Of interest to our readers:
The Theology Graduate Student Association of Boston College, in partnership with the Church in the 21st Century Center and ICMICA/Pax Romana, will be hosting a conference entitled, “Visions of Hope: Emerging Theologians and Young Church Leaders Envision the Future of the Church,” to take place March 9-11, 2012 at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. The purpose of the conference is to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council by providing a forum for theologians and church leaders to critically discuss the reception of the council in light of present-day and future challenges. The opening reception, which is open to the public, will feature a keynote address by Massimo Faggioli (University of St. Thomas) and a response by Maria Teresa Davila (Andover Newton Theological School). Of particular interest to Catholic moral theologians will be a concurrent session on the topic of the future of Catholic ethics. Full details, including a schedule of paper presentations and a link for registration, can be found at the conference website, www.emergingtheologians.org. For further information from the conference organizers, please contact emergingtheologians@gmail.com.
I am very interested in attending the Keynote Address and the response. My concern is that Dr. Faggioli’s view of Vatican II doesn’t quite square with my reading of the Council’s documents . I can’t seem to find the discontinuity with the past to the degree that he does. Moreover I do not harbor the criticism toward the (American) hierarchy that he has displayed. I assume that Dr. Davila’s response will be even further from, let us say, JPII’s and Benedict XVI’s view of Vatican II and perhaps more critical of the hierachy. So, I’m wondering, is this conference starting from the premise that JPII’s and Benedict XVI’s views of VII are wanting, insufficient or even knuckle-headed? Because, I and many other members of the laity, share their perspectives. I’m not trying to bait anyone here — I think this is a legitimate point to raise. Are the viewpoints of the laity whose view’s accord with Wojtyla and Ratzinger simply to be dismissed? Because that is often the impression that I get as I encounter the public writings of the majority of academic theologians. In any event, I intend to attend the conference and I sincerely hope that my concerns are overstated and that I will be pleasantly edified.
Regards,
Frank Gibbons
Seekonk, MA
While I am not involved in organizing the conference, I know the organizers well. The purpose is not an alternative version of Vatican 2 in contrast to JP2 or B16 — instead it is an invitation to younger theologians to reflect on the council, their own appropriation and taking up its mission on this important anniversary.