Interfaith Legacy of Thomas Merton Discussed, Honored at Campus Event
As part of a citywide celebration, Duquesne is hosting a special event to honor Thomas Merton and his legacy of unity and spirituality.
Thomas Merton’s Interfaith Legacy for the 21st Century, an interfaith panel and roundtable discussion developed to commemorate Merton’s birth and delve into his ongoing impact across the boundaries of religions and cultures, will be held on Friday, April 24, at 7 p.m. in the Simon Silverman Phenomenology Center on the first floor of Gumberg Library
Sponsored by the Department of Theology and the Division of Mission and Identity, the event is one of several in Pittsburgh being held in collaboration with The Thomas Merton Center’s commemoration of Merton’s 100th birthday.
“Thomas Merton remains critically important as one who forged new directions in Catholic spirituality, peace and justice concerns, and the call to personal and communal authenticity in changing times,” said Dr. Maureen O’Brien, chair of the theology department. “Our speakers will emphasize how Merton’s studies, voluminous correspondence with other leading figures and extensive publications helped to pave the way for interfaith dialogue and understanding.”
The speakers and their topics for the event include:
- Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue: Abraham Heschel and Merton, Side by Side
Rabbi Arthur Donsky, Rabbi without Walls, Pittsburgh - Merton: A Contemplative Spirituality for a Complex, Stressed-Out Culture
The Rev. Eugene Lauer, S.T.D., Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh - Zen and the Theosophic Mysticism of Thomas Merton
The Rev. Sebastian Madathummuriyil, assistant professor of theology Duquesne University - Cistercian Hesychasm: The Influence of Eastern Orthodox Contemplative Mysticism on Merton
Dr. Kevin Mongrain, associate professor of Newman studies, Duquesne University.
“We are very pleased to have this opportunity to bring four fine scholars together who can ‘set the table’ for an engaging discussion of Merton’s impact on interfaith concerns in our times,” said O’Brien.
As part of the event, the Silverman Center will provide a display of some archived Merton correspondence, and Pittsburgh’s Thomas Merton Center will offer books by Merton for sale.
Thomas Merton’s Interfaith Legacy for the 21st Century is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the theology department at 412.396.6530.