FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Sacred Heart University will host a renowned international panel for its virtual discussion, “Francis: Is a Schism on the Horizon?”, on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, at 7 p.m. EST.
“The discussion will explore the diverse and highly contested views about the direction the Church is taking during the Bergoglio papacy,” said Michael W. Higgins, panel discussion organizer, distinguished professor emeritus at Sacred Heart, principal of St. Mark’s College and president of Corpus Christi College, University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
“Given the challenges the Church is facing—issues over governance, lack of moral leadership in the area of clerical sex abuse, the numerous global scandals around fiduciary mismanagement and the enduring curse of clericalism—Pope Francis has more than enough on his plate,” said Higgins.
The strong stands Pope Francis has taken on reform has generated tremendous pushback, which threatens to fragment the Church. “The Church has experienced schisms in the past, and those who break away usually disappear in time,” said Higgins. However, it is “never a good thing, and no pope—whose duty is to ensure unity—wants it on his watch,” he continued.
Daniel Rober, professor of Catholic studies at Sacred Heart University, will host the evening and Higgins will act as moderator. To watch the panel discussion on Jan. 26, visit SHU’s YouTube page.
Panelists will include:
Tina Beattie, professor emerita of Catholic studies and director of Catherine of Siena College at the University of Roehampton, London. Beattie’s research focuses on the relationship between Catholic tradition and contemporary culture, particularly pertaining to gender, sexuality and reproductive ethics; Catholic social teaching and women’s rights; and theology and the visual arts. She is a contributor to The Tablet, The Guardian online, The Conversation, and has appeared on BBC1, BBC2, Sky News, Al Jazeera and other international media.
David Gibson, award-winning journalist, author and filmmaker. Gibson is currently director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University. He is a frequent contributor to America magazine and has written two books on Catholicism—The Coming Catholic Church: How the Faithful are Shaping a New American Catholicism and The Rule of Benedict: Pope Benedict XVI and His Battle with the Modern World.
Michael Sean Winters, journalist and writer for the National Catholic Reporter. His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New Republic and New York Times Magazine. Winters’ blog Distinctly Catholic has won the Catholic Press Association award for “Best Individual Blog.” He also authored two books—Left at the Altar: How the Democrats Lost the Catholics and How the Catholics Can Save the Democrats and God’s Right Hand: How Jerry Falwell Made God a Republican and Baptized the American Right.
Each contributes regular columns to Sacred Heart University’s Go, Rebuild My House blog. Every week, the blog features a timely post by a renowned Catholic scholar, discussing the current state of the Church and contemporary culture. The blog was created “in keeping with the tradition and following the vision of Francis of Assisi,” and “tries to assist in rebuilding a church in a time of disunity and spiritual decay.” Sacred Heart University publishes the blog to engage in continuous and constructive discussion around meaningful Church reform.
###
About Sacred Heart University
As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland and offers online programs. More than 9,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 387 Colleges–2022 Edition, “Best Northeastern” and Best Business Schools–2021 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliated radio station, WSHU, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu