Catholic Theological
Society of America

The Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church (CTEWC) asked CTSA Board Member Meghan Clark, who chairs the CTSA's Ad hoc Board Committee on Virtual Events, to write the piece: "How the CTSA is keeping focus on the call to racial justice amidst the pandemic."  

To read Meghan's piece, see:

 https://catholicethics.com/forum/ctsa-racial-justice/

The CTSA Board of Directors, the Ad hoc Board Committee on Virtual Events, and the Executive Director thank all of the CTSA members who have presented and those who have participated in the CTSA's Virtual Events.

Meghan Clark, Chair, Craig Ford, and Elyse Raby currently serve on the CTSA Ad hoc Board Committee on Virtual Events (2021 - 2022).

The CTSA received word that longstanding member Rev. Robert E. Lampert died on September 17, 2021.  May Robert rest in peace.

Obituaries

https://www.archstl.org/obituary-father-robert-e-lampert-6857

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/stltoday/name/robert-lampert-obituary?id=6539767

Updates on World Forum on Theology and Liberation (WFTL)

On June 1, 2021, we elected a new executive committee:

On September 9, 2021, Rufus Burnett (Fordham University), who is one of the CTSA liaisons to the WFTL, joined the Methodological Committee.

In November 2021, WFTL released a new Spanish text entitled The World Will Never Be the Same: Liberation Theologies in Times of Pandemic. These essays emerge from the gathering of the World Forum on Theology and Liberation (WFTL) in 2020/2021.

On Dec.10, 2021, members of the World Forum on Theology and Liberation (WFTL) met to plan our next hybrid gathering to be held in the city of Puebla, Mexico, April 28–29, 2022, which precedes the World Social Forum that will take place in Mexico City, 1–8 May 2022. The Call for Papers will be given in a second post.

- Jaisy Joseph

CFP: Catholicism, Challenges to Democracy, and the Legacy of Jacques Maritain

2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Jacques Maritain. Maritain was a key shaper of modern Catholic Social Teaching on politics, human rights, and democracy, and had a significant influence on Vatican II, Populorum Progressio and more.

The Journal of Moral Theology invites submissions of papers on the topic of “Catholicism, Challenges to Democracy, and the legacy of Jacques Maritain.” While we are particularly interested in papers that deal specifically with Maritain’s thought, other topics related to Catholicism and contemporary challenges to democracy are also welcome. For a full description of the CFP, click here.

The guest editors of the volume, Laurie Johnston and Grégoire Catta, welcome any questions regarding topics you are considering.

Submissions should conform to the standards and style of the Journal of Moral Theology and can be submitted here until January 1, 2023. All papers will be subject to peer review, with ample time for revision before publication. The issue is targeted for a 2023-24 release. More information on the Journal and previous issues can be found on the JMT website.

The CTSA remembers longstanding member Rev. Donald Cozzens who died on December 9, 2021.

Obituary in Cleveland.com

NCR Article of December 10th

https://www.ncronline.org/news/coronavirus/father-donald-cozzens-who-challenged-clericalism-church-dies-82

Lumen et Vita's* Spring Graduate Conference
"The Great Waters of the Kingdom of Matter" 
Saturday, March 26, 2022

Keynote speakers will be Prof. Mary Evelyn Tucker (Yale Divinity School and Yale School of Environment) and Prof. Michael Ferguson (Harvard Divinity and Medical Schools). 

Abstracts:  Due on January 20, 2022 and should be emailed to lumenetvita@gmail.com. Remote and virtual attendance and presenting are possible.

Detailed Call for Papers link: https://tinyurl.com/LeVSpring2022

*Lumen et Vita is the graduate theological journal of the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. 

The National Black Catholic Congress - Online Event 

Nov. 12 @ 4:00 p.m. - Nov. 13 @ 4:00 p.m.

Theological reflections by authors of
Desire, Darkness and Hope, Theology in a Time of Impasse
Engaging the Thought of Constance FitzGerald, OCD

Facilitated by CTSA member Dr. M. Shawn Copeland

Passages from Darkness, Desire and Hope, edited by CTSA members Laurie Cassidy and M. Shawn Copeland, will be explored during the weekend.

Register here: hope.baltimorecarmel.org

See https://nbccongress.org/event/transforming-spirituality-in-a-time-of-plague/

The CTSA remembers long-standing member Brian David Berry who died on Tuesday, October 26th.  

Brian Berry passed away from cancer on October 26 at the age of 64. He received his PhD in theological ethics from Boston College in 1995. Prior to his work as a theology professor at Ursuline College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, and St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute, where he received multiple teaching awards, Brian worked in Jamaica in a Jesuit mission and as an assistant in a L’Arche community in Calgary. He published in areas of bioethics, social ethics, and the spirituality of Jean Vanier. Brian leaves behind his wife of 26 years, CTSA member Susanne DeCrane. As she reflects, Brian was a proud Canadian and had a particular concern for those “whom society deems insignificant.” (Written by Kristin E. Heyer and Brian's wife and CTSA member Susanne DeCrane.)

Link to Brian David Berry's Obituary

November is a precious month when, as the days grow shorter and darker, we remember the larger community of which we are a part, heaven and earth gathered in the Lord’s communion of saints.

On All Saints Day, we remember all those holy women and men who have gone before us, many of whom have been inspirations to us in our own spiritual journeys. On All Souls Day, we remember all those who have died near and far, recently and long ago, sisters and brothers whose destinies are now held within the love and mystery of God. Let us pray for those we knew personally, family, friends, colleagues, but also for the very many people far and near who have died in the last year, from Covid and a host of other acts and systems of violence.

It is timely then also to mark November 2 as the Día de los Muertos, a holy day celebrated particularly among Mexican-Americans, a solemn occasion marked with special altars, offerings, and prayers, and visits to cemeteries when possible. As we become a more multicultural and international Catholic Theological Society, let all of us find ways to make the images, rituals, and sentiments of the Día de los Muertos tradition part of our lives and spiritual practice.

November 4 is Diwali, the great Hindu festival of light, marking the conquest of good over evil. In a world where dark hatred and blinding violence too often seem to triumph, we can join in pray with our Hindu sisters and brothers, that the light pierce and overcome the gloom around us.

In these times when we are becoming more sensitive to the history of the land in which we live, it is timely also to note that November is Native American Heritage month. During this month we are called to remember and reflect on the lives of the original inhabitants of the land, people whose stories need to be told and rights must be acknowledged and honored, particularly in the places where we live and work. Much more information on this heritage month can be found online, including at the Bureau of Indian Affairs site.

Let us hope and pray that by Thanksgiving we will find this month of remembrance culminating in a spirit of thanksgiving for the bountiful gifts of people and places that make our lives possible, even in the most difficult of times.