His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper to
speak on the future of ecumenism
SAN FRANCISCO—(February 8, 2011)-- The
University of San Francisco (USF) is excited to announce the 2011 XXXII Paul
Wattson Lecture Hope for the Future of Ecumenism featuring Cardinal Walter Kasper, president emeritus
of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The lecture will take place on Monday,
February 21, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. in Saint Ignatius Church located on the
University’s main campus (650 Parker Avenue San Francisco, CA 94117).
Cardinal Kasper’s lecture entitled, Hope for the Future of Ecumenism,
will cover the debate over whether ecumenism is petering out as we near 50
years since the beginning of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian
Unity. The talk is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the
Koret Parking Lot on the corner of Turk and Parker streets, just across from
St. Ignatius Church.
“We are delighted to have such a
knowledgeable and experienced leader be our speaker for the 2011 lecture,” said
Fr. David J, Poirier, SA, Director for the XXXII Paul Wattson Lecture.
“Cardinal Kasper’s deep commitment to building bridges and continuing the
dialogue between faiths is inspiring and relevant. Attendees on February 21 are in for a terrific,
thought-provoking presentation.”
Cardinal Walter Kasper has been intimately involved
with the search for unity among Christians and has been an adamant promoter of
rapprochement with the Jewish people. He
recently retired after having served 11-years on the Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity, nine of the years of as president. He is a widely published author not only on
the subject of ecumenical and inter-religious topics, but also on an array of
theological inquiries. His publications
include “Anti-Semitism:
A wound to be healed for the European day of Jewish culture,”
and “That
They May All Be One: The Call To Unity Today.”
Cardinal Kasper was born on March 5, 1933 in
Heidenheim/Brenz, Germany. He was ordained for the Diocese of
Rottenburg-Stuttgart on April 6, 1957 and holds a doctorate in theology from
the Theological Faculty of Tübingen.
The Paul Wattson Lectures honor the memory of the
Rev. Paul James Francis Wattson, S.A., an early proponent of Christian unity
who began the Church Unity Octave and who is the founder of the Franciscan
Friars of the Atonement, a Roman Catholic religious community working towards
interreligious understanding and dialogue.
These annual lectures feature international leaders in ecumenism and interreligious
efforts contributing to the friars’ mission with their expertise.
For more information on the upcoming XXXII Paul
Wattson Lecture Series event, or any other inquiries about the University of
San Francisco, please contact abdevine@usfca.edu or
415-422-2697.
About
the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are a
religious community of brothers and priests founded in 1898 by Father Paul
Wattson. Their worldwide ministries
include Christian unity; interfaith dialogue among Christians, Jews, Muslims,
and Buddhists; serving the homeless and those suffering from alcoholism, drug
addictions, and HIV/AIDS; preaching the gospel in parishes around the world,
and offering respite and hope to those in need of spiritual renewal.
About
USF
Established in 1855, USF is San Francisco’s oldest
university and is consistently ranked as one of the most ethnically diverse
universities in the country. The University of San Francisco is committed to
being a premier Jesuit Catholic, urban university with a global perspective
that educates leaders who will fashion a more humane and just world. With
nearly 9,600 students enrolled both on- and off-campus, the university offers
undergraduate, graduate, and professional students the knowledge and skills
needed to succeed as persons and professionals, and the values and sensitivity
necessary to be men and women for others.
