Can You Tell Me What a Parish Is?

Legal, Canonical, Pastoral and Theological Contributions Toward a Response

Loyola University, Chicago Illinois July 17-20, 2006

The parish is the most basic institution of the Roman Catholic Church, the point of most direct contact between her members, and yet it is hardly examined theologically or understood from a pastoral or legal perspective. A conversation about the parish is critical, moreover, to respond to litigation surrounding clergy sexual abuse. This interdisciplinary colloquium will bring experts and authorities from the fields of Constitutional, corporate and canon law, as well as experts in ecclesiology and the theology of the laity, to begin a dialogue on the nature and mission of the parish. Seven speakers will present the perspectives from their expertise; all participants who attend the conference will engage the question through Q&A with the speakers and in small-group breakout sessions.

Please join us in examining these questions which will affect the future—and the present—of our parishes.

This colloquium is designed to be of particular interest to:
· pastors
· theologians
· lawyers, especially those working with parishes or dioceses
· laity involved at the parish or diocesan level
· pastoral or diocesan financial officers
· pastoral council members interested in the relationship of their parish with their diocese

Why this Colloquium?

Presenters

· Most Rev. Francis Cardinal George, OMI –Archbishop of Chicago - keynote
· Mark Chopko, Esq., General Counsel for the USCCB
· Robert Christian, OP, Asst. Dean - Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome
· Joseph Fox, OP, Professor - Canon Law - Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit
· Rev. Anthony Oelrich, Director - Continuing Education, Diocese of St. Cloud
· Mark Sargent, Esq. Dean - Villanova University School of Law
· Michael Sweeney, OP, President - Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology
· Sherry Weddell, Co-Director - Catherine of Siena Institute

Download Conference Registration Form

Conference is at Loyola University/Chicago - Lake Shore Campus (Housing is available on campus)

- Directions to the conference
- Dining facilities and map
- Google Map of Loyola University

For more information, please contact 510-849-2030 or info@dspt.edu, or visit www.dspt.edu.

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See also the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology Events Calendar and Academic Calendar.

Details about the wide range of events happening across the GTU consortium are available at the GTU website.