Balancing Religious Beliefs with the Common Good
Anna Maria College to Host Symposium on “Faith and the Public Square”Victoria Reggie Kennedy will be the Keynote Speaker Congressman James P. McGovern will serve on a Panel
Newswise — Anna Maria College announces that Victoria Reggie Kennedy and Congressman James P. McGovern will participate in its fall Symposium: Faith and the Public Square: Balancing Religious Beliefs with the Common Good to be held on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fuller Activities Center on the AMC Paxton campus. Mrs. Kennedy will present a keynote address regarding the challenges of engaging in the complex issues of the day while maintaining a commitment to personal religious beliefs. Her address will be followed by a panel discussion that will include Congressman James McGovern. Also scheduled to participate are Reverend Andrew Genszler, Director of Advocacy for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; Reverend Richard Reidy, Canon Lawyer and Pastor of St. Anne’s Church in North Oxford; and Dr. Maria Teresa Davila, Assistant Professor of Ethics at Andover Newton Theological School. David P. Forsberg, recently retired President of the Worcester Business Development Corporation and current interim director of Lutheran Social Services will serve as facilitator.
“We are extremely pleased that Mrs. Kennedy has agreed to join Anna Maria College as we consider the important issues of practicing both our faith and our commitment to the Common Good in today’s global society,” comments Jack P. Calareso, Ph.D., President of AMC. “I have no doubt that her insights and those of our respected panelists will provide interesting and thoughtful dialogue, particularly during this important election year.”
"I'm pleased to accept the invitation by Anna Maria College to participate with Congressman Jim McGovern, Reverend Andrew Genszler, Reverend Richard Reidy and Dr. Maria Teresa Davila in this important symposium. This forum is timely and relevant, particularly during this final stretch of the election season with the political focus and continuing debate on health care reform and budgetary cuts," Mrs. Kennedy said. "This symposium will provide a place for an energetic discussion of the role of faith in the public square."
“I’m honored to be returning to Anna Maria College, and I look forward to an interesting discussion. I’m especially pleased to be joining my friend Vicki Kennedy,” shares Congressman James McGovern.
Following the keynote and panel discussion, Mrs. Kennedy will meet with students in Anna Maria College’s Honors Program to engage in additional dialogue and discussion. This Symposium is being held in keeping with the College’s commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition and its long history of inviting open dialogue about the critical issues of the day. On September, 20, 2012, AMC hosted an Academic Convocation featuring Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of the Boston, MA Archdiocese.
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