Current News and Events

January

Dr. William Dinges gives two presentations

Dr. William Dinges presented a lecture on “Religion and Public Education” at the Institute of International Education, Washington, D.C., on January 23, to a visiting delegation from Saudi Arabia. The lecture was given under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Project. Dr. Dinges also did a presentation on “Trends (and More Trends) in Religion in America” on January 26, at the Theology on Tap gathering at Catholic University.

Dr. Valkenberg co-edits book and publishes article about Al-Ghazali

In December 2011 Dr. Pim Valkenberg co-edited and published a book about Islam in the Netherlands. The title of this book is: Islam in Nederland. Theologische bijdragen in tijden van secularisering (Islam in the Netherlands: Theological Contributions in Times of Secularization), edited by Mohamed Ajouaou, Erik Borgman, and Pim Valkenberg, Amsterdam: Boom, 2011. He also contributed an article about the famous Muslim theologian Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali under the title, “ Islam: Verantwoordelijk voor God”  (Islam: accountable to God) on pages 65-97 of this book.

Dr. Chad C. Pecknold moderates panel on "The Catholicity of the Council"

Dr. Pecknold was moderator for a panel discussion on "The Catholicity of the Council" at a conference on "Keeping the World Awake to God:  The Challenge of Vatican II," co-sponsored by the John Paull II Institute and the journal Communio, January 12-14, 2012.  Click here to read the full story.

Rev. Nicholas Lombardo, O.P., appointed member of pontifical academy

Fr. Lombardo has been appointed a Corresponding Academician of the Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas Aquinas. The Academy was established by Pope Leo XIII in 1879 to advance scholarship on St Thomas and to foster the application of his thought to contemporary questions. Click here for more information about the Pontifical Academy.

STRS Faculty and Alumni present papers at NAAL

CUA faculty and alumni gathered at the annual meeting of the North American Academy of Liturgy in Montreal, Quebec, on Jan. 5-8, 2012. CUA faculty in attendance included Associate Professor Michael Witczak and Assistant Professor Margaret Schreiber. Current CUA students James Sabak and Richard Hilgartner were in attendance, as well as CUA alums Cathie Vincie (this year’s NAAL president), Judith Kubicki, Mark Wedig, Donald La Salle, Richard McCarron, Gabriel Pivarnic, Steve Wilbricht, Jason McFarland, James Hadley, Heidi Miller, and Nicholas Denysenko.  Click here to read more.

Acting Dean published article           

Acting Dean Rev. Mark Morozowich published an article entitled “Tradition or Innovation – An Analysis of Recent Liturgical Developments in the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States” in Worship 86, No. 1 (Jan. 2012): 16-39. Rev. Morozowich presents a study of different liturgical issues in the Ukrainian Catholic Church to argue that a focus on the Byzantine tradition does not mean a mere repetition of the past, but is attentive to the worship needs of the community today.

Dr. John S. Grabowski published article

Dr. John S. Grabowski published an article entitled "The Luminous Excess of the Acting Person: Assessing the Impact of Pope John Paul II on American Catholic Moral Theology."  Journal of Moral Theology  1, no. 1 (2012):  116-47.  The essay argues that efforts by both proponents and critics of the late pope's thought to engage his work by connecting it to existing controversies have been inadequate in their failure to consider the anthropological unity and depth of that teaching.

STRS Professors contribute to new book

Three STRS faculty have contributed chapters to a new book, Ressourcement: A Movement for Renewal in Twentieth-Century Catholic Theology, eds. Gabriel Flynn and Paul D. Murray (Oxford University Press, 2012): Joseph Komonchak, John C. and Gertrude P. Hubbard Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, wrote "Humani Generis and Nouvelle Théologie," pp. 138-56; Paul McPartlan, Carl J. Peter Professor of Systematic Theology and Ecumenism, wrote, "Ressourcement, Vatican II. and Eucharistic Ecclesiology," pp. 392-404; and Christopher Ruddy, Associate Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology, wrote, "Ressourcement and the Enduring Legacy of Post-Tridentine Theology," pp. 185-201.

Rev. Michael Witczak elected Vice President of the North American Academy of Liturgy

Associate Professor Michael Witczak was elected Vice President of the North American Academy of Liturgy at its recent annual meeting in Montreal, Quebec. The election means that Dr. Witczak will serve for three years on the Academy Committee and as president for the 2014 meeting of the Academy. The North American Academy of Liturgy is an ecumenical and inter-religious association of liturgical scholars who collaborate in research concerning public worship. Dr. Witczak participates in the ongoing seminar on Issues in Medieval Liturgy.

Dr. Christopher Ruddy gave talk on Joseph Ratzinger

Dr. Christopher Ruddy gave a talk entitled "Sect or Mustard Seed? Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI on the Church as a 'Little Flock'", to the monastic community at the Trappist Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky on 22 December. Ratzinger views the Church through the perspective of salvation history and of Christology, whereby God--working patiently and gently--saves the 'many' through the 'one' (Jesus Christ) and the 'few' (Israel, the Church). The Church--however big or small--by its nature must always remain inwardly open, existing solely to love, serve, and suffer for the 'many.' A closed or sectarian Church contradicts God's saving will.

Dr. Robert Miller published article

Dr. Robert Miller published an article entitled "Oral Performance in Ancient Israel," in "My Spirit at Rest in the North Country" (Zechariah 6.8), ed. H. M. Niemann and M. Augustin (Beitrage zur Erforschung des Alten Testaments und des Antiken Judentums 57; Frankfurt: Peter Lang, 2011), 229-240. This article provides a detailed study of methods of performing oral "literature" in ancient Israel, drawing on evidence from archaeology, the Bible and other ancient texts, and comparative ethnography.

STRS Congratulates Newly Nominated Cardinal Alumnus Archbishop Timothy Dolan

Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI nominated STRS alumnus Archbishop Timothy Dolan as a new cardinal on Jan. 5. Archbishop Dolan completed his doctorate in Church History before he was appointed rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome in 1994 and installed as Archbishop of New York in 2009. The formal elevation ceremony will be on Feb. 18. Click here to read Archbishop Dolan’s full bio. Our prayers and best wishes are with the newly nominated Cardinal of New York.

Dissertation Defense:  Thomas W. Ricks

FInal Examination of Thomas W. Ricks for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. in Caldwell Hall, room 125.

Missives from the "Ice" Final: "Returning Home"

Msgr. Rossetti expresses gratitude for the support he has received for his trip to Antarctica and reflects on his mixed feelings about his return.

Rev. Christopher Begg published article

Rev. Christopher Begg published an article entitled "Yom Kippur in Josephus," The Dax Of Attonement. It's Interpretations in Early Jewish and Christian Traditions (Themes in Biblical Narrative:  Jewish and Christian Traditions, 15th ed. Thomas ieke and Tobias Nicklas; Leiden/Boston:  Brill, 2012) 97-120. This article provides a detailed study of the references to Yom Kippur throughout Josephus’ corpus and compares his treatment of the Day with those of Philo, the Temple Scroll and the Mishnah.

Dissertation Defense: Rev. James George Sabak, OFM

Final Examination of James George Sabak, OFM for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in Caldwell Hall, room 125.

December

Missives from the Ice #7: "Asking Fundamental Questions"

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti concludes his journey to Antarctica by asking scientists some of the basic questions of human existence.

Missives from the Ice #6: "Christmas at the South Pole"

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti reflected on the need for versatility when his plans to return from Antarctica were delayed.

Missives from the Ice #5: "Sons and Daughters of Norway"

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti celebrated the centennial anniversary of the Norwegian explorers to first visit Antarctica.  His full missive may be found here. 

STRS Alumnus now serves as Assistant Director for Counseling Service Organization

STRS Alumnus Andrew Schade, who graduated from CUA in 2010 with a bachelor of arts in Theology and Religious Studies, was interviewed on Cardinal Success Stories for continuing to serve in his capacity as Associate Director of Fundraising at Community Counseling Service (CSC), which “partners with leading non-profit organizations to help them meet a challenge.”  Click here to read the full interview.

Missives from the Ice #4: "PIG, the Tower of Babel, and our Green Pope"

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti provided us with his fourth weekly reflection as the Catholic Chaplain of Antarctica.  Msgr. Rossetti’s concern regarding Antarctica's warming climate mirrors Pope Benedict XVI's teaching that we are stewards of the earth.  Msgr. Rossetti’s weekly missives may be found here. 

Missives from the Ice #3:  "Pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Snows"

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti will be the Catholic Chaplain for scientists researching in Antarctica for the month of December.  He is providing CUA with weekly updates of his second journey to this frigid continent along with a brief reflection.  This week Msgr. Rossetti celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at the McMurdo Station chapel.  His weekly missives may be found here.

Dr. Robert Miller published article in Biblical Interpretation

Dr. Robert D. Miller’s article “Solomon the Trickster,” has appeared in Biblical Interpretation 19 (2011): 496-504. The article investigates the biblical character of Solomon using the literary category of trickster to bring out nuances in the text’s presentation of this figure.

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