Catholic Lecture Series Opens at Toledo's Corpus Christi Parish

From The Toledo Blade:

The Rev. James Bacik will open the 25th Annual Fall Lecture Series at his church, Corpus Christi University Parish, with a talk at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow on "Renewing the Ordained Priesthood: Radical Solutions and Short-Term Approaches."

The six speakers in the series, which continues each Tuesday through Oct. 30, will address the topic of "Voices for Renewal in the Church," as well as the call to discipleship for all in the 21st century.

Father Bacik, a graduate of Oxford University, is pastor of Corpus Christi and author of a number of books, including Catholic Spirituality, Its History and Challenge.

He said his lecture will address the way Vatican II changed the "emphasis points" of the priesthood.

"Priests are often said to be representatives of Christ as priests, prophets, and kings or shepherds," Father Bacik said. "Vatican II put more emphasis on the pastoral role, that is the shepherding, or the overseer of the community, which changes the understanding of what a priest is all about."

The series will continue with lectures each Tuesday through Oct. 30, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the church, 2955 Dorr St., with a question-and-answer session to follow.

In addition to Father Bacik, the scheduled speakers are:

• Oct. 2: Richard Gaillardetz, author, theologian, and professor of Catholic studies at the University of Toledo, speaking on "Renewing the Baptismal Priesthood: Reflections on Becoming an Adult Church."

• Oct. 9: The Rev. James Alison, Catholic theologian and author of The Joy of Being Wrong: Original Sin through Easter Eyes, on "Taking Responsibility for Catholic Renewal: Desire, Imagination, and Institution in a Voluntary Church."

• Oct. 16: Elizabeth Johnson, distinguished professor of systematic theology at Fordham University and author of Truly Our Sister, on "Frontiers of the Quest for the Living God."

• Oct. 23: Peter Steinfels, religion columnist for the New York Times and co-director of the Fordham Center on Religion and Culture, on "Catholic Identity in a Secular Age."

• Oct. 30: The Rev. Ronald Rolheiser, author of The Holy Longing and president, Oblate School of Theology, on "The Gospel and Secularity: Being Missionaries to Our Own Children."

Tickets for individual lectures are $10 and series tickets for all six lectures are $25, available from Corpus Christi University Parish, 419-531-4992.

(emphasis added)

My Comments:
This ought to be "interesting". I imagine the collective angst over Pope Benedict's "reform of the reform" will be palpable.


UPDATE
Be sure to read Dale Price's take on the cast of characters involved in this lecture series.