| DETAILS: | Catholic University's three ecclesiastical schools of theology and religious studies, canon law and philosophy are hosting a lecture by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, archbishop of Vienna, titled "Christianity - Alien Presence or Foundation of the West?" A theologian who serves as president of the Austrian Bishops' Conference, Cardinal Schönborn is well known for his work as editorial secretary of the Cathechism of the Catholic Church, his contributions to the Pontifical Theological Commission, and his numerous scholarly publications. Cardinal Schönborn was born Jan. 22, 1945, in the town of Skalsko in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), into a Central European noble family. In 1963, at the age of 18, Cardinal Schönborn joined the Dominicans, the Order of Preachers, at their house of studies in Walberberg, Bonn, Germany. He completed studies in philosophy and theology there; studies in theology at the Dominican House of Studies in Le Saulchoir, France; philosophy and psychology in Vienna; and Slavic and Byzantine Christianity at the Ecole Practique des Hautes Etudes, Sorbonne. Ordained a priest in 1970, he earned a licentiate in theology in 1971 and a doctorate in 1974 and served as a professor of Catholic dogmatic theology from 1975 to 1991 in Fribourg, Switzerland. Appointed archbishop of Vienna in 1995, Cardinal Schönborn was elevated to cardinal in 1998. The lecture is free and open to the public. The cardinal is expected to speak for about an hour; a Q-and-A will follow. Afterward there will be a reception. For more information, call 202-319-5259. |
