Jan. 26, 2010
| Distinguished Theologian to Speak on Christianity Feb. 3 |
Cardinal Schönborn will speak on "Christianity - Alien Presence or Foundation of the West?" at 3:30 p.m. in Great Room A of the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center. The event is sponsored by Catholic University's schools of theology and religious studies, canon law and philosophy, which offer ecclesiastical degrees authorized by the Vatican.The cardinal is expected to speak for about an hour; a Q-and-A will follow. Afterward there will be a reception.
President of the Austrian Bishops' Conference, Cardinal Schönborn is well known for his work as editorial secretary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church from 1987 to 1992, his contributions to the Pontifical Theological Commission, and his numerous scholarly publications.
"Cardinal Schönborn is a devoted pastor and leading intellectual in the Catholic Church, whose life includes a distinguished career as a professor and scholar," noted Rev. Kurt Pritzl, O.P., dean of philosophy.
"He has contributed to public discussion of the leading issues of the day in theology, church life, science, and ethics," Father Pritzl added. "As Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna he has an influence in Church life in Europe and in the Church's relationships in the east and west."
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; further 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. He has served as a member of the International Theological Commission since 1980, as a member of the European Academy of Sciences since 1997 and as president of the Austrian Bishops' Conference since 1998. The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, call 202-319-5259.
MEDIA: To cover the event, reporters must contact Katie Lee or Mary McCarthy in CUA's Office of Public Affairs at 202-319-5600.