COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Two Holy Name friars will be the featured speakers at the Eighth Annual Franciscan Forum, held June 19-22 here, sponsored by St. Bonaventure University’s Franciscan Institute.
“The Franciscan Forum VIII: Mirroring One Another, Reflecting the Divine: The Franciscan-Muslim Journey into God,” focuses on Franciscan-Muslim dialog, and will explore the topic through the lens of Christian mysticism and Sufism. The image of a large mirror will frame the conference, where we find God and ourselves in new ways, according to Kim Carney of the Franciscan Institute.
The conference features Michael Calabria, OFM, lecturer at St. Bonaventure University; Michael Blastic, OFM, associate professor of the Franciscan Institute; Irfan Omar, assistant professor of theology at Marquette University; Paul Lachance, OFM, St. Joseph Province, Montreal; Yahya Hendi, Muslim chaplain at Georgetown University; Robert Lentz, OFM, icon artist; Adam Bunnell, OFM Conv., general delegate for ecumenism and inter-religious dialog for the Conventual Franciscans; Jan Hoeberichts, author; and Fatima Betul Cavdar, Ph.D. candidate in religious studies at Rice University.
Speakers To Discuss Interfaith Dialog
Each presentation will be mirrored by a response from other faith traditions, with interaction in small groups and with the presenter. Bunnell and Hendi — two speakers actively working in interfaith dialog — will close the forum by sharing their experiences in troubled, yet hopeful times.
“All will be framed by the Bonaventurean belief that we are all on a common journey, through different paths, into the same God,” according to Carney.
The Franciscan Institute is a leading center of teaching, research and publication on the Franciscan tradition in North America. Founded in 1941 by Philotheus Boehner, OFM, the institute has long been known internationally as a place for the finest in scholarly research on the Franciscan intellectual tradition, publishing the critical edition of the works of William of Ockham and, more recently, the philosophical works of John Duns Scotus.
Registration is $300. Room fees range from $50 to $75. Register before April 25. For more information or to register for this event, contact Carney, 716-375-2595, or kcarney@sbu.edu.