Click on the underlined titles below to download texts or get more information. Events are listed chronologically.
2009
EBOO PATEL
Acts of Faith: Interfaith Leadership in a Time of Religious Crisis January 29, 2009
Lecture & book signing with Eboo Patel, the founder and executive director of the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based international nonprofit working to build mutual respect and pluralism among religiously diverse young people by empowering them to work together to serve others. He is the author of Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation (2007). He has a doctorate in sociology of religion from Oxford University, and is an online panelist for the "On Faith" blog, co-hosted by the Washington Post and Newsweek magazine. This event is sponsored with Vesper Society, as part of a special event series titled Interfaith Dialogue and Justice: Exploring Strategies for Global Development and Peace.
JOHN T. NOONAN, JR.
A Church that Can and Cannot Change
February 17, 2009
In conversation with Robert W. McElroy, 2008 Lo Schiavo Chair in Catholic Studies and Social Thought at USF. John T. Noonan, Jr. is a judge of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco. He is a historian of ideas, distinguished lecturer, and author of thirteen books.
ELSA TAMEZ Relevant Ecumenism: Input from Earliest Christianity
30th Annual Paul Wattson Lecture
February 23, 2009
Dr. Tamez is emeritus professor of Biblical studies at Latin American Biblical University and author of several books including Bible of the Oppressed (1982), and Jesus and Courageous Women (2001).
Human Rights Film Festival at USF February 24-26, 3009 More Info
GLOBAL WOMEN'S RIGHTS FORUM March 2-5, 2009
Annual series of lectures and events celebrating International Women's Day at USF. Click here for more information.
Monday, March 2, 2009 Immigrant Women’s Rights in California Lideras Campesinas (Salinas, CA)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009 Young Women Organize Against HIV/AIDS at Home and Abroad Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS and LYRIC: Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center (San Francisco, CA)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 Global Perspectives on Religious Fundamentalism: Assessing the Impact on Women Panelists: Teresia Mbari Hinga, University of Santa Clara, Lois Ann Lorentzen, USF and María Suárez Toro, FIRE: Feminist International Radio Endeavour. Lilian Dube, moderator.
Teresia Mbari Hinga is associate professor of religious studies at Santa Clara University. Born in Kenya, Dr. Hinga holds a doctorate in religious studies/African Christianity from the University of Lancaster, England. Her research focuses on religion and women’s issues, particularly in Africa and the ethics of globalization.
Lois Ann Lorentzen is professor of social ethics and chair of the department of theology and religious studies at the University of San Francisco (USF) and co-director of the Center for Latino Studies in the Americas (CELASA) at USF. She is the author of many books and articles on immigration, environmental ethics, bioethics, gender and religion.
María Suárez Toro is a journalist, teacher, human rights activist and co-director of the Feminist International Radio Endeavor (FIRE). She holds a Ph.D. in education from the University of La Salle in Costa Rica, and is author of Se Vende Lindo Pais (Lovely Country for Sale).
Lilian Dube, moderator, is assistant professor of theology and religious studies at the University of San Francisco and co-chair of the African studies program. In 1999 she became the first African woman to earn a doctorate in theology from Stellenbosch University, South Africa since the school’s founding in 1866. She has taught in the UK, Zimbabwe and the US. She is the coeditor of Theology in the Context of Globalization: African Women’s Response (2005).
Thursday, March 5, 2009
1:30-3:30 pm Transnational Feminist Media Activism María Suárez Toro, FIRE
JAMES NICKOLOFF
'Intrisically Disordered': The Role of the Despised in Establishing the Holiness of the Church
A community conversation exploring gay marriage and Catholic identity in light of Proposition 8. Sponsored with the USF LGBTQ Caucus.
March 9, 2009
James Nickoloff is professor emeritus of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross and current Bannan Fellow at Santa Clara University. He is the editor of Gustavo Gutierrez: Essential Writings (1996) and coeditor with Orlando Espin of Introductory Dictionary of Theology and Religious Studies (2007).
AMIR ACZEL, author of THE JESUIT AND THE SKULL
Teilhard de Chardin, Evolution, and the Search for Peking Man March, 23, 2009
Presented by the Ricci Institute at the USF Center for the Pacific Rim. In 1929 a French Jesuit named Teilhard de Chardin helped pull free a skull still emtombed in clay inside a cave near Beijing. he and the other scientists on the team identified the skull: it belonged to homo erectus, a critical Darwinian link between erect hunting apes and our homo sapiens ancestors. The skull became known around the world as Peking Man; the controversy it caused lasted for much of the 20th century. De Chardin, an important intellectual in the history of science, became very controversial. This is his and our story: how does one keep a commitment to science and also to faith?
RELIGIOUS LEADERS' LUNCHEON with the
INTERFAITH MDG COALITION
April 1, 2009
The 2nd annual gathering of interfaith leaders to examine the influence that communities of faith can have on congressional legislation on behalf of those who live in extreme global poverty. Hosted by USF, Vesper Society, and the Interfaith MDG Coalition. By invitation only. For an invitation, please contact the Lane Center by email or at 415-422-5200.
GEORGES DE SCHRIJVER, SJ
The Political Ethics of Lyotard April 2, 2009
Sponsored by the Bay Area Continental Philosophy Association (BACPA).
Commentator: Gerard Kuperus, USF Fr. Georges De Schrijver, SJ is professor emeritus at the Catholic University of Louvain, Leuven. He is an editor of Steven, a Dutch-Flemish journal of opinion. For the past five years he has taught in Nigeria and the Philippines. He has studied and written on comparative theologies of liberation from the contexts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, interreligious conflict in postcolonial Europe, and political ethics.
HEROINE WITH A THOUSAND FACES: The Virgin of Guadalupe and the Risks of Religious Pluralism April 8, 2009
Brown-bag presentation with Professor Jorge Aquino of the USF Theology and Religious Studies Department on a pluralistic reading of the Virgin of Guadalupe, based on his research into the phenomenology of religious charisma. Sponsored by the Dept. of Theology and Religious Studies, Latin American Studies, CELASA, Chican@/Latin@ Studies, and the Lane Center.
MARGARET O'BRIEN STEINFELS: Summer Lecture Series July 8, 15, 22, 2009
Former editor of Commonweal magazine and co-director of the Fordham University Center on Religion and Culture, Peggy Steinfels presented three public lectures as the 2009 Lane Center Summer Scholar-in-Residence.
1. My Chicago Catholic Bubble: Memories (some accurate) of a Catholic GirlhoodView 2. In a Church Without Enemies, What is the Defender of the Faith to do?View 3. Reinventing CatholicView
THOMAS REESE, SJ Sponsored by the St. Ignatius Church Adult Faith Formation Program
Religion and Politics: What is Forbidden, What Allowed, What Prudent?
Pope Benedict XVI on The World Economy, Capitalism & Government: The New Encyclical "Caritas in Veritate"
Catholics and Obama: Bishops, People and Issues
Thomas J. Reese, SJ is a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University, an independent Catholic research institute. He is former editor of America, a weekly Catholic magazine. As editor of America, Fr. Reese promoted discussion on current issues facing the Catholic Church and the world. He is the author of several books including Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church.
Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik is founding president of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights and former Prime Minister of Norway. Serving two terms as Prime Minister of Norway from 1997-2005, Prime Minister Bondevik was known for increasing programs in health care and education, appointing a large number of women to cabinet posts, protecting the environment, and pledging humanitarian aid to war-ravaged Iraq. In 2005 he founded the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights to promote international human rights activities, world peace, religious tolerance and democracy. He has also served as the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy in Southern Africa where he spearheaded efforts to address drought, food shortages and promote political stability.
Community Organizing Training for USF Students, Faculty and Staff
October 23-24, 2009
Faith-based community organizing has a long history of empowering communities to make the changes that they need for safer, stronger neighborhoods and cities. The Ignatian Solidarity Network, in collaboration with PICO (People Improving Communities through Organizing) and the Lane Center is offering the opportunity for USF students, staff, and faculty to take part in a 2-day, intensive workshop on community organizing.
Justice Against Poverty with Irene Khan of Amnesty International
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
5:30pm - Book signing, McLaren Lobby
6:00pm - Panel Discussion, McLaren 250/251
Irene Khan, Secretary General, Amnesty International, and author of The Untold Truth: Poverty and Human Rights Bio Larry Cox, Executive Director, Amnesty International USA Bio James Stormes, S.J., LoSchiavo Chair, USF Bio
Sponsored by the Office of the President, University Ministry, Lane Center for Catholic Studies and Social Thought, and the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good.
2008
Foundations for a National Ethical Discussion about Iraq Friday, February 1, 2008 Download text. Robert W. McElroy, Bay Area priest, scholar and author, suggests
an ethical framework within the Catholic tradition that might inform a position
on withdrawal from Iraq. Msgr. McElroy is pastor of St. Gregory’s
Parish in San Mateo, CA where he has served for twelve years. He is
the author of The Search for an American Public Theology (Paulist Press)
and Morality and American Foreign Policy reprinted by Princeton University
Press in 2007. He is a frequent contributor to America magazine, having published
the highly regarded article “Church Teaching on War: Why
We Must Withdraw from Iraq” in 2007. Msgr. McElroy holds a bachelor’s
degree from Harvard, a doctorate in ethics from the Pontifical Gregorian University
in Rome, and a Ph.D. in international relations from Stanford. He teaches
social ethics at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, CA.
Interfaith Leaders' Luncheon on the Point 7 Now Campaign to End Global
Poverty
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The USF Lane Center with the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Episcopal
Diocese of California is proud to host host an informational and networking
luncheon to gather an interfaith partnership to influence congressional legislation
on behalf of those who live in extreme global poverty. The goal of the Point
7 Now campaign is to increase US foreign aid to .7% of GNP in support of the
UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
To learn more, please contact the Lane Center at (415) 422-5200 or email
Restorative Justice and Catholic Social Thought: Challenges as Opportunities
for Society, Church, and Academy Friday, February 29, 2008 Download complete text.
Kurt M. Denk, SJ, is a Jesuit priest from the Maryland Province of
Jesuits. He is currently a law student at the University of California,
Berkeley and associate chaplain at San Quentin State Prison where he has worked
since 2004. During this time he helped the Interfaith Restorative Justice
Roundtable at San Quentin write a document titled "Responsibility,
Rehabilitation and Restoration: A Response and Implementation Plan"
in response to the US Bishops' document on restorative justice. This
paper was adopted by the California Catholic Conference as a model for restorative
justice programs throughout the state. Fr. Denk has a master's degree
in divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, a master's degree
in philosophy from Fordham and a bachelor's degree in history from Georgetown.
As part of his Jesuit training, he has also served as a hospital chaplain,
college teacher and administrator, and retreat and spiritual director.
The Life and Work of Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDN (1940-2005) Wednesday, March 5, 2008 Binka LeBreton, author of The Greatest Gift: The
Courageous Life and Martyrdom of Sister Dorothy Stang (Doubleday, 2007)
tells the story of contemporary martyr Dorothy Stang. Sr. Stang fought
alongside poor farmers for land rights against logging and development companies
in Brazil's rainforest until she was killed in 2005. Co-Sponsored by
the Lane Center, Latin American Studies, and the Department of Theology and
Religious Studies.
Spirit in Action: Photography Exhibit by Jerry Berndt
February 9 - April 13, 2008
San Francisco Main Library, Jewett Gallery, Lower Level
San Francisco and Los Angeles, two of the nation's most diverse cities, boast
rapidly changing religious landscapes. The religious diversity celebrated
in these cities manifests itself by a commitment to serve those in need.
Our window into these complex cities is photography. What does faith
look like when it takes to the streets? Through the lens of Jerry
Berndt, we see people not only raising their hands in praise, but
also working together to bring about a more just social order; we see Spirit
in Action.
The Evolution of Moral Theology: 1900-1970 Summer Lecture Series
James F. Keenan, SJ
July 2008
Greg Mortenson September 8, 2008
Greg Mortenson, co-author of Three Cups of Tea and founder of the Central Asia Institute, gave the 2008 Justice Lecture at USF and received an honorary degree. View his lecture here.
URBI ET ORBI LECTURE For God and Country: Patriotism and Religious Identity Today
September 25, 2008 Thomas Massaro, SJ, professor of moral theology at Boston College School for Theology and Ministry, reflects on the perennial tensions surrounding our efforts to combine loyalty o God and nation, and on the major challenges facing American Catholics today.
Feminist Theology and the Zapatista Movement: A Report from Chiapas October 30, 2008 Sylvia Marcos, internationally recognized professor of religion and sociology, Sylvia Marcos,
will discuss Catholic pastoral activism and feminist theology in the woman-centered
leadership of the Zapatista movement in Chiapas, México. Co-sponsored with the USF departments of theology and religious studies, Latin
American studies and Latin@/Chican@ studies and the USF Center for Latino Studies
in the Americas (CELASA).
Where Do We Go On Iraq? Comparative Just War Traditions November 11, 2008 Aaron Hahn Tapper, Swig Chair of Judaic Studies, USF Robert W. McElroy, Lo Schiavo Chair in Catholic Studies and Social Thought, USF
The United States is facing the question on what policy should govern our military intervention in Iraq. Join University scholars and students for analysis and reflection on ways in which major religious traditions can offer perspectives on a just and peaceful resolution.
2007
Sacramental Light: Latin American Devotional Art January 22—April 22, 2007
Thacher Gallery, Gleeson Library/Geschke Center, University of San Francisco
Featuring the works of Latin American devotional art chosen from the private collection of Antonio and Lola Roig-Ferré. Curated by Fr. Thomas Lucas, SJ, of the USF Fine Arts Department. sacramental.html
Human Rights Film Festival at USF March 19-21, 2007 More Info
The Church's Response to Globalization in Africa with Bishop Patrick Kalilombe
March 20, 2007
Sponsored by African Studies. Contact: Heather Hoag at hjhoag@usfca.edu.
Breaking Down the Borders. Immigration in San Francisco: A KQED and USF Immigration Event April 16, 2007
Screening of excerpts from a KQED documentary on immigration, "Immigration in Focus" (researchers from USF's the Religion and Immigration Program served as consultants) and panel discussion featuring Kevin Chun (Psychology), Jay Gonzalez (Politics and Yuchengco Philippine Studies Program), Luis Enrique Bazan (University Ministry) and Lois Ann Lorentzen (Theology and Religious Studies) with community activists Vince Gutierrez, Manuel Espinosa and Jade Woo.
Life and Death: A Requiem for the Victims of Darfur May 4, 2007
St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker at Golden Gate, San Francisco
The choral group AVE, under the direction of Jonathan Dimmock, performs the music of Lobo, Sheppard, Howells and Villette, with a speaker (Mario Bol) who is a refugee from Darfur and a student at USF, to raise awareness of the ongoing tragedy in Darfur.
The Church and the Crucified Peoples May 20, 2007
Dean Brackley, SJ Download text.
Dean Brackley, SJ is a worldwide thought leader in Jesuit social justice ministry and education. He has taught theology and ethics at the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA) in San Salvador, El Salvador since 1990, where he volunteered to go immediately following the murder of his six brother Jesuits and their two coworkers there in 1989. Fr. Brackley’s published works include Divine Revolution: Salvation and Liberation in Catholic Thought (Orbis Books, 1996) and The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times: New Perspectives on the Transformative Wisdom of Ignatius Loyola (Crossroad, 2004) which received an award from the Catholic Press Association in 2005. Download event flyer.
Religion and Sexuality: What is the Connection? May 23, 2007
Sponsored by the Religious Instititute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing.
Hosted by the Lane Center for Catholic Studies and Social Thought at USF.
Colloquium for leaders of sexual and reproductive health organizations, theologians, social scientists, and progressive clergy to affect change in public policy makers' understanding of mainstream and progressive religious perspectives on sexual health and sexual rights issues and to motivate sexual and reproductive health organizations to more proactively engage the faith community.
Violence Against Women, Honor Killing, and the Future of Society:
How Violence Against Women has Increased in Kurdistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Region June 20, 2007
Film screening & panel with Amnesty International human rights advocates.
Summer Lecture Series with Lane Center Scholar-In-Residence
Thomas Reese, SJ
July 8-24, 2007
How to Survive as a Thinking Catholic
Catholic Challenges in the 21st Century
Reforming the Vatican Curia
Faith & Politics in 2008
Christianity and Cultures: China & Japan in Comparison (1543-1644)
Fr. M. Antoni J. Üçeler, SJ September 13, 2007
Sponsored by the Ricci Institute, Center for the Pacific Rim, USF
The Legacy of Pedro Arrupe, SJ: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of his Birth
Fr. Kevin Burke, SJ September 14, 2007 Download text.
Flannery O'Connor's Vision of Faith, Church and Modern Consciousness
Most Rev. George H. Niederauer, Archbishop of San Francisco
September 28, 2007 Download text.
Baroque Bagatelles: Jesuit Opera, Theatre and Ballet
An Illustrated Lecture
Fr. Thomas Lucas S.J. Friday, October 12, 2007
San Ignacio de Loyola: An Opera from the Jesuit Missions of Paraguay By Domenico Zipoli, SJ (1688-1726); Martin Schmid, SJ (1694-1772); & a third anonymous composer
Directed by Michael A. Zampelli, SJ
Musical Direction by John Finney
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Point 7 Now! Action Conference on the Millennium Development Goals Mobilizing the American communities of faith to take a stand against extreme global poverty in support of the Millennium Development Goals. St. Mary's Cathedral, San Francisco
October 27, 2007 More info
Hope Rising Healing Together: AIDS in Africa Featuring Bridget Chisenga, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Zambia, coordinator of HIV/AIDS care. She focuses on AIDS awareness in the workplace and fighting social stigma against those with HIV/AIDS.
Monday, October 29, 2007
A Feminist Appraisal of Catholic Social Thought
Download text. Dr. Kristin Heyer, Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics, Loyola Marymount University
Friday, November 9, 2007
Gays and Grays: The Story of the Gay Community at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish
A conversation with Fr. Donal Godfrey, SJ, USF's Director of University Ministry and author of Gays and Grays (Lexington Books, 2007) which chronicles the rise - and almost fall - of Most Holy Redeemer parish in the Castro District of San Francisco. The book tells the incredible story of how the women and men, clergy and laity, young and old of the parish dealt with the AIDS crisis literally on its door-step, and created one of the most vibrant, inclusive and faith-filled parish communities in the country.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Treasure from Japan and China in the Jesuit Roman Archives (1540-1773):
A Spiritual or Colonial ‘Enterprise’?
Rev. Dr. M. Antoni J. Üçerler, SJ, Jesuit Historical Institute (Rome), Distinguished Fellow of
the EDS-Stewart Chair, Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Culture History at the USF Center
for the Pacific Rim
April 13, 2006
The Black Church, Sexuality and HIV/AIDS Bishop John L. Selders, Jr. PowerPoint Presentation September 29, 2006
The Idea of the Catholic University: 1967-2007 Stephen Schloesser, SJ, LoSchiavo Chair in Catholic Social Thought
Download full text of his paper delivered at the annual gathering of Western region Jesuit colleges and universities.
October 13, 2006
Theology on Tap
Discussions with young adult Catholics at a local pub on current issues.
Catholic Imagination in the Arts and Literature Ron Hansen, Santa Clara University, award-winning author of Hitler's Niece, Atticus, and Mariette in Ecstasy
October 18, 2005
The Parallelism and Eventual Convergence of Science and Religion Charles H. Townes, University of California at Berkeley, Nobel Laureate in Physics and Templeton Prize Winner
November 1, 2005
Jesuit Scientists and the Pursuit of Reason Mordechai Feingold, California Institute of Technology
November 8, 2005
What is the Catholic Church's Teaching on End-of-Life Issues? James Bretzke, SJ, Professor of Theology and Religious Studies, University of San Francisco
2004
Globalization: Challenge to Catholic Social Thought John A. Coleman, SJ, Charles Casassa Professor of Social Values
at Loyola Marymount University
Inaugural Lecture to Announce the Opening of the Lane Center
October 12, 2004
