What if Catholic social teaching mattered in politics?

International lecturer R. Scott Appleby poses that question April 2nd downtown with WTTM Commentator John Callaway

Chicago (March 13, 2008)--R. Scott Appleby, Ph.D., of the University of Notre Dame will address “Politics As If Catholic Social Teaching Mattered,” when Saint Xavier University takes its Squeaky Weal/Catholic Colloquium Lecture Series downtown Wednesday, April 2, 2008. Questions and responses from WTTW commentator John Callaway will enrich the conversation and facilitate audience discussion.

Reservations are required for the 5:15 p.m. lecture, which will take place at the Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago’s Loop. For more information contact the University’s Mission and Heritage Office at 773-298-3981 or at mareska@sxu.edu.

Appleby will discuss the possible policy debates that might occur if Catholic social principles such as human dignity, the common good, and solidarity with others were taken seriously when searching for practical solutions to societal problems.

“The speakers, the venue, and the timeliness of the topic promise to make this lecture one of the liveliest of the entire series,” said Sister Susan Sanders, R.S.M., Ph.D., vice president of the Office for University Mission and Heritage and director of Saint Xavier’s Center for Religion and Public Discourse. “This topic relates directly to the mission of the University to educate men and women ‘to search for truth’ about how faith and reason might meet in the formation of public policy.”

Appleby, a Saint Xavier University trustee and former SXU faculty member, is the John M. Regan Jr. Director of the Kroc Institute and Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame. An internationally known lecturer, he is frequently sought by news media for explanation and comment on such topics as religious fundamentalism, comparative religions, peacemaking and American religious history.

Broadcast pioneer John Callaway is host and senior editor of WTTW’s “Friday Night” program. He was the founding host of “Chicago Tonight” (WTTW) and founding news director of WBBM’s all-news format begun in 1968. He is the recipient of several honorary degrees, including one from Saint Xavier University in 2002, as well as 17 Emmys and the Peabody Award.

“Politics As If Catholic Social Teaching Mattered” is sponsored by Saint Xavier’s Office for University Mission and Heritage and the University’s Center for Religion and Public Discourse. It is free and open to the public, although reservations are required.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu