Center for Spirituality hosts endowed lecture series on violence, spirituality, and solidarity

February 6, 2017 (Notre Dame, Ind.) — Saint Mary’s College Center for Spirituality is proud to announce the speakers for the annual Endowed Spring Lecture Series titled, “Called to Intervene: Violence, Spirituality, and Solidarity.” The lectures, given by distinguished scholars from across the country, are free and open to the public.

I BELIEVE YOU: SILENCE, SEXUAL JUSTICE, AND CHRISTIAN FAITH
Elisabeth T. Vasko, PhD, associate professor of theology, Duquesne University
Thursday February 23, 7 p.m.
Student Center, Vander Vennet Theatre
Professor Vasko’s primary research and teaching focus on the intersection of Christian theologies and violence. Her most recent book is Beyond Apathy: A Theology for Bystanders. She has written and spoken extensively on white privilege and racial justice, violence against women, and feminist theology.

TO REDEEM THE SOUL OF AMERICA: TOWARD A MORAL VISION FOR A NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Rev. Bryan N. Massingale, STD, professor of theological and social ethics, Fordham University
Wednesday March 22, 7 p.m. 
Madeleva Hall, Carroll Auditorium
Father Massingale is a well-respected scholar on the topics of racial justice and Christian social ethics. His book, Racial Justice and the Catholic Church, won a First Place Book Award from the Catholic Press Association. Massingale is a frequent contributor to major Catholic media outlets, including US Catholic, America and National Catholic Reporter.

WHO ARE MY PEOPLE?: CHRISTIANITY, VIOLENCE, AND IDENTITY POLITICS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Emmanuel Katongole, PhD, associate professor of theology and peace studies
The Kroc Institute, University of Notre Dame
Thursday March 30, 7 p.m. 
Student Center, Vander Vennet Theatre
Professor Katongole’s work focuses on the politics and violence in Africa, the theology of reconciliation, and Catholicism in the global South. Prior to his appointment at the University of Notre Dame, he taught at Duke Divinity School, where he co-founded the Center for Reconciliation. He is the author of several books, including The Sacrifice of Africa: A Political Theology for Africa.

“Our spring series focuses on the social dimensions of spirituality, the particular call to be in solidarity with those who suffer. Pope Francis has certainly invited us to promote a culture of encounter, one which welcomes into our hearts those who are vulnerable, ” said Arlene Montevecchio, director of the Center for Spirituality. “We hope these lectures will prompt and nurture conversations on how to best do this in a world with many problems.”  

More information on the Center for Spirituality and lecture series can be found here.

About Saint Mary's College: Celebrating over 175 years of empowering women to make a difference in the world, Saint Mary’s College is recognized as a pioneer and continued force in the education of women. A Catholic, liberal arts institution in Notre Dame, Indiana, the College offers more than 50 undergraduate academic programs and also offers co-educational master’s degrees.