Is the Pope Catholic?

The saying is often used in rhetorical response to an obvious question. But on Wednesday, April 13 at 8 p.m., it will be answered in earnest at Fairfield University.

Free and open to the public, the talk will be delivered by Richard R. Gaillardetz, Ph.D., the Margaret and Thomas Murray and James J. Bacik Endowed Chair in Catholic Studies at the University of Toledo.

"The pope is, by his baptism, a Roman Catholic," said Dr. Gaillardetz, the author of "Ecclesiology For A Global Church: A People Called and Sent (Theology in Global Perspective)." "The pope is, by his papal election, universal pastor of the Roman Catholic Church. Neither of these facts is seriously in question."

"What is a matter of legitimate discussion is whether the pope, as baptized Catholic and universal pastor, is acting as a true steward and facilitator of the church's catholicity," he continued. "This latter point is more a matter of how one understands the very nature and purpose of papal ministry. It is this question that lies at the heart of my lecture."

Entitled, "Is The Pope Catholic? Reflections on the Challenges of Leading a Global Church," the talk will take place in the Dolan School of Business Dining Room. It's sponsored by the Center for Catholic Studies, a place at Fairfield for the inter-disciplinary inquiry into the intellectual tradition, history and culture, both "high" and popular, of the Catholic Christian tradition. The lecture is part of the university's teaching of global citizenship via curriculum and events. Fairfield values graduating students with the tools, confidence, and vision to put their unique gifts to work as successful global citizens for the benefit of their communities and the world.

Gaillardetz has published numerous articles and authored seven books, including "The Church In The Making;" "Transforming Our Days: Finding God Amid the Noise of Modern Life;" "Readings in Church Authority;" and "A Daring Promise: A Spirituality of Christian Marriage: Revised and Expanded."

In August of 2011, Gaillardetz will assume a new position as the Joseph Professor of Catholic Systematic Theology in the Theology Department of Boston College. Prior to joining the faculty at Toledo, he taught at the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Theology in Houston, from 1991 to 2001. He received a B.A. in Humanities from the University of Texas, an M.A. in Biblical Theology from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, and both an M.A. and Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from the University of Notre Dame.

For more information, please contact the Center for Catholic Studies administrative coordinator at (203) 254-4000, ext. 3415, or visit http://www.fairfield.edu/cs/ .

Posted On: 03-28-2011 11:03 AM

Volume: 43 Number: 257