Oct. 2, 2014

Catholic University Experts on the Synod of Bishops

Experts at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., are available to discuss the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme "Pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelization." The Synod will meet at the Vatican from Oct. 5 to 19.

For assistance in reaching sources, contact Katie Lee or Mary McCarthy Hines at 202-319-5600 or cua-public-affairs@cua.edu .

  • ECCLESIOLOGY - Monsignor Paul McPartlan , acting dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies and the Carl J. Peter Professor of Systematic Theology and Ecumenism, can address ecclesiology, ecumenism, especially Catholic-Orthodox relations, the Eucharist, and Vatican II. He is the author of Sacrament of Salvation: An Introduction to Eucharistic Ecclesiology (1995), and A Service of Love: Papal Primacy, the Eucharist, and Church Unity (2013). Monsignor McPartlan was for 10 years a member of the International Theological Commission and is currently a member of the joint international commission for theological dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. He has also participated in international Catholic-Methodist and Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue.

    To arrange an interview with Monsignor McPartlan, contact the public affairs office .

  • FAMILY AND HEALTH IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES - Maria Sophia Aguirre , professor of economics, can comment on the importance of families in sustainable development and overcoming poverty. Aguirre has testified on issues related to population, health, and family to the U.S. Congress, United Nations, and parliaments in Central America, Africa, and Canada. She recently presented the paper "Family and Sustainable Development" at the International Conference on Family and Sustainable Development at the International University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain, and was the keynote speaker at that conference. Contact Aguirre at 202-319-4957 or Aguirre@cua.edu .
  • MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY - John Grabowski , associate professor of moral theology, can discuss the Church's teachings on marriage, the family, and sexuality. Grabowski and his wife, Claire, who are members of the Pontifical Council for the Family, were interviewed last month by EWTN News Nightly on the World Meeting of Families scheduled for September 2015. He also was interviewed by Catholic News Agency about Pope Francis’s recent celebration of the marriages of 20 couples from the Diocese of Rome. In addition, Grabowski serves as theological adviser to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family, and Youth. Contact Grabowski at 202-319-6509 or grabowski@cua.edu .
  • MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY - William Mattison , associate professor of moral theology and associate dean for undergraduate studies, can address questions of marriage/family/sexuality, bioethics, virtues, Catholic education, and Catholic moral theology. He is the author of the book Introducing Moral Theology: True Happiness and the Virtues (2008) . Contact Mattison at 202-319-5701 or mattison@cua.edu .
  • MATRIMONY AND ANNULMENTS - Rev. Anthony McLaughlin , assistant professor of canon law, can address questions about marriage, matrimonial law, and annulment procedure. Father McLaughlin previously worked in a marriage tribunal for many years. Contact Father McLaughlin at 202-319-5596 or mclaughlina@cua.edu .
  • THEOLOGY AND PAPACY - Christopher Ruddy , associate professor of historical and systematic theology, is an expert on the papacy and bishops' conferences, ecclesiology, the Catholic Church's role in public life, and ecumenism. He has served as adviser-consultant to several departments of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Ruddy gave many interviews related to the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of Pope Francis. Contact Ruddy at 202-319-6506 or ruddyc@cua.edu .

To search for other CUA faculty who serve as experts for the media, visit the online Faculty Experts Guide or contact the Office of Public Affairs for more assistance at 202-319-5600.

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