February 2007

On Campus

Catholic in Today’s World

What does it mean to be Catholic in the 21st century? Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse Jerome Listecki and Monsignor Bernard McGarty, Viterbo’s visiting scholar in ecumenical studies, discussed that very question at their “Exploring Catholic Identity” presentation in the Fine Arts Center in November. Over 400 people were in attendance.

“In the 40 years since Vatican II, the Catholic Church has experienced monumental changes in its understanding of its role in the modern world,” Msgr. McGarty said. “Yet church teaching says the church is the same institution founded by Christ 2,000 years ago. How does one reconcile the two tensions? The lecture was designed to answer this question.”

The subject of understanding Catholic identity was one of Bishop Listecki’s stated goals when he was appointed to his post.

Pictured: Bishop Jerome Listecki