Theology, Synodality, and the Rise of Global Catholicism

• IN PERSON
• ONLINE on ZOOM

Whitley Event Center at Oblate School of Theology
285 Oblate Drive, San Antonio, TX 78216

This event is FREE!

Global Catholicism is an emerging reality not simply because of demographics. It is much Global Catholicism represents an evolving reality that extends beyond demographic changes. It encompasses more than transformations in religious identity, population distribution, ecclesial personnel, or pastoral structures. Rather, its emergence signals a profound shift in the Catholic imaginary and self-understanding. This pivotal development aligns with Pope Francis’ call for a synodal conversion of the Church, shaping its engagement with the modern world. The convergence of the global and synodal dimensions redefines the interplay between institutional structures and lived faith, as well as between theology and culture. This intersection necessitates a reevaluation of theological practice within the Church: its nature, purpose, and the identity of both theologians and their audiences.

Dr. Massimo Faggioli is full professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University (Philadelphia). His books and articles have been published in more than ten languages. He is member of the steering committee for the project “Vatican II: Event and Mandate” for a multi-volume, intercontinental commentary of Vatican II. In 2023 he has been elected to the board of editors of the international journal of theology Concilium. He was founding co-chair of the unit “Vatican II Studies” for the American Academy of Religion between 2012 and 2017. He has a column in La Croix International, is contributing writer for Commonweal magazine and for the Italian magazine Il Regno.

Among his recent publications: The Liminal Papacy of Pope Francis. Moving Toward Global Catholicity (2020); Joe Biden and Catholicism in the United States (Bayard 2021); The Oxford Handbook of Vatican II, co-edited with Catherine Clifford (2023); Theology and Catholic Higher Education: Beyond Our Identity Crisis (2024); and Global Catholicism: Between Disruption and Encounter, co-authored with Bryan Froehle, with whom he co-founded and co-edits the series “Studies in Global Catholicism” for Brill Publishers. https://brill.com/display/serial/SGCHe is under contract with Oxford University Press for a book on the history of the Roman Curia.He lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife and their two children.

The Louis G. Vance Lecture in Systematic Theology at Oblate School of Theology is an annual event dedicated to advancing theological scholarship and dialogue. Established to honor Louis G. Vance's contributions to theology, the lecture invites distinguished scholars to address pressing topics in systematic theology, fostering critical reflection and exploration of contemporary issues within the Church and broader society. It serves as a platform to engage students, theologians, and the community in meaningful theological discourse.

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