Sept. 25, 2012 CUA to Host Vatican II Symposium Sept. 26-29
Catholic University's School of Theology and Religious Studies will host a four-day symposium this week marking the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. The event will open with a keynote address by Cardinal William Levada, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and a former Catholic University trustee.Cardinal Levada's talk is titled "The Council and the Catechism: Anniversaries to Mark with a 'Year of Faith.' "Rev. Mark Morozowich, dean of the theology and religious studies school, says he expects more than 400 participants from all over the United States to attend the event. The symposium, "Reform and Renewal: Vatican II after 50 Years," will be held Sept. 26 to 29 in the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center.Other keynote speakers and their topics include Monsignor Paul McPartlan, Carl J. Peter Professor of Systematic Theology and Ecumenism, Catholic University, "The Primacy of Charity: Vatican II and Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue," and Rev. John W. O'Malley, S.J., University Professor, Department of Theology, Georgetown University, "Hermeneutic of Reform: From Gregory VII to Benedict XVI."
For the symposium schedule and complete list of speakers, visit http://trs.cua.edu/news/vaticanIIsymposium.cfm .
Registration for the event is closed.Pope John Paul II described the council as "the great grace bestowed on the Church in the 20th century." Focusing on reform and renewal, the council expanded Church teaching significantly regarding ecumenism and religious freedom, and had a major impact on all aspects of the Church's liturgy and life.Conference participants will reflect both on how well the teaching of council documents has been implemented and on how the implementation fell short."The purpose of this symposium is to shed light on what the council said and did and to consider how its accomplishments can be applied in today's Church," says Father Morozowich. "Overall, it will seek to assess how the Church in the 21st century can and should respond to the demands of the Gospel and to the needs of the world today in light of the teachings of Vatican II."