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 is set to host its annual Saint Hildegard Lecture on January 27, 2025. The event will feature Dr. Russell Hittinger, a noted Catholic scholar and expert in Catholic social thought. His lecture, titled "What is a Social Encyclical?" will commence at 10 a.m. in Founders Hall at the Lumen Vitae University Center on campus. Attendance is free for both the public and media.
Organized by the University's Catholic Studies program, the Saint Hildegard Lecture stands out as a key event of the academic year. Dr. Hittinger's presentation will focus on two paradigms within Catholic social thought, addressing contemporary interpretations often categorized as "right" and "left" Catholicism. He aims to shed light on the "social" ontology present in Catholic Social Teaching and its role in defending human dignity.
Dr. Sonya Veck, associate professor of English and Catholic Studies at the University of Mary, expressed enthusiasm about Dr. Hittinger's participation: “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Russell Hittinger, one of the most significant Catholic thinkers of our time.” She added that his lecture aligns with themes from his recent book, "On the Dignity of Society," published by CUA Press in December 2024.
Dr. Hittinger holds positions as executive director of the Institute for Human Ecology and research professor at The Catholic University of America's School of Philosophy. His academic career includes teaching roles at Princeton, Fordham, and the University of Chicago. He has also contributed to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and St. Thomas Aquinas Academy.
The Saint Hildegard Lecture pays tribute to its namesake—a Benedictine abbess known for integrating faith, reason, and beauty—reflecting core values upheld by the University's Catholic Studies program.
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