College of Arts and Sciences

Understanding the Catholic Church in China  

Picture of Robert E. CarbonneauThe Catholic Studies Program in Collaboration with the New Jersey Catholic Historical Commission and the Asian Studies Program proudly presents: "Fr. Robert Carbonneau A Paradigm for Understanding the Catholic Church in China: Is Matteo Ricci, SJ Still a Model?"

The event will take place on Thursday, November 2 from 5-7 p.m. in the Beck Rooms (Walsh Library). The event is free and open to the public.

Jesuit priest missionary to China Matteo Ricci (1552-1610) is still respected in China and throughput the world because he advocated friendship and Gospel principles. After a brief survey of the Ricci era Fr. Carbonneau will offer insight on the contemporary Catholic Church in China and relations with the Holy See.

Robert E. Carbonneau, C.P. is a Roman Catholic priest in the Passionist Congregation. A member of St. Paul of the Cross Province (eastern U.S) he is their historian. He received a Ph.D. in American and East Asian History from Georgetown University. Research, study and publications have concentrated on the Passionist missionaries in twentieth century Hunan, China. He has taught Chinese, Japanese, World and Catholic mission history as well as U.S. history in various American universities and graduate schools and published in numerous international journals. From 2007 to 2008, he worked as a foreign expert in Chongqing at Sichuan International Studies University. He was an Archival Specialist at the Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Culture, San Francisco from 2012 to 2015 where he worked with a team to digitize the Passionist China Collection of some 10,000 photos and 60,000 documents. Presently he serves as Executive Director of the U.S. Catholic China Bureau, Berkeley, California.

About the Catholic Studies Program:
The Catholic Studies Program at Seton Hall University offers an innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum for students of any creed who are interested in deepening their knowledge of Catholicism's rich intellectual tradition and living heritage. Combining the study of history, philosophy, theology, literature, art, sociology, and other disciplines, Catholic Studies focuses on the church's dialogue with culture and encounter with the world. Students interested in Catholic Studies have the option to pursue a major, minor, or certificate that complements and enhances the university's other degree programs and fields of study.

For more information, please contact Dr. Ines Murzaku at [email protected] or (973) 275-2808 Gloria Aroneo at [email protected] or (973) 275-2808.

About the New Jersey Catholic Historical Commission: 
The New Jersey Catholic Historical Commission (NJCHC) [founded in 1976, and formerly known as the New Jersey Catholic Historical Records Commission] is a specially appointed board sponsored by the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey and Seton Hall University with its administrative offices within the Archives and Special Collections Center. The objective of this Commission is to collect, preserve and publish works related to the New Jersey Catholic history experience. Each year the NJCHC sponsors educational seminars on topical issues that highlight important aspects of Catholic history and works to support various projects in line with its ongoing mission of scholarship and public awareness.