In the Community -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conference: The Fordham Center on Religion and Culture recently organized Faith + Reason: A Dialogue at the Heart of Jesuit Education, an invitational conference for the twelve East Coast Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Sponsored by the Provincials of New England, New York, and Maryland, and the President of Fordham University, the conference took place June 16-18 at Fordham’s Rose Hill Campus. Transcripts and videos available on the website. For more information, please visit the website.
Exhibition: Tobi Kahn: Sacred Spaces for the 21st Century The Museum of Biblical Art, New York City.
This exhibition brings together recent projects by New York City artist Tobi Kahn (chief among them Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun; Milwaukee, WI, 2008) within the context of sacred spaces conceived for the 21st century. Opens October 16, 2009 until January 24, 2010. MOBIA is located at 1865 Broadway, at 61 Street in New York City. More info: 212-408-1500
In the Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cardinal Egan Not Going Out Quietly
Just weeks away from retirement, Cardinal Edward Egan is raising some eyebrows with his comments about marriage for priests. Peter Steinfels comments on WNBC. watch video
Wrap-Up Analysis of Pope's Visit
Benedict XVI's recent six-day visit to the U.S. was his first since being elected pope three years earlier. Religion & Ethics Newsweekly's Kim Lawton concludes her coverage of this historic trip with a look at its impact inside and outside the Roman Catholic Church. Peter Steinfels joins in a studio discussion analyzing Benedict's role as pastor, statesman and preacher of the faith. To view this discussion click here. To view more media coverage on the Pope's visit to the United States featuring commentary by members of the Fordham community, click here. To see Peter Steinfels discuss the papal visit with Jon Stewart on the Daily Show click here.
"Da Vinci" Forum featured on PBS
Religion and Ethics Newsweekly’s Kim Lawton delves into the controversy over "The Da Vinci Code" book and film. The segment features Harry Attridge, Dean of Yale Divinity School, who participated in the recent conference "Waiting for Da Vinci", sponsored by the Fordham Center and Religion and Culture. For more information, click here.
In Print --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mis-governance: Cleaning Up After the Bush Administration >>>
NEW YORK – "While the Bush administration certainly has perpetrated bad government, a major task facing the new Obama administration is to track down the legacy of this mis-governance..." Margaret O’Brien Steinfels weighs in on the challenges facing the incoming administration.
Commonweal, December 5, 2008
Is Anti-Catholicism Dead? >>>
NEW YORK – "If anyone walked in here this evening thinking that anti-Catholicism didn’t exist, I assume that by now you have repented and are awaiting absolution..." Peter Steinfels joins a distinguished panel at the Museum of the City of New York on July 22 to discuss "Is Anti-Catholicism Dead?" Sewell Chan reports.
The New York Times, July 23, 2008
Modernity Does Not Mean Religion Inevitably Retreats, Say Panelists >>>
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Modern life does not inevitably entail the retreat of religion from the public forum, concluded participants in a Dec. 5 Fordham University panel discussion on the myths and realities of secularization. Beth Griffin reports for CNS.
Catholic News Service, December 2007
U.S. Has Moral Obligation to Iraqi People >>>
NEW YORK – The United States has a moral obligation to the people of Iraq that must be met regardless of when U.S. troops ultimately withdraw from that country. That was the conclusion of the panelists at “Exit or No Exit? Morality and Withdrawal from Iraq,” a New York forum held Sept. 18 and attended by 450 people on the Lincoln Center campus of Jesuit-run Fordham University. CNS reporter Beth Griffin was there, and filed this report.
Catholic News Service, September 2007
The Face of God: What Benedict's Jesus Offers >>>
NEW YORK – You can read Pope Benedict XVI’s Jesus of Nazareth (Doubleday) to learn about Jesus of Nazareth. Or you can read it to learn about Benedict XVI. Of course, it is not impossible to do both. In some respects, it is impossible not to do both. Peter Steinfels reviews the Pope's new book.
Commonweal, August 17, 2007
Beliefs: Bergman, Antonioni and the Religiously Inclined >>>
NEW YORK – In this week’s obituaries for Ingmar Bergman, perhaps no character in the great filmmaker’s work was mentioned more frequently than God. There is an interesting contrast here with Michelangelo Antonioni...Of all the other great Italian directors, probably none were so unremittingly secular as Antonioni. Peter Steinfels weighs in on the passing of two cinema legends.
The New York Times August 4, 2007
Artist, Nun and Chapel >>>
NEW YORK – An overflow crowd gathered last month to see a film (“A Model for Matisse”) and hear a reading (from Blue Arabesque). The event was sponsored by the Fordham Center for Religion and Culture. The filmmaker Barbara Freed met the writer Patricia Hampl there for the first time, but they already had much in common. America magazine was there and filed this report.
America Magazine, June 18, 2007
In Person ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boston MA On November 22, 2008 Boston College's Robsham Theater was the setting for a symposium entitled One Nation Under God? The Role of Religion in American Public Life. Margaret Steinfels joined a stellar group of scholars, journalists, and practitioners who explore dthe historic and continuing influence of religion and religious belief on civic life in theUnited States of America. Joining Steinfels was Mark Lilla, Alan Wolfe, Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., Amy Sullivan, Steven Waldman, Stephen Carter, Daniel C. Dennett, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Michael J. Sandel, Susannah Heschel, and Hanna Rosin. More information (413) 584-8440.
East Lansing, MI On October 9, 2008, Peter Steinfels was the speaker for the third annual American Thought and Culture endowed lecture, to be held in the Erickson Kiva on the MSU campus. Dr. Steinfels spoke about "Religion, Politics and American Culture: How the Landscape has Changed."
Los Angeles, CA On January 30, 2008, Loyola Marymount University held its annual mission day to discuss one phrase in the university's mission statement, "service of faith." Margaret Steinfels, co-director of the Fordham Center on Religionand Culture opened the day's discussion, followed by a series of panel discussions with different members of the university community. A final session concluded the day with with reflections on the day's events and a Q & A session. The event was convened by Robert Caro, S.J., head of the Office of Mission and Ministry. To read Steinfels' opening remarks click here.
