Catholic Theological
Society of America

Pope Francis and Inter-Religious Dialogue:
Reflections on Fratelli Tutti

At the close of last night's engaging panel and group discussion, Christian Krokus promised to make available to everyone the panelists' questions and also the group breakout questions/comments to everyone. We invite all of last night's attendees and the membership to continue the conversation in this post's comment section.  (Login with member # and email address to comment.)

The Board of Director's extends a huge thank you to Christian Krokus for moderating the event and to panelists Stephanie Wong, James Frederick and Rita George Tvrtković for their insightful contributions and engagement.  In addition, thank you to the CTSA the Ad hoc Board Committee on Virtual Events Meghan Clark (chair), Craig Ford, and Elyse Raby for developing this amazing event.  

Questions / Comments from last night's fruitful virtual event:

Stephanie Wong's Question to Attendees:

•  What are the wounds, or problems, that generate the conflicts described in Fratelli Tutti, and how is fraternity a salve for those wounds?

James Frederick's Question to Attendees:

• How are we professional theologians to receive the challenge of Francis' shift away from the dialogues of theological exchange and religious experience and toward a dialogue of social concern? 
  

Rita George Tvrtković's Question to Attendees:

• Fraternity vs friendship: what are the benefits and/or problems of using these two concepts to shape Catholic approaches to IR relationships?

Group Breakout Questions / Comments:

• We have been talking about kinship, friendship, fraternity which suggests closeness is good. But at the same time we also think that it is good to preserve otherness. So how to combine these two ideas?
  
  
• What help do you think Francis needs to get us to take Fratelli Tutti forward & move past its limitations on engaging non-monotheistic religions?
  
  
• How might one define the common good in the light of impossible conflicts such as that between the different Orthodox churches regarding the war in Ukraine?
  
  
• With the growing need for robust Catholic inter-religiosity, what ways do the speakers see the incorporation of these skills for interreligious dialogue in our Catholic education system?
  
  
• Has Francis moved away from the fulfillment framework and is moving towards pluralism or is he presenting a new Christian theology of religion beyond exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism?
  
  
• How can we reconcile the lust for power with our shared humanity, our shared goals with the pressing need to build bridges across faith traditions?
  
  
• How is the relation between Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and interreligious dialogue (IRD) to be understood? Is it more formal, that is, does IRD provide a model for how to do CST in a pluralist society? Or is it substantive, that IRD has to be an integral part of CST, how we approach human dignity, the common good, etc.?
  
  
• An important note about difference and inter-religious relationships from Nostra Aetate: “The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all…”
  
  
• Would you go so far as to say the teaching of Fratelli Tuttti is “development of doctrine,” or more a shift in emphasis from the approach of his predecessors?
  
  
• Does this praxis of Pope Francis call for a new articulation of a theology of religions, rather than an abandonment of theology of religions as such?

If you know of any graduating majors/minors who want to continue their theological studies, John Carroll University's MA program offers GA positions with a full-tuition scholarship and stipend. Concentrations in religious education, ecclesial ministry, and interreligious engagement. Accepting applications for Fall '22 until May 15. Contact ehahnenberg@jcu.edu.

Fordham Taking Responsibility Conference (April 21, 2022)

This is the recording of the public plenary for a conference gathering the Taking Responsibility researchers at Fordham University. It was filmed on April 21, 2022. Speakers (in order) are Karen Terry, Gerard McGlone, SJ, Paul Elie, Donna Freitas, and Make Black Elk; the panel was moderated by Christine Firer Hinze.

Recording available at:  https://youtu.be/jj6qhO1mwGo

The next Theology and Liberation World Forum will take place from May 1 to 4, within the World Social Forum, then from June 6 to 9. You are cordially invited to participate online. You can find information on the forum and register (for it free of charge) at the following address: https://www.wftlofficial.org/

We invite you to join us! From a perspective of justice, eco-justice, peace and liberation, theologians from the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia, and participants from the grassroot movements, will meet and exchange, in Spanish, English, Portuguese and French. Translation available online for most of activities. Join us and be part of the conversation!

The AAR has a 4-pt Webinar on Inclusive Pedagogy that may be of interest to CTSA Members. If you are also an AAR member, you will get a certificate at the end of completing the 4 webinars (which are recorded and can be completed at one's convenience!). I do not know if non-AAR-members can get the certificate but they do seem to be able to register and view the webinar.

https://www.aarweb.org/AARMBR/Resources-/Certificate-in-Inclusive-Pedagogy.aspx

The CTSA remembers long standing member Rev. Msgr. John F. Porter who died this morning, April 8, 2022.   John and his sister, Sr. Ann Porter, O.P., faithfully attended the CTSA annual convention.  Please keep them in your prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto John, 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.

The Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University, UK and the University of Notre Dame’s London Global Gateway are delighted to announce a Call for Papers for the third Catholicism, Literature and the Arts conference:

Catholicism, Literature, and the Arts III

The Poetics of Liturgy and Place

An International Interdisciplinary Conference: 12-14 July 2022 in person in London, UK

The theme of The Poetics of Liturgy and Place will be engaged by speakers, artists, and poets, and by musical performance, inviting reflection on the Catholic tradition’s contribution to ‘place-making’ through the arts.

Keynote Speakers:

Rowan Williams (former Archbishop of Canterbury)

Timothy Schmalz (Canadian sculptor)

Robin Jensen (University of Notre Dame)

Romana Huk (University of Notre Dame)

Paul Hills (Courtauld Institute of Art)

Valentin Gerlier (University of Chester)

Special Events will include:

·         live sculpting by Timothy Schmalz

·         poetry reading by Hilary Davies

·         performance of Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time

·         visit to the National Gallery

Call for Papers

We invite proposals for 20 minutes papers from across the disciplines engaging visual art, literature, and music in relation to the theme of Poetics of Liturgy and Place.  We also consider papers relating to Catholicism, Literature, and the Arts more broadly.

Please submit 80- to 150- word proposals at https://tinyurl.com/CLA3cfp by 16 May 2022.

Registration

Standard package: £150. Reduced rate for students/those on low income: £120. Prices include conference fee, refreshments, and two lunches.  For more information, including a draft programme, and to register please visit https://tinyurl.com/CLA3conference or call (0) 191 334 1656.  Deadline for registration: 26 June 2022. 

Please direct any queries to theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk 

IBCS SUMMER SESSION 2022

JUNE 26 - JULY 15, 2022

MASTERS of THEOLOGY PROGRAM

The IBCS Master of Theology Program (Th.M.) is the only graduate theology program in the USA taught from a Black Catholic perspective. Its curriculum is interdisciplinary; courses focus on Black approaches, critiques, and contributions to systematic and pastoral theologies, youth and pastoral ministry, aesthetics, philosophy, and education. Established in 1980 in historic New Orleans on the campus of Xavier University of Louisiana, the IBCS is dedicated to academic learning, prayer, worship and community-building. The Th.M. program forms students for theologically and culturally competent service as ordained, religious or lay ecclesial ministers in the Black community and church. The IBCS welcomes graduates seeking on-going study, graduate students of other programs and ministers who desire to enrich their general theological studies by exploring the Catholic theological tradition and its particular meaning for the social and spiritual experiences of Black people in the U.S. and beyond.   

Call 504/520-7691or check the IBCS website: https://www.xula.edu/ibcs/ for more information and or the application.

CTSA Member Kristin Colberg will present A Conversion of the Whole Church: Reflections on the Synod on March 24, 7 p.m. (ET) in hybrid format at John Carroll University.  

See jcu.edu/academics/catholic to obtain the zoom into the event.

The Msgr. John Mary Fraser Centre for Practical Theology at Regis College at the University of Toronto, invites you all to our free and virtual March lecture by Prof. Darren Dias, O.P. (University of St. Michael's College, Faculty of Theology). His lecture is entitled, "Lacombe's Ladder: Catechism and Colonialism in the First Nations Context." The date and time of the event is: Tuesday March 22, 2022; 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Saving Time; Toronto time). You can find more details and the registration page here: https://frasercentre.ca/event/tbd-darren-dias/

We hope to see you all at the event! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email: fraser.centre@utoronto.ca