Dr. Russell Hittinger lectures on the, "Natural Law and Public Discourse: The Legacies of Josef Ratzinger"
On Tuesday, March 24th the Moral Theology/Ethics Area hosted its annual spring distinguished lecture. Dr. Russell Hittinger, the William K. Warren Chair of Catholic Studies at the University of Tulsa, presented the lecture "Natural Law and Public Discourse: The Legacies of Josef Ratzinger" to an audience of students, faculty, and guests of the University. Dr. Hittinger examined the contributions of Josef Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholic understanding of natural law over the course of his academic career and ministry of teaching and the way he (and Karol Wojtyla/Saint John Paul II) effected a significant "upgrade" of the Catholic understanding.
On Monday March 16th the School of Theology and Religious Studies presented a symposium on the Synods on Family entitled "The Synods on the Family and the New Evangelization." Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, the President of U.S.C.C.B. and Dr. John Grabowski, Associate Professor and Director of Moral Theology/Ethics, discussed the nature of synods, the purpose of the current Synods on Family, the Archbishop's experience as a participant in the Extraordinary Synod, and the way in which these synods fit into the ministry of Pope Francis and his vision for the Church. The discussion was attended by students, faculty, administrators, and guests of the University.