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

February 22nd 2010 - 7 pm

Frazier Hall - Bellarmine University

Free and Open to the Public

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. He is finishing a book on racial justice and the Catholic response, forthcoming in early 2009 from Orbis Books. 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.

Hilary's, Bellarmine University

Speakers will include:

Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener is the director of the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network and the spiritual leader of Congregation Pnai Or of Central Connecticut. As a teacher, rabbi and community organizer, Andrea has practiced the art of bringing a spiritual perspective to problem solving for three decades. She has practical skills in communication and dialogue, environmental activism and personal growth. Andrea has worked in coalition and singly to address environment and life style issues. Andrea was ordained as a rabbi and spiritual guide in 1999 by the Alliance for Jewish Renewal.

Sister Kathleen Deignan is Professor of Religious Studies and founder of the Iona Spirituality Institute, which she directs at Iona College, in New Rochelle, NY.  Kathleen is the author of two books on the spiritual legacy of Thomas Merton: When the Trees Say Nothing: Thomas Merton's Writings on Nature (Sorin 2003), and Thomas Merton: A Book of Hours (Sorin 2007). Her engagement with Merton Studies, personally and professionally, has drawn her down paths in Christian and Buddhist spirituality and social and ecological justice concerns, which likewise fascinated Thomas Merton. She is engaged in formal inter-religious dialogue with Buddhists, Jews and Muslims, was a participant in the “Nuns in the West” encounter in May 2003, and is in the first class of Green Faith Fellows, a training program for religious environmental leaders.