Fairfield University's Center for Catholic Studies presents 50th anniversary celebration of the opening of Second Vatican Council

Fairfield University's Center for Catholic Studies presents 50th anniversary celebration of the opening of Second Vatican Council

"The greatest concern of the ecumenical Council is that the sacred deposit of Christian doctrine should be guarded and taught more effectively. ...the Church should never depart from the sacred treasure of truth ... But at the same time, she must ever look to the present, to the new conditions and the new forms of life introduced into the modern world." - Pope John XXIII

Image: Paul Lakeland Fairfield University will host a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) entitled, "Throw Open the Windows," commemorating a time of religious liberty, great spiritual renewal and reunion for Roman Catholics in the modern day.

Two lectures, free and open to the public, will take place the week of October 3. The 12th Annual Anne Drummey O'Callaghan Lecture on Women in the Church, will be delivered by Dr. Francine Cardman, associate professor of historical theology and church history at Boston College, who will discuss "Conciliar Women: Precedents and Portents," at 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, October 3, in the Quick Center for the Arts. The lecture honors the memory of Ms. O'Callaghan, formerly of Norwalk, CT, who served as youth minister and director of religious education at both St. Jerome and St. Joseph parishes and was very active in the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Another lecture anchoring the celebration is entitled, "Was Vatican II the Last Ecumenical Council?" to be delivered by Dr. Paul Lakeland, the Aloysius P. Kelley Chair in Catholic Studies at Fairfield University. It will take place at 4:30 p.m., on Wednesday, October 10, in the Dolan School of Business Dining Room.

The events are presented by Fairfield University's Center for Catholic Studies, which offers engaging programming for the community, especially but not exclusively the local Catholic community. Directed by Dr. Lakeland, the Center provides an inter-disciplinary inquiry into the intellectual tradition, history and culture, both "high" and popular, of the Catholic Christian tradition.

A detailed listing of the lectures follows:

Wednesday, October 3 , 7:30 p.m., Quick Center for the Arts

The 12th Annual Anne Drummey O'Callaghan Lecture on Women in the Church: " Conciliar Women: Precedents and Portents ," to be given by Dr. Francine Cardman, associate professor, Boston College. Whether addressing contemporary or ancient issues, what is common to her teaching and writing is an historical approach that grounds theology and ministry in their social and cultural contexts.

Wednesday, October 10 , 4:30 p.m., Dolan School of Business Dining Room

On the 50th Anniversary of the Opening of Vatican II: " Was Vatican II the Last Ecumenical Council? " a lecture to be delivered by Dr. Paul F. Lakeland, the Aloysius P. Kelley Chair in Catholic Studies, Fairfield University.

For more information, contact Elyse Raby, administrative coordinator, at (203) 254-4000 ext. 3415, or visit http://www.fairfield.edu/cs/ .

Posted On: 09-10-2012 11:09 AM

Volume: 45 Number: 43