Fall 2021 Campus Update
Posted by ICTC on Monday, September 27, 2021 at 2:43 PM PDT
2021-22 Theme: Globalization, Spirituality and Justice
The spirit of our God is upon me; anointing me and sending me to bring glad tidings for the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and release to prisoners. To announce a year of favor from our God. -- Luke 4:18
When Jesus spoke these words, he identified himself within the tradition of the great Hebrew prophets whose twofold task was to both denounce (injustice) and to announce (a new way of being in the world). This movement that we trace back to Jesus is echoed throughout the tradition and in the documents of Vatican II as well as other reform movements. All of which speaks to us of new ways of relating, expanding our epistemological postures, and offering new understandings of power. The Catholic Church's social justice teachings are rooted in the life of Jesus and in this prophetic tradition of denouncing and announcing.
A vision of justice is an integral part of Christian spirituality. Foundational to the understanding of spirituality and justice is authentic relationships; relationship with the Creator, relationship to one another, relationship to the earth, and relationship to self. In our complex and globalized world where we witness so many imbalances, divisions, and injustices, ICTC enters its second year on the theme of Globalization, Spirituality and Justice.
Under this broad theme we will explore how we might encourage more inter-dependent global partnerships, non-violent processes for dismantling structures and systems that stifle the flourishing of humanity, and spiritual practices to sustain us in the work of justice. We know that we may never see the fruits of our work and so we are challenged to create ways to nurture these visions and collaborative commitments for a more humane and just world.
This year ICTC places a special emphasis on three multivalent themes: the retrieval and review of the vision and implications of Vatican II; Synodality, or deep listening; and Women’s ministerial collaboration with the Jesuits and the larger Church. See the details below for fall ICTC programs and please sign up for our ICTC newsletter to receive event updates and announcements.
Best wishes for the new academic year,
Dr. Jeanette Rodriguez, ICTC Director, and Jessica Palmer, ICTC Assistant Director