Jewish-Catholic theological series at Providence College

Providence College will host a two-day series of theological exchanges on April 4-5.  The series, “Theological Reflections on Catholic-Jewish Relations Fifty Years after Nostra Aetate,” is sponsored by the theology department, the graduate program in theology, The Center for Catholic & Dominican Studies, the Office of Institutional Diversity, and the Development of Western Civilization Program.

Nostra aetate, Latin for “in our time,” is the name given to the Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions, which was developed by the Second Vatican Council.  The council,  which ran from 1962 to 1965,  addressed relations between Roman Catholics and the rest of the world, as well as many other topics.

The first public event, at 7 p.m. on April 4 in Aquinas Lounge, focuses on “recent Catholic and Jewish statements, their theological implications, and the current state of affairs in Jewish-Catholic dialogue,” according to a publication from Providence College. The speakers are Philip Cunningham, a professor of theology at St. Joseph’s University and director of the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations, and Daniel Lehmann, president of Hebrew College and a professor of pluralism and Jewish education. 

The second day of the series, on April 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Barnini Room, lower Harkins, provides an open forum for faculty, staff, students and local clergy to discuss new Vatican and Jewish statements. Those who make a reservation will receive advance copies of readings that will be discussed.

RSVP for the second day at www.alumni.providence.edu/JCT, or 401-865-2274. For more information, contact Arthur Urbano of the Theology Department at aurbano@providence.edu.