Aquinas Center Conference a "great success"

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Published on Sunday, 08 February 2009 18:57

Matthew Levering was still sporting a broad smile Sunday morning after the conclusion of a three-day ecumenical conference that drew scholars and theologians from around the United States and abroad. The conference was jointly sponsored by the Aquinas Center for Theological Renewal, which Dr. Levering heads at Ave Maria, and the AMU graduate programs in Theology.

"It was a great conference," Dr. Levering said, "and the participants all loved it."

For many who attended, it was their first visit to Ave Maria. "They were all highly impressed with the university, the town and the faith community," said Dr. Levering. "They all want to work here."

The annual conference alternates themes each year with one year focusing on St. Thomas Aquinas and alternate years exploring other Catholic topics. Last year, the topic was Humanae Vitae 40 years later and next year it will be on Catholicism in America -- challenges and prospects, according to Father Matthew Lamb, dean of the graduate theology department at AMU.

The keynote address was given by Robert Louis Wilken of the University of Virginia, author of several books including The Spirit of Early Christian Thought. At left, Dr. Levering (at lectern) prepares to present Dr. Wilken with AMU's Veritas Medal before his talk. The closing lecture was delivered by Michael Waldstein, the Max Seckler Professor of Theology at AMU.