Rev. Bryan N. Massingale, S.T.D.

February 22nd 2010 - 7 pm

Frazier Hall - Bellarmine University

Free and Open to the Public

Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Bellarmine University

Bryan Massingale (S.T.D., Accademia Alphonsianum, 1991), [Systematics/Ethics], specializes in social ethics with a focus on Catholic Social Teaching, liberation theologies, African American religious ethics, and racial justice at Marquette University. His recent work applies Catholic social thought to the issues of affirmative action, racial reconciliation, environmental justice, HIV/AIDS stigma, racism post-Katrina (and now, post-Obama), and the challenge of peacemaking in an age of terrorism.

He has authored over sixty articles, book chapters, and book reviews. These have been published in journals such as Theological Studies, New Theology Review, Philosophy and Theology, Origins, U.S. Catholic, The National Catholic Reporter, Signs of the Times in the Americas, and Catholic Peace Voice. His most recent work was a major document for Catholic Charities USA, entitled Poverty and Racism: Overlapping Threats to the Common Good, which was released in January of 2008. HIs book on racial justice and the Catholic response, Racial Justice and the Catholic Church, will be published by Orbis Books in February 2010. His next book project explores the contribution of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s social ethics to Catholic social thought, answering the question, “Why Catholic Social Teaching Needs Martin Luther King., Jr.”

Fr. Massingale is a leader in U.S. Catholic theology. He is President of the Catholic Theological Society of America and Convener of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium. He is a noted lecturer and commentator on issues of social and racial justice, having addressed numerous national Catholic conferences and gatherings, as well as many colleges and universities. He has served as a consultant to the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, providing theological assistance on issues such as criminal justice, capital punishment, environmental justice, and affirmative action. He has also been a theological consultant to the National Black Catholic Congress, Catholic Charities USA, the Catholic Health Association, and the National Catholic AIDS Network. In addition to being Associate Professor at Marquette University, Fr. Massingale is a professor in the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana.

Recent publications include: “HIV/AIDS and the Bodies of Black Peoples: The Spirituals and Resurrection Faith,” in M. Shawn Copeland, LaReine-Marie Mosely, and Robert J. Raboteau, eds., Uncommon Faithfulness: The Black Catholic Experience (Maryknoll: Orbis Press, 2009); Poverty and Racism: Overlapping Threats to the Common Good (Washington, DC: Catholic Charities USA, 2008); “The Scandal of Poverty: ‘Cultural Indifference’ and the Option for the Poor Post-Katrina,” Journal of Religion and Society Supplement Series 4 (2008): 55-72; “Racial Reconciliation in Christian Ethics: Toward Starting a Conversation,” Journal of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium 2 (2008): 31-57; “How We Move Beyond Race,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (March 24, 2008): 11A; “Race, Racism Engage Us at Gut Level,” National Catholic Reporter 44 (April 4, 2008): 5-6.

Fr. Massingale has been honored on a number of occasions. He has been recognized by the Catholic Press Association for an award-winning opinion column examining contemporary social issues from a faith perspective. He has received an honorary doctorate from Saint John’s University in New York City, and is the recipient of Project Equality’s “Religious Momentum” Award for his efforts in promoting diversity in the Catholic Church. He has been honored by both Fairfield University and Cardinal Stritch University for his advocacy for social justice and his work for inclusion of the socially marginalized. Further recognitions include the “Young Alumnus of the Year” from Marquette University, and the “Annecy Award” from St. Francis Seminary for his contributions to the local church.

Sister Jamie T. Phelps, O.P., Ph.D., has been a member of the Adrian Dominican Sisters since 1959. Currently she is a Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies of Xavier University of Louisiana. Prior to this position she has been a member of the faculty of the Catholic Theological Union and Loyola University, both in Chicago, and a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Theology in the Religious Studies Department at the University of Dayton, Dayton Ohio.

Dr. Phelps holds a B.A. in sociology from Siena Heights University, Adrian Michigan, an M.S.W. in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago; a M.A. in Theology from St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota and a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from The Catholic University of America.

She has edited two books Black and Catholic: The Challenge and Gift of Black Folk and co-edited Stamped in the Image of God: African Americans as God's Image in Black. In addition she has published more than 50 theological articles on issues of the mission of the Church, evangelization, enculturation, Christology, and spirituality. These have appeared in scholarly books and journals including The Bible Today, Missiology, New Theology Review, Theological Studies, U. S. Catholic Historian, Spiritual Traditions for the Contemporary Church edited by Gabriel O'Donnell and Robin Mass, A Troubling in My Soul: Womanist Reflections on Evil and Suffering edited by Emilie M. Townes, Taking Down Our Harps: Black Catholics in the United States edited by Diana Hayes and Cyprian Davis, and Black Faith and Public Talk, edited by Dwight N. Hopkins, and The Spirit in the Church and the Word edited by Braford E. Hinze. Most Recently she has written the 2008 Advent Meditation Booklet for Pax Christi USA Be Watchful and Alert-Seek God's Spirit in Our World.