DEPARTMENT LECTURES:
November 11, 2009, 4:30 PM, Gasson 305
Andrea Vicini, SJ, MD, PhD, Professor of Moral Theology and Bioethics, Faculty of Theology of Southern Italy: S. Luigi, Naples, will be giving the Gasson Chair Lecture titled " The Future of Bioethics"
The lecture is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
November 19, 2009, 7:30 PM, Gasson 305
Margaret Jennings, Professor of Medieval Studies, St. Joseph's College, New York will be giving the annual Joseph Visiting Professorship Lecture titled "'Inclusivity' Before It Was Fashionable: The Theological Message of the Cathedral of Bourges"
The lecture is free and open to the public.
DEPARTMENT NEWS:
Congratulations to Kevin Ahearn, PhD student, on the publication of The Radical Bible and the following interview with him published by Catholic News Service.
"Ahern, former president of the International Movement of Catholic Students, said he intends his book to be "a tool for personal and group reflection for those seeking to respond to God's radical call for reflection and action in the world." His book is a revision of a 1972 release of the same title.
Ahern told Catholic News Service that he received a copy of the original while working in Rome. He said the book -- which like his was published by Orbis -- served as a source of inspiration to him while he traveled with the student movement, but he felt that it could be improved to resonate with modern-day readers.
His version is "very, very different from (the original,)" Ahern said in a phone interview. "I tried to add other quotes and other dimensions from Scripture that were more spiritual in nature."
Ahern hopes that the use of widely resonating Scripture passages will unite Catholics in spirituality-based reflection and social action.
"One of the big problems in the church today is polarization between those concerned with social justice and those concerned with spirituality," he stated. "I think Scripture provides a common ground."
In selecting which social issues to address in the book, Ahern said he wanted to focus on global affairs rather than interpersonal issues. "I wanted to address the issues that are affecting the entire human family," he said. "I also wanted to avoid getting into issues that would be too political in a sense."
In addition to addressing social issues with broad, global implications, Ahern said he focused on featuring quotes from a diverse group of great thinkers.
"We can learn from people from other faith traditions, not just non-Catholics, but also non-Christians," he stated. Ahern's book features commentary by Pope Benedict XVI, Blessed Mother Teresa, Mohandas Gandhi and Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh among many others.
Ahern told CNS he hopes the combination of profound scriptural excerpts and thought-provoking commentary will inspire readers to work for social justice and become more actively engaged in their faith. "The Bible isn't just speaking to us in Mass and prayer," he said, "but also in how we live."
Ahern has worked on social justice issues for the United Nations and several Catholic nongovernmental organizations. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in theological ethics at Jesuit-run Boston College."