The Australian Catholic University (ACU) Centre for Liturgy will host the President of the Catholic Theological Union, Rev Prof Mark R. Francis CSV in a free online public lecture broadcast live from Chicago, USA on Monday July 20 via Zoom: “The Challenge of Intercultural Liturgy in the Era of Pope Francis.”
The ACU Centre for Liturgy has mobilised during this time of global pandemic to offer this free public lecture via a live virtual platform to connect those interested in liturgy to the worldwide scholarly conversation because face to face gatherings are impossible. The online platform opens up the lecture to a national audience.
Professor Francis is world-renowned for his scholarship on the relationship between liturgy and culture. Interest in this important reciprocal interaction has been revived under the pontificate of Pope Francis and in his lecture, Professor Francis will bring a unique and valuable perspective to the latest developments in this area of Church life. He is the author of Local Worship Global Church: Popular Religion and the Liturgy and Shape a Circle Ever Wider: Inculturating the Liturgy in the United States.
In July, Professor Francis will also teach a free online, one-time-only special studies unit in Liturgical Inculturation through the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy in collaboration with the ACU Centre for Liturgy on 6, 7, 9, 10 July.
The unit is offered at postgraduate level for students enrolled in Masters or Graduate Certificate programs in theology and religious education. Professor Francis’s live lectures will also be available as a Professional Learning Seminar for liturgists, clergy, pastoral associates, Catholic school teachers, and all who have an interest in the fascinating and pastorally relevant topic of liturgical inculturation. Professional learners will participate in lectures and discussions but will not undertake assessment tasks.
Teachers who participate can apply for professional development hours at the Proficient level in most states and territories, making this Professional Learning Seminar one of the most widely-accredited ACU offerings ever.
Mark Francis, MDiv, MA, SLD was ordained in 1982 and served for three years as chaplain and formation director in Bogotá Colombia. He served on the revision/translation subcommittee of ICEL from 1992–2000, and from 2000–2012 he served as international superior of the Viatorians. He is the current President of Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, a position he has held since 2013. He has published extensively on liturgical topics with a special focus on the relationship between liturgy and culture. Professor Francis was to visit Australia to lead these learning opportunities in person. While the COVID-19 pandemic has made this visit impossible, Fr Francis has kindly consented to visit us virtually.
Event: ACU Centre for Liturgy Presents: Rev Prof Mark R. Francis CSV “The Challenge of Intercultural Liturgy in the Era of Pope Francis” (free online public lecture)
Date: Monday July 20 from 10-11.30am (AEST) via Zoom
Registration is essential by 15 July 2020. Register here.
The flyer can be downloaded here.
Please email the ACU Centre for Liturgy at CentreforLiturgy@acu.edu.au with any questions or for further information.
With thanks to ACU.
