This year’s Thomas J. and Mary H. Loftus Lecture, set for 7 p.m. Thursday in the Waldron Campus Center’s Yehl Ballroom, will focus on “Pope Francis and the Challenge of Church Reform.”
Dr. Richard Gaillardetz, Joseph Professor of Catholic Systematic Theology at Boston College, will be the featured speaker.
Gaillardetz, who is also the chair of the theology department at Boston College, will focus on one of the most popular — and controversial — popes in recent history.
Gaillardetz’s lecture will review the reformist program that Pope Francis has implemented into the Catholic Church.
A published author and editor of 13 books, Gaillardetz received his master’s degree and doctoral degree in systematic theology from the University of Notre Dame.
His most recent work is titled “By What Authority? Foundations for Understanding Authority in the Church.”
As a professional, Gaillardetz was a delegate on the U.S. Catholic – Methodist Ecumenical Dialogue from 2001-2005 and was president of the Catholic Theological Society of American in 2013-14.
His work has been recognized on more than one occasion. Recently he received the Yves Cougar Award from Barry University, which is given to the person who most embodies the spirit of Cardinal Yves Congar.
According to Barry.edu the award is given to the person who “embodies the spirit of Cardinal Yves Congar, by working, writing and teaching in light of the tradition while moving that tradition forward to meeting the challenges of today.”
Prior to receiving the Yves Congar Award, Gaillardetz received the Sophia Award from the Washington Theological Union for his service in ministry.
The Loftus Lecture is free and open to the public. Reservations are encouraged and can be made at gannon.edu/loftuslecture.
BRANDON JACES
