Monsignor James Patrick Shea, President of the University of Mary | University Of Mary
Monsignor James Patrick Shea, President of the University of Mary | University Of Mary
The University of Mary will host Catholic author and speaker Michael Aquilina as part of its Convocation Series on October 25, 2024. Aquilina is set to present "Women and Children First: How the Church Revolutionized Marriage and Childhood" at Butler Auditorium in the Gary Tharaldson School of Business. The event, open to the public, begins at 10 a.m.
Aquilina is recognized for his contributions to Catholic media, having authored over 50 books on Church history and early Church Fathers. His work has been featured on platforms such as EWTN and Catholic radio. He is noted for making complex historical topics accessible to modern audiences.
His presentation will discuss how early Christianity altered societal norms in the Greco-Roman world, especially regarding family dynamics. In a society where divorce, abortion, contraception, and infanticide were common, Christianity introduced new perspectives on marriage and family life.
Dr. Joseph Stuart from the University of Mary expressed enthusiasm about hosting Aquilina. “Michael Aquilina is one of the foremost voices in Catholic scholarship today, and we are thrilled to host him on campus for this important and timely conversation,” he said. Stuart highlighted the importance of understanding how early Christianity impacted society by elevating women's status and protecting children's dignity.
Stuart also remarked on the Roman family's decline during Christianity's spread. “When Christianity began to spread, the Roman family was in steep decline," he stated. "Divorce was rampant, as were abortion, contraception, and infanticide... Christianity offered a radical new way." He emphasized that while it couldn't save the Roman Empire, it helped preserve family structures.
Alerts Sign-up