Holy Cross to Host Two Public Panel Discussions on the Papacy

WORCESTER, Mass. – The life and work of John Paul II - as well as the issues facing the new pope and the Catholic Church - will be explored by faculty members of the College of the Holy Cross in two panel discussions on Wednesday, April 20 and Thursday, April 21. Both discussions will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at the Rehm Library in Smith Hall.

The events are free and open to the public.

The eight faculty members participating in the panel discussions represent various academic disciplines - history, religious studies, philosophy, political science, among them - and will present diverse perspectives on the papacy.

On Wednesday, April 20, the evening will be devoted to perspectives on the papacy of John Paul II. William Shea, director of the College’s Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture, will moderate. The panelists and their individual talks are:

Rosemary Carbine, assistant professor of religious studies. "John Paul II on Women: A Theological Perspective."

Rev. William Clark, S.J., assistant professor of religious studies. "Local Churches, Universal Church in the Papacy of John Paul II."

Katherine McElaney, director of Office of College Chaplains. "The Ministry of Pope John Paul II."

Rev. Thomas Worcester, S.J., associate professor of history. "The Pope as Prince, Patron, and Pastor: Julius II to John Paul II."

On Thursday, April 21, panelists will address the challenges facing the new pope and the Church. The moderator will be Thomas Landy, associate director of the Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture. Speakers are:

Jeffrey Bloechl, assistant professor of philosophy. "The Papacy and the Modern World."

Theresa McBride, professor of history. "The Pope, the World, and Women."

Maria Rodrigues, assistant professor of political science. "The Pope, the Church and Politics."

Mathew Schmalz, assistant professor of religious studies. "The Pope, the Church and the World’s Religions."