SHMS Presents Four-day Symposium
Renowned theologians speak on nature of the Church

The landmark Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. was the venue for an important theological symposium presented by Sacred Heart Major Seminary, November 12-15, 2003.

Entitled “The Call to Holiness and Communion: Vatican II on the Church,” the symposium brought together internationally known Catholic theologians and Church leaders for four days of study and discussion. The symposium examined the theology of the nature and mission of the Church as presented by the Second Vatican Council and recent Church documents, particularly as it applies to American culture. The symposium also honored the twenty-fifth anniversary of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II by exploring the impact his life and work has had upon not only the Catholic Church of the new millennium, but upon secular society as well.

Major addresses were given by Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago; Avery Cardinal Dulles, Jesuit theologian and author; Undersecretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Rev. Augustine DiNoia, OP.; George Weigel, a leading commentators on issues of religion and public life; and Angelo Cardinal Scola, Patriarch of Venice, Italy, who presented the keynote address.

Adam Cardinal Maida and Fr. Steven Boguslawski, OP, welcomed the speakers and 120 attendees, which included Sacred Heart’s deans and faculty. Many bishops stayed over from their fall meeting in Washington, D.C. held earlier in the week to attend the event.

Throughout the four-day symposium, other well-known Catholic leaders delivered presentations and provide critical responses. Some of these included Drs. Janet Smith and Robert Fastiggi of SHMS; bioethicist Dr. Pia Francesca de Solenni of the Family Research Council; theologians Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR and Fr. Matthew Lamb; Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus Dr. Carl Anderson; and Bishops Paul Loverde, Allen Vigneron and William Lori.

“Call to Holiness and Communion” is the latest example of how Father Boguslawski and his administration have been working to fulfill Cardinal Maida’s wish that Sacred Heart become one of the premiere seminaries in the country.