaking 1891 encyclical, Rerum Novarum.  This encyclical, and others that followed, transformed Catholic teaching by launching what is now known as Catholic Social Teaching.  Rerum Novarum focused on issues of social inequality and social justice, claiming that workers have rights as well as obligations.  It was critical of both capitalism and communism.   

In addition, the choice of “Leo” may also signal a connection to the first Pope Leo, Leo the Great (440-461), whose theological work on the divine and human natures of Jesus Christ helped the Church deepen its understanding of the Incarnation, laying the groundwork for the Council of Chalcedon.  In addition, this Pope Leo was known as a Western leader and peacemaker, convincing Atila the Hun, who had been plundering northern Italy, not to attack Rome in 452.    

By taking the name “Leo,” perhaps our new pope is locating himself within the tradition of these predecessors. 

Long live the Pope Leo XIV!

Nancy Pineda-Madrid

President, Catholic Theological Society of America

Good music is part of what makes our CTSA liturgies so special and we need your help to make it happen!  All members are invited to join the choir for our Saturday evening liturgy in Portland. The more voices the merrier--all are welcome.

Do you play the flute, violin, or cello? Join the ensemble!

Please contact CTSA Liturgical Liaison, Layla Karst, at layla.karst@lmu.edu for more information.

Our Covenant With Earth

The Climate Generation Speaks

STUDENT RESEARCH PAPER & ESSAY CONTESTS

Awardees will receive a cash prize
and the opportunity to publicly present their work

The National Catholic-Muslim Dialogue (NCMD) of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) is thrilled to announce the Covenant with Earth research paper and essay competition that explores the topics and concerns raised in Laudato si: Care of our Common Home (https://www.laudatosi.org/the-letter/encyclical-letter/) and Al-Mizan: Covenant for the Earth (https://www.almizan.earth ). We invite high schoolers, undergraduate students, and graduate students to share your perspective on Catholic and Muslim responses to the ecological crisis and pathways of thought and action toward care for the earth. Essays could include such themes as:

• The Human Legacy of the Ecological Crisis
• Integral Ecology as an Ecological Ethics
• Eco-Justice: A Shared Vision of Muslims and Catholics
• Pathways to Living the Covenant of Earth with Integrity
• Economic and Ecology: Renewed Commitments to the Common Good.
• Ihsan: ‘Doing the Beautiful’
• ‘Care for Our Common Home’
• Living the Covenant
• Lessons Learned from Local Actions
• Best Practices for Communities and Organizations
• Environmental Justice as Intergenerational Justice
• Nurturing an Ecological Culture as Giving Witness to the Goodness of God’s Creation

Research Paper Competition (for Graduate and PhD students)

Eligibility: Students pursuing Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, Ecclesial Degrees (STL, STD), Islamic Ijaza in various fields, Public Health, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, International Studies, Economics, Social Work, or Ph.D students in these and related fields.

Submission Guidelines:

• 2,000 words, Double-Spaced, 12 pt Font
• Microsoft WORD or PDF
• Style: Turabian or Chicago Manual

Prize:

• Cash prize: $750
• Public Presentation: Winner will present their work in a public forum held in Washington, D.C. on September 10, 2025. The National Catholic Muslim Dialogue Group of the Unites Stated Catholic Conference of Bishops and Catholic University of America will host the event.

Essay Competition (for High Schoolers and Undergraduates):

The essay can be non-fiction or fiction (eco-fiction, climate fiction) drawing from the themes suggested or other perspectives raised by the documents Laudato si and Al-Mizan

Eligibility:  High School and Undergraduate College Students (Two separate awards)

Submission Guidelines:

• 450-600 words, Double Spaced, 12 pt. Font
• Microsoft WORD or PDF

Prize:

• Cash prize: $150
• Public Presentation: Winner will present their work in a public forum held in Washington, D.C. on September 10, 2025. The National Catholic Muslim Dialogue Group of the Unites Stated Catholic Conference of Bishops and Catholic University of America will host the event.

All entrees must be original work. All resources used must be properly cited in footnotes or bibliography. Citations are not included in the word count. AI-generated work is not invited to be entered into the contest, and if entered, it will be subject to disqualification

DUE July 18, 2025

Email Entrees to: acirelli@usccb.org
Anthony Cirelli, Ph.D., Associate Director
Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Contest is sponsored by The Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs (CEIA) of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB), NCMD Muslim Group, Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame, IN.  

Dear colleagues, 

A reminder that the 19th General Meeting of the International Thomas Merton Society (ITMS) is meeting June 19-22 at Regis University in Denver, under the theme, "The Calligraphy of Snow and Rock and Sky: Thomas Merton and the Spirit of Place." Early-bird registration ends May 15. ITMS meetings are marked by a wonderful spirit of fellowship, eclectic offerings (scholarship, poetry, journaling, film, prayer) reflecting Merton's capacious spiritual and theological vision. Please consider joining us!  

Chris Pramuk 

https://merton.org/2025/default.aspx

The CTSA remembers and prays for longstanding member Mary Gerhart, who died on Tuesday, April 22.

Eternal rest grant unto Mary, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

Mary Gerhart's theological contributions to the Society include the following, which are accessible via the CTSA Proceedings.

M. Gerhart & Allan Melvin Russell. “Metaphoric Process”

“Theology, Science, and Gender: Advances in Feminist Consciousness”

“The Ironic Mode of Religious Imagination in Heinrich Boll”

Mary Jane Gerhart Obituary

The CTSA remembers and prays for longstanding member David W. Tracy, who died on Tuesday, April 29.

David Tracy was awarded the prestigious John Courtney Murray Award in1980.  He served as the CTSA's President in 1976 – 1977 and twice as a member of the CTSA Board of Directors (1974 - 1976 and 1977 – 1979).

Eternal rest grant unto David, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

David Tracy's theological contributions include the following available within the CTSA Proceedings:

Response to “Meaning and Characteristics of an American Theology”

“Evil and Hope: Foundational Systematic Perspectives”

Response to Professor Connelly-II

Presidential Address: “Grace and the Search for the Human: The Sense of the Uncanny”

“A Response to Gregory Baum”

“Why Orthodoxy in a Personalist Age?”

Call for Papers and Workshop Proposals

Life and Love Transfigured: Exploring New Horizons in the Franciscan Tradition

A Conference to Mark the 800^th Anniversary of the Death of St. Francis of Assisi

Tuesday 14^th to Thursday 16^th April 2026, Durham University, UK

To mark the 800^th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, the Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) at Durham University will hold its third international Franciscan Studies conference. The Transitus of Saint Francis in 1226 completed the Poverello’s earthly life. Successive generations have interpreted and carried forward the witness and teachings of the Saint and his early followers. This conference seeks to celebrate and share the fruits of this legacy against new horizons, addressing contemporary challenges and concerns.

The aim of the conference will be to bring together people from different walks of life – academic and non-academic, religious and lay – who have a deep love for St. Francis of Assisi, the Franciscan tradition, and the abiding relevance of the Franciscan charism for the modern world. The conference will be held at locations in Durham itself as well as at Ushaw College, a former Roman Catholic Seminary a few miles outside of Durham.

The conference will consist of academic panels and plenary lectures by world leading scholars of the Franciscan tradition, as well as public talks by those working in contemporary Franciscan evangelisation, workshops on the Franciscan way of life and Franciscan ministry, ecumenical worship, and opportunities for fellowship and communal reflection.

The conference will have three main strands: (1) Franciscan theology and philosophy; (2) Franciscan history; and (3) Franciscan spirituality, aesthetics, and evangelism. The conference organisers welcome papers from researchers in fields including, but not limited to, Franciscan theology, Franciscan history, Franciscan science, Franciscan literary studies, Franciscan philosophy, Franciscan spirituality, the Poor Clare and wider female Franciscan traditions, the Franciscan Tertiary tradition, Franciscan ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, Franciscan art, poetry, and music, Franciscan education, Franciscan liturgical thought and practice, Franciscan economic and political philosophy, as well as Franciscan ministry and Franciscan contributions to peace studies, outreach, and pastoral-social work.

Confirmed speakers include:

Fr Casey Cole, OFM (Digital Evangelist and Creator of Breaking in the Habit podcast).

Prof. Richard Cross (University of Notre Dame, Indiana)

Fr Dr Michael Cusato OFM (Scholar-in-Residence, St. Bonaventure Friary, NY)

Prof. Daniel Horan (St Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana)

Dr William Hyland (University of St Andrews)

Prof. John McCafferty (University College Dublin)

Dr Darleen Pryds (Franciscan School of Theology, University of San Diego)

Prof. Lydia Schumacher (Kings College London)

We invite proposals for 20-minute papers. Panel proposals consisting of three speakers are also encouraged.

We also invite proposals for 90-minute workshops offering a space for delegates to come together to discuss issues or subjects important to Franciscans, e.g. ministry, outreach, issues relation to community life, the Franciscan voice in the church, etc.

Please submit proposals for papers or workshops (c. 200 words) via the form at https://forms.office.com/e/s06nt9CrNW by 30 October 2025 at the latest.

Contact for any queries: Dr William Crozier – william.e.crozier@durham.ac.uk

On May 8-May 9, 2025, The Schreiter Institute at Catholic Theological Union will convene Truth-Telling: Perils and Possibilities for Social Healing-- The Third Annual Symposium on a Praxis of Reconciliation.  The two day Symposium is free and bimodal (in person and on Zoom)  and please register so we can plan accordingly.

Register Here 

PRECIS: Truth-telling is essential for interpersonal and social healing from trauma and moral injury. It also is a perilous endeavor because if the disclosure of truth cannot be heard, believed, or understood by a listener then the wound will become worse and healing nearly impossible. The symposium looks at the perils and possibilities around various kinds of truth-telling in diverse contexts and through several mediums

KEYNOTE: Maka Akan Najin Black Elk (Oglala Lakota)

SYMPOSIUM PRESENTERS: 

• Chioma Ahanihu, SLW
• Kayla August
• timone davis
• David Matz, CPPS
• Karen Ross
• Jung Eun Sophia Park, SNJM
• Daniel Scheid
• Marvin Wickware

May 8-9, 2025

ONLINE + IN-PERSON
Catholic Theological Union
5416 S. Cornell Ave, Chicago IL 60615

Visit ctu.edu/events to register for this event and to learn more about our other upcoming events and programs.

You can also contact Kevin Considine: kconsidine@ctu.edu

Greetings all. I had this piece come out in America, the national Jesuit magazine. It’s my reflection as a Muslim on the passing of Pope Francis, and I thought you’d like to see it:

 https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/25/pope-francis-muslim-remembers-250472

 

Our colleague Frank Clooney, SJ, CTSA President during 2022-2023, has been elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, in the category of Religious Studies. The Academy was founded in 1780, and its list of members includes presidents, scientists and humanities scholars, artists and musicians. As it says at its website, “the American Academy of Arts and Sciences honors excellence and convenes leaders from every field of human endeavor to examine new ideas, address issues of importance to the nation and the world, and work together ‘to cultivate every art and science which may tend to advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people.’” Frank will be inducted into the Academy at a ceremony in October of this year.