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Inside Fordham

The following Fordham faculty and administrators can comment on issues related to the papacy.

Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J.
President emeritus, Fordham University
Father O’Hare can discuss the papacy, the papal encyclicals and the legacy of Pope John Paul II and other issues related to church history.

Peter Steinfels, Ph.D., and Margaret O’Brien Steinfels
Co-directors of the Fordham Center on Religion and Culture
Each of the Steinfels can discuss the legacy of Pope John Paul II and his influence on contemporary Catholic culture. The Steinfels can also discuss the impact a new pope might have on world affairs and interreligious dialogue.

Joseph Koterski, S.J.
Chair of the Department of Philosophy
Father Koterski has written extensively on Pope John Paul II and co-edited two books with John J. Conley, S.J., professor of philosophy at Fordham, titled Prophecy and Diplomacy: The Moral Teaching of Pope John Paul II  (Fordham University Press, 1999) and Culture and Creed  (St. Joseph’s University Press, 2004).  He can discuss his legacy and contributions to the church. He can also talk about the process for selecting a new pope.  

James Fisher, Ph.D.
Co-director, The Francis and Ann Curran Center for American Catholic Studies
Fisher can discuss how Pope John Paul II has shaped political and cultural attitudes in the American church.

Daniel Thompson, Ph.D.
Associate chair of the Department of Theology and director of Religious Studies 
Professor Thompson can discuss the legacy of Pope John II. He can also comment on the pope’s cardinal appointments and what they mean for the future of the church. Dr. Thompson can also discuss the impact a new pope might have on world affairs and interreligious dialogue, and the issues facing the contemporary Catholic Church, such as declining membership in some areas.

Joseph T. Lienhard, S.J.
Professor of theology
Father Lienhard is a church historian who can discuss the history of the papacy, the contributions of Pope John Paul II to the church, and the selection process for a new pope.

Rev. Anthony J. Ciorra, Ph.D.
Dean of the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education
Father Ciorra can discuss the significant themes of the Pope John Paul II papacy, the potential changes that we might see when a successor is named, and the future of the church.

George Demacopoulos, Ph.D.
Professor of theology
Professor Demacopoulos can discuss Pope John Paul II’s contribution to interreligious dialogue. The professor helped heal the rift between the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches by facilitating the return of treasured Greek Orthodox relics that had been confiscated by Christian crusaders in 1204. The return of the relics would not have taken place without the pope’s blessing.

Leo Lefebure, S.J.
Chair of the Department of Theology
Father Lefebure can discuss Pope John Paul II’s contribution to the church and can discuss the process for selecting a new pope.