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The Center for Catholic Studies

Faith in the Public Square

Cross against the sky, trees

Faith in the Public Square is an annual symposium hosted by the Seton Hall Center for Catholic Studies. It brings together the university community each fall to reflect on timely issues at the intersection of religious faith and our shared social and political life. It provides an opportunity to engage in the “conversatio civilis,” the learning, dialogue, and debate necessary for a community to grow and flourish.

The inaugural Faith in the Public Square Symposium was held in September 2020. Its topic was Faith and Racial Justice.

    Faith in the Public Square logo

Fall Symposium: Faith and Racial Justice (September 21-24, 2020)

Kelly Harris - Faith and Racial Justice Symposium

The keynote speaker for Day 1 of the Symposium is Kelly Harris, Ph.D., director of the Africana Studies program, Seton Hall University. His talk is titled "Racism and Racial Justice: Common Misconceptions, Better Answers."

Shawn Copeland, Ph.D. - Faith and Racial Justice Symposium

The keynote speaker for Day 2 of the Symposium is M. Shawn Copeland, Ph.D., Professor Emerita in the Department of Theology, Boston College. Her talk is titled "Historical and Structural Dimensions of Racism: Why a Person of Faith Should Care."

Gloria Purvis - Faith and Racial Justice Symposium

The keynote speaker for Day 3 of the Symposium is Gloria Purvis, host for the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). Her talk is titled "The Light of Faith: Judging that Racism Exists and That We Must Change."

Andrew Prevot - Faith and Racial Justice Symposium

The keynote speaker for Day 4 of the Symposium is Andrew Prevot, Ph.D., assistant professor of systematic theology, Boston College*. His talk is titled "Deciding How to Change When the World Won’t."