Catholicism in the Modern World

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD INTERNATIONALES THEOLOGISCHES INSTITUT ConsortioSUMMER 2017 The Role of Faith in Lawmaking The Attitude of the Lawmaker

n a society where it is generally held Ithat Church and State should be sepa- rated, as this is one of the core principles “When states- of a secular democracy, it is easy to confuse this –willingly or un- men forsake their willingly – with the idea that faith own private con- should be banned entirely from science for the public discourse and that legisla- sake of their pub- tors should leave their personal faith and convictions in the cloak- lic duties, they room of their parliamentary build- lead their country ing. But this conception of the by a short route responsibility of the individual to chaos.” law maker is misguided and unfor- tunately widespread. Already the great politician and Saint of the sixteenth century, St. Thomas More, was aware of this dangerous trap every Christian in

politics faces: continued on page 2 Saint Thomas More by Hans Holbien the Younger

Inside The Role of Faith in Law making Catholicism in the Modern Graduation photo show Graduates profiles World – Joint conference of the Alumni news

20 Years of the ITI ITI and the Napa Institute

The Most important Person n the last week of April the ITI hosted the Napa Institute’s European conference. The four day conference dealt with the theme of Catholicism in Our Modern World Faculty publications I and consisted of talks, faith formation, and cultural excursions. Speakers included our ITI – Napa Institute event Grand Chancellor, Cardinal Schönborn, alumna Dr Gudrun Kugler, and the American Prayer of Cardinal public intellectual George Weigel. continued on page 5 Newman

Consortio 1

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD The Role of Faith in Lawmaking continued from page 1

“When statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties, they lead their country by a short route to chaos.”

This chaos we see all around us today, in our own countries, and “There is a on the world God, and you stage – because are not Him.” politicians (and many others in positions of authority) either Cicero’s Oration against Catiline have no well-formed conscience or they decide – for fear or political expediency – and possibilities are at stake, this danger is not to act according to their conscience and especially great, even more so when there is faith-inspired convictions. the desire to be reelected at all costs.

So here today I would first like to speak This sense of humility before God and His about the necessary attitude of the lawmak- law first – always superseding the laws we er, especially the one that calls himself/her- humans make, is well expressed in Psalm self a Catholic and a Christian. 119 – it is by far the longest Psalm, with 76 verses – a prayer that praises the importance The first attitude is that of willing to be a sign of keeping the divinely revealed law. The first of contradiction as Christ himself calls us strophe of this “Psalm of Law” says: to be – we are in this world and not of this world and thus have much higher standards, 1 Happy are they whose way is blameless, many of which are scandalous in the eyes who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 of the world. Examples are: marital fidelity, Happy are they who observe his decrees, openness to life versus abortion and the who seek him with all their heart, 3 Catholic understanding of love and sexuality. and do not wrong, but walk in his ways! 4 You have commanded that your precepts The second attitude is that of great humility be diligently kept. 5 under our God the Father, the Creator of the Oh, that I might be firm in the ways world we find ourselves in every day. There of keeping your statutes! 6 is the well-known mantra I learned as a teen- Then should I not be put to shame, ager in Catechesis: “There is a God, and you when I beheld all your commands. 7 are not Him.”. I will give you thanks with an upright heart, when I have heard your just And here is exactly where we humans so ordinances. 8 often go wrong, thinking or acting as if we I will keep your statutes; were God – in politics, where often power do not utterly forsake me!

2 Summer 2017

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD In summary: walk in the way of the Lord (his from your great cultures and traditions. The law) with an upright heart (integrity) and do great English writer C.S. Lewis, in his book what is just (justice). What a powerful mission The Abolition of Man did in fact list a series statement for a Christian in public office! of ancient sayings from pre-Christian writers of very diverse African, Asian and This brings me to the third attitude, which Australian cultures that all recognize God alone is directly guides law making, God is: this higher order. So who are we to the Measure of not recognize it either? all things, not The Measure of All Things the lawmaker. It And finally, to conclude this point on requires faith to Now, you might think – this is all very nicely the Measure of all things, something said, but only applicable in a limited way more from Cicero: accept this truth. because this is merely a Christian concept. In fact, it is not – it is a universal concept of “For the universe obeys God; seas and the created order and embraced by practi- lands obey the universe, and human life is cally every culture or religion – except the subject to the decrees of Supreme law.” materialistic relativist elites of the West, who are simply ignorant and blinded by the ideol- Thus, God alone is the measure of all things, ogy of progress and choice. Let us look at not the lawmaker. It requires faith to accept some important thinkers of human history this truth. who were not Christians, to prove our point that indeed it is inscribed in Man’s nature From the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, it can to accept God as the ultimate Measure of all be derived clearly that the Kenyan people ac- things: knowledge God as the Measure of all things, where it says in the first and second line of The great philosopher Plato, in his extensive the Preamble: work on The Laws written in the fourth century before the birth of Christ, says: “We the people of Kenya – Acknowledging the supremacy of the Almighty God of all “In our view it is God who is pre-eminent- creation.” ly the ‘measure of all things’, much more so than any ‘man’ as they say.” and at the end of the Preamble I love this:

So you see, already Plato saw the need to say “God bless Kenya” the obvious in the face of men themselves wanting to be the measure of all things. The 2013 Zimbabwean Constitution has similar words in its Preamble, whereas the Another great thinker in the history of hu- Malawian and Ugandan constitutions do not mankind, the Roman jurist and politician directly have such referrals. Cicero, wrote in his work The Laws in the first century before Christ: The Four Kinds of Law

“We have to obey the celestial system of Now that we have ascertained that for law- the God of the transcendent power.” makers, like for every human being, God is the Measure of all things – we have to look Now I am not well versed at all in great Af- now how this will work in the practice of rican thinkers of the pre-Christian ages, but lawmaking. knowing that God has instilled our Nature as human beings with certain truths, I am sure The great Saint and Doctor of the Church, you would be able to quote me examples St. Thomas Aquinas, in his work the Summa

Consortio 3

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD Theologica describes four kinds of law: particular determination of certain mat- ters” – where the natural law provides the First, there is the Eternal law: foundational principles rooted in the eternal – unchangeable – law, the human law As Christians we believe that our God is a God “proceeds from principles to conclusions” of reason, which means he acts according to in specific cases that need detailed regula- reason that is attainable for us humans. For tion. For example, the Natural law prescribes example, God would never do what is evil or that marriage is between one man and one act against his own commandments. The God- woman – an unchangeable principle rooted the-Father became man versus the remote in God’s eternal law – , and now the human King and Lord. law stipulates the practical consequences of this principle. Thus, as St. Thomas says (Q. 91), “the whole community of the universe is governed by This means that a human law that violates Divine Reason.” these principles – like the laws in many coun- Our God is a God tries in the West on allowing gay couples And since the Divine is not sub- to “marry” – are in fact contrary to God’s of reason, which ject to time but in fact eternal, we law, therefore unjust, and in the words of St. means he acts ac- speak of this Divine Reason that Augustine “not a law at all”. Citizens are thus cording to reason governs our universe as the “Eter- not bound by such laws, since they are un- that is attainable nal law”, the distinction between just. Again, the great Doctor of the Church, St. good and evil being the most im- Thomas Aquinas, has an important warning for us humans. portant of the law. The Eternal law for us lest we think that mere human reason For example, God is “ordained by God to the govern- can change principles of nature, which our would never do ment of things foreknown by Him.” relativist friends seem to want to do: what is evil or act Second, there is the Natural law: “Human reason is not, of itself, the rule against his own of things: but the principles impressed commandments. The Natural law is the participa- on it by nature, are general rules and tion of us human beings, through measures of all things relating to human reason, in the eternal law; or as St. Paul says it, conduct (…).” it is God’s law written in our heart and thus accessible and understandable for us. “Natu- The human law is therefore bound to human ral reason, whereby we discern what is good nature. and what is evil, which is the function of the natural law, is nothing else than an imprint Fourth, the Divine law: on us of the Divine light.”, says St. Thomas. Or to put it in the words of the great Ro- One could easily ask the question why, after man jurist Cicero: “Law is the highest reason, the three sources of law just discussed, we implanted in Nature, which commands what would still need a Divine law? ought to be done and forbids the opposite.” St. Thomas explains that in spite of natural Through natural law we can discern between and human law, we need Divine law because good and evil in the realities of life; for ex- the former cannot sufficientlydirect our in- ample, that the innocent not be killed, or that terior acts, or punish or forbid all that is evil we do not steal or that corruption is wrong. – this is the reason why we have the 10 commandments and that which Christ presents Third, there is the human law: us in the Gospels, for example Jesus telling us men that even when we “only” look with The human law, St. Thomas says, is the “more lustful eyes at another woman, we already

4 Summer 2017

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD society – as we see all around us – rather than to seek objective justice.

An example: The ongoing debate internationally on the perceived “right to abortion”, and the scandalous way in which Western donor countries are trying to force this upon African nations, completely leaves out the objective norm of justice. The one-sided “right to choose” of a woman to have an abortion, argued as a matter of “justice,” completely ignores the fundamental idea of justice that Aristotle already understood, namely that it gives each person its due – in the case of abortion, there can never be objective justice, because the right of the innocent, voiceless, human being is completely ignored, simply credits: http://www.hdwallpapers.in/united_states_capitol- wallpapers.html killed “safely” instead (“safe abortion”, as if the killing of an Lawmaking is, before U.S. Capitol innocent human being could we even speak about ever be a “safe procedure”). commit the sin of adultery. parliamentary majorities and politics, first Recently, a friend of ours, Obi- As you see, lawmaking is, before we even anuju Ekeocha from Nigeria of all the discernment speak about parliamentary majorities and and President of Culture of Life of core principles – politics, first of all thediscernment of core Africa, put it very well when principles – especially for those of us that especially for those she presented a video expos- call themselves followers of Christ. Africa of us that call them- ing the aggressive promotion should not fall for the same error much of of abortion by Western donor selves followers of the West has fallen into: to consider law - countries in Africa, although Christ. making merely a matter of majority – making over eighty percent of Africans and political deal – making. oppose this killing practice. Uju, well aware of what justice entails, says: The Principle of Justice “What is actually most disheartening is When we speak about justice, or seek justice, that these Western countries have not there is a fundamental principle we have to even thought of asking the Africans what obey always, since often we fall into the trap they want!” of what I call the “totalitarianism of feelings”. Already Cicero recognized that right is not Here we see a clear example of the distor- based on Man’s opinions, but upon Nature. tion of justice: outside powers are putting pressure to kill innocent human life, which “Nature is the source of Justice.” in itself is bad enough, and all the while they Here we come to one of the greatest chal- are not asking the women involved what it lenges of our times in legal and political is they think. The principle of justice, which discourse, where the relativistic idea has entails giving everyone his due, means in taken hold that there is no one truth and practice that it can never be just to kill an where subjectivity rather than objectivity innocent human life simply because an- decides on right and wrong. Yet this leads to other human being with more power has our passing feelings and preferences ruling the choice to do so – which is what abortion

Consortio 5

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD protagonists argue. If we would consistently unjust and thus not binding. follow that line of reasoning and act upon it, how bloody would our world be, even more So what are the criteria for a just law, what so than it is already today? is the principle of justice? St. Thomas Aquinas again: – A law is just when: Let us come back to the objective norm, the unchangeable principle of justice. Back 1. It is ordained to the common good, to St. Thomas Aquinas, who says (Q. 96, 4): the human good 2. It does not exceed the power of the “Laws formed by men are either just law giver, nor opposes Divine law or unjust. If they be just, they have the 3. It imposes proportionate burdens power of binding in conscience, from the eternal law whence they are de- The great Saints and lawyers of the Church rived …” – St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, St. Thomas More, are very clear on the conse- So, let us delve deeper into understand- quences of these principles of justice: ing how we can apply this principle of justice to the daily realities of law making. “A law that is not just, seems to be no First, no political authority, not even by law at all.” 1 majority vote or a court ruling, can impose an obligation on the citizen where And those laws of this kind, especially it is not already latent in the nature of against Divine law, must never be ob- things; this means, in the words of Cicero, served because Scripture tells us in the that “the nature of justice must be sought Acts of the Apostles (V,29): “We ought to in the Nature of Man.” obey God rather than man.” (St. Paul)..2

What does this mean? Let us come back The principle of justice then, is intrinsical- to our earlier example – as it is the defin- ly linked to the Divine law and the Natural ing issue of our times. It is in the Nature law and cannot oppose these. If they do, of Man to have the desire to procreate, no Catholic lawmaker can abide by such to form new life, and to cherish it – look laws. Examples are: life, marriage, family, at how we humans receive religious freedom. It is in the Nature the birth of a child! It is also of Man to have the in the nature, the reality of This concept of justice has existed desire to procre- our bodies, that we find the throughout the ages and has not changed signs of the created order: the either, because it is rooted in human ate, to form new woman’s body has a womb nature. One of the most important legal life, and to cherish and a most intricate and texts in human history, and still the basis it – look at how we perfect system to receive and for many legal systems around the world, humans receive the nurture life. Man and woman the Corpus Iuris Civilis, promulgated by each have their physical and the Roman Emperor Justinianus in the birth of a child! emotional contributions to year 533, and which covered a world em- human fertility. pire, including parts of Africa, says: “Justice is the constant and perpetual So any law that deals with the human will to render everyone his due” (…)” being has to reflect and respect this life- giving reality in order for it to be a just “The maxims of law are these: to live law that can bind us in conscience. Since honestly, to hurt no one, to give every- our nature as man and woman is life giv- one his due.” ing, any law that aims at life ending or life preventing in this realm is per definition

6 Summer 2017

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD The Role of the Catholic Lawmaker large crime. As my extensive historic research in the We return now to where we started – what area of crimes against humanity has shown is the role of the Catholic lawmaker today, overwhelmingly, the great atrocities and what should be his or her attitude, especially genocides of the twentieth century were not in a world of politics that is often so far dis- committed by the inhuman monsters we all tanced from the teaching of Christ – both in too often want to make ourselves believe lifestyle and policies? To answer this ques- were the sole perpetrators. No, they were tion, I would like to guide you through what mostly committed by ordinary men and I consider one of the most important texts women who actually believed they were do- written on law making today, by the great ing the right thing. For example, the Rwan- Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. It is a speech he dan genocide bears much resemblance to gave in the German parliament in Berlin on the Bosnian genocide – taking place around 22 September 2011. He says: the same time in Africa and Europe – in that the ordinary people doing the bloodletting “To serve right and to fight against the and cheered on by their political leaders dominion of wrong is and remains the felt perfectly justified to do so or at least fundamental task of the politician.” thought they had no other choice. Why?

This is why your role is first of all a vocation Because justice in and among the nations to serve justice rooted in God’s love and mercy. The battle cry of the Catholic politician therefore is:

“Deus lo vult” (“God wills it”)

He wants you to do your public duty guided by the Gospel virtues of faith, hope and love – to do justice and fight injustice with this trinity of virtues always guiding you. Let us explore this thought a little further; how is the Catho- lic lawmaker to proceed in today’s world of politics, national and international?

First, by living the virtues, the Gospel virtues (I already mentioned): faith, Pope Benedict XVI - credit: Austria Presse Agentur hope and love, and the virtue of justice – in every aspect of family, social and politi- can only exist when it is lived first and fore- cal life, whereby we strive to be one virtuous most as a daily personal virtue by all, from person in all areas of life. Pope Benedict the mighty politician to the simple farmer – calls this the unity of life in Christ, inform- each being capable to be a Saint or a perpe- ing all we do. Before true justice as a legal trator. As Christians, of course, we are called principle and reality can exist in our com- to be saints – whether a farmer or politician. munities, our nations, and in the world, it The virtue of justice thus requires from the first needs to be lived by each one of us in lawmaker the (other virtue) of courage to person everyday as a virtue that grows with always engage in proper discernment of practice and years. Justice has to become a his or her actions in light of what is objec- habit in us, enabling us to voluntarily, and tively the good that is sought or the evil to form our most inner heart, do good and op- be opposed. However, how does one attain pose evil – whether it be the small sin or the knowledge of the virtues? As we discussed

Consortio 7

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD before, and knowing nature and reason, that they are inher- which naturally pre- ent in human nature, supposes that both we have to, so to say, spheres are rooted bring them out into the in the creative rea- open – first through a son of God.” life in Christ and then through the constant In short, when we let formation of our nature and reason conscience, by prayer, speak, we let God study and discussion, speak, who himself allowing us to grow in Christiaan Alting von Geusau addressing the African chapter created it in us. God’s knowledge and under- of the International Catholic Legislators Network. order is thus not standing. imposed from the outside, but directs the human being from Second, by using our public office as Chris- his inner sanctuary3, from the heart, which tians to do what has been done by our is why justice needs to be lived as a virtue brethren before us – to humanize law. What first before it can be applied in law-making does it mean to humanize law? Here it is and lead to humanized laws. Also the Chris- important to look further back in history tian virtues of faith, hope and love (charity) because there we can see how Christianity need to be lived by each one of us first, in has been the constant force for humaniz- order that justice may be lived and applied. ing law. If we look at the stories in the Old Testament, we can see the reality of human The role of the Catholic lawmaker – the role laws and human traditions at work. For of faith in lawmaking, is thus first and fore- example, there is the account of Jesus refer- most a constant personal conversion, striving ring in the Gospel to the divorce practice to live a virtuous life every day in order that under Moses as a law only in place because our hearts and minds become aware of how of the harshness of people’s hearts - but that we should serve the Common Good and ad- God had willed this differently. Christ, in the minister justice and charity. Again, in conclu- area of marriage law, brought a humaniza- sion; Benedict XVI: tion by establishing the sacra- Because justice in mental marriage between a man “there is ultimately nothing else we could and among the na- and a woman to last for life. This wish for but a listening heart, the capac- tions can only exist underpins laws on marriage ity to discern between good and evil, and when it is lived first around the world still today – thus to establish true law, to serve justice and foremost as a despite many efforts to undo it. and peace.” What Catholics can and should daily personal vir- do in elected office is what Je- This talk was given by Christiaan Alting von Geusau at the occasion of the founding of the African Chapter of the International Catholic tue by all, from the sus did: to humanize man-made Legislators Network (ICLN), Nairobi, 9 March 2017. Dr. Christiaan mighty politician to laws by bringing them in syn- Alting von Geusau is Rector of the ITI, President of the ICLN and the simple farmer – ergy with the Natural law, which professor of law and Christian education. is in fact a moral law reflecting each being capable God’s plan with humanity. Here Notes to be a Saint or a Pope Benedict says: 1. Saint Augustine, On Free Choice of Will, translated by Benjamin and Hackstaff, New York/London 1964, p. 11 perpetrator. 2. Thomas Aquinas, Treatise on Law (Summa Theologica, “Unlike other great religions, Questions 90-97), Regnery Gateway, Washington D.C. Christianity has never proposed a re- 1991, Q 96,4, pp. 96-97 vealed law to the State and to society, 3. F.A.M Alting von Geusau, Neither Justice Nor Order, Wolf that is to say a juridical order derived Legal Publishers, Oisterwijk 2015, p. 27 from revelation. Instead, it has pointed to

8 Summer 2017

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD Catholicism in the Modern World continued from page 1 The many talks highlighted challenges to Manuel Baghdi the faith and ways in which these chal- and Kent Hill lenges are and can be met. The talks and spoke on how cultural trips emphasized the foundational the influx and and nourishing nature of the faith on West- influences of ern culture. non-Christian thought and In the keynote speech, His Eminence, culture poses its Cardinal Schönborn, spoke of the beautiful own challenges. resource we have at our disposal in the Cat- © VisualGrace - Kate Capato echism. Knowledge of the Church’s teach- Our President, ing is an essential part of a well formed Dr. Christiaan George Weigel faith. His Eminence argued that the Cat- Alting von Ge- echism is not a text of theological opinion usau, addressed or speculative enquiry but is the Church’s the conference considered teaching. He spoke about the on the question context of the Catechism, and his own “Human Rights: role alongside that of the then Cardinal Principles or Ratzinger in its production. He noted that Preferences?” knowledge of the tenants and teachings He unpacked of the faith is, however, not the first step the, often ob- towards faith. This can only come from the scured, mean- personal encounter of God which engen- ing of “equality” © VisualGrace - Kate Capato ders an attitude of faith. Once this attitude and showed that Cardinal Christoph Schönborn and Timothy R. Busch is present we have the duty to become rights based informed – and it is the Cathechism which on preferences lead to barbarism and the puts us on the right footing, clarifying the support not of the weak but of the politi- foundations. cally strong who are able to impose their own grammar of preference and thus self- George Weigel followed the Cardinal serving laws. He spoke of “human rights” and argued that ‘the Church must redis- as acting for the common good and being cover itself as a missionary enterprise’ and “conducive to the dignity of the individual prompted us that our baptism is a commis- human being.” sion and that we should all remember our Knowledge of the baptism date and celebrate it annually, as a The conference participants Church’s teaching reminder of our commission by Christ. went on cultural excursions to the abbeys of Heilgenkreuz and is an essential part Father Federico Colautti, an Argentinian Melk. They also had tours of the of a well formed priest and professor at the ITI, unpacked Schönbrunn Palace, and both faith.… the Cat- Pope Francis’ thought, seeing in it four the Kunsthistorisches Museum echism is not a text core principles: the priorities of time over and Albertina. They were able to space, of unity over conflict, of reality over join the whole ITI community of theological opin- ideas, and the principle of the whole being for the Divine Liturgy, celebrat- ion or speculative greater than its parts. ed by Bishop Borys Gudziak. enquiry but is the Church’s consid- Gudrun Kugler and Paul Coleman empha- All the lectures may be obtained sised how the Christian grounding to our in print and will be made avail- ered teaching… culture, society, and law is under attack able in audio or video through in the political and legal spheres whilst our website and YouTube Channel

Consortio 9

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD Graduation 2017

From left – clockwise: ITI graduate and Deacon Slava Sinitsin carries the Gospel at the graduation Mass, graduates, family and friends in the new Allan and Radwan Riley Hall, the student quartet, ITI Chaplain Fr. Juraj Terek takes the oath of fidelity from the graduates, graduates standing for the profession of faith, Fr. Johannes Cornides receives his doctoral degree from Cardinal Schönborn, ITI Grand Chancellor with Rector, Dean, faculty and graduates in front of the ITI main building, Studium Generale gradutes process to the Hall for the

10 Summer 2017

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD Graduation 2017

graduation ceremony, procession from the parish church of Trumau to Schloss Trumau, Cardinal Schönborn hands STM graduate Zbigniew Zdziarski from Australia his degree, Yunli Pan receives his MMF degree, Cardinal Schönborn presents Miriam Aschenbrenner with her Studium Generale certificate, Studium generale graduates, Grand Chancellor Cardinal Schönborn addresses faculty, graduates, students and guests.

Consortio 11

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD 2017 Graduate Profiles he ITI was founded by Pope Saint John Master in Theology Program (STM) TPaul II in 1996 to be a formation center for future leaders in Church and society. Our Martin Bürger, from Germany 2017 graduates are an inspiring example of Upon leaving school, Martin how their studies at the ITI prepare them studied Law and Political Science, for indeed playing such a vital role in the before his “thirst for truth” led world as joyful Christians. Below you will him to apply for studies at the ITI. find their personal stories and future plans Martin first entered the Studium as they go out into the world: Generale program and graduated from there six years ago, before entering the STM pro- Doctoral Program in Theology (STD) gram, which he completed with great success. Martin’s thesis was a study of the Good Friday Fr. Johannes Cornides, Austria liturgy in the ordinary and extraordinary forms Fr. Johannes will continue his of the Roman Rite. His time at the ITI culmi- service as a priest of the Com- nates in a happy crescendo, as he married his munity of the Beatitudes and fiancée and fellow graduate Galilee Riggio two parish priest of the Maria days after graduation. Langegg shrine in Lower Austria. Sean McGee, from Ireland Licentiate in Theology Program (STL) Sean studied and worked in the area of finance before coming Alexander Dul’a, Slovakia to the ITI, whereupon he Deacon Alexander came to entered our MMF program, the ITI to study theology on a graduating four years ago. His deeper level and to study desire to study St Thomas Aquinas led him Theology of the Body. This to enter the STM program, which he has summer he will help paint a completed with a thesis on the Kingship of chapel in a family crisis center in Slovakia Christ over Church and State. Sean now and afterwards help to begin a mission for plans to return to his native Ireland where Slovak Greek Catholics in his home coun- he will continue working in Finance and try. Accounting whilst volunteering in a parish.

Rev. Mykhaylo Plets, Ukraine Josip Vrsaljko, Croatia. Father Plets spent five years as Josip chose to study at the ITI in a parish priest in a village in light of the source-based and Ukraine. He came to the ITI to pedagogical seminar method of gain experience and further the institute (his prior theological his education. He plans to studies were based upon second- continue research in pastoral theology ary sources). He now plans to enrol in the and doing pastoral work for the good of systematic theology doctoral program at the the Church. University of Zagreb, Croatia, whilst working as an assistant at the University of Zadar in its at Theological-Catechetical department. He will also help run the family business of producing wine and olive oil. Josip’s thesis was a study of the Church as Christ’s Body and Bride.

12 Summer 2017

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD Indre Zapolskyte, Lithuania. mates and plans to be a religion teacher in Indre graduated from the MMF Lithuania. program before entering the STM program five years ago. Indre’s Magdalena Kopkasova, Slovakia future plans have been expressed Magdalena lived and worked at a by her in her own words: “I am retreat house for families where planning to work as a catechist and a religion she supported the facilitation of teacher in Vilnius, the capital of my homeland. retreats and was responsible for In that way I am hoping to share what I have a ministry supporting divorced learned and experienced at the ITI and to Catholics in Slovakia, including developing a contribute to the spread of knowledge of and webpage. She came to the ITI to deepen her love for God, which, as I am firmly convinced, knowledge about marriage and family so she is what opens the doors to true happiness of will be better able to continue her ministry to man and fulfils his deepest desires. I wish to married couples, families, and those who share the joy of life in God with others so that experience divorce. She is relishing her time they may find complete joy in Him as well.” as a new mom of Esther and will continue her Indre wrote her thesis on the way in which the maternity leave. At the ITI, she enjoyed living supernatural love of charity presupposes and together as a community and the seminar perfects natural love, according to St Thomas method of teaching, which gave the opportu- Aquinas. nity to read and discuss Sacred Scripture and direct teachings of the Catholic Church. Zbigniew Zdziarski, Australia. Zbigniew (‘Ziggy’) came to the Pavol Kuljovsky, Slovakia ITI with a doctorate in computer Prior to the ITI, Pavol studied law science and pursued theological and worked as a lawyer for two studies at the ITI due to his desire years at the Ministry of Justice of to study especially the writings of the Slovak Republic. He desired St Thomas Aquinas. Ziggy is returning to to obtain a more comprehensive Australia in order to join the Australian De- and deeper understanding of marriage as a fence Force part time where he will be trying state of life and prepare himself to assist the to join the Special Forces. He will be undertak- Church in this area. At the ITI, Pavol likes that ing, part time, a theology Licentiate degree marriage is not just some theoretical knowl- (STL) at the Catholic Institute of Sydney, in edge, but goes deeper into the human heart, which he plans to continue his research into forming a person’s character, which he could the negative effects of technology on our personally experience. Striving to be a good relationship with God. husband and father, he will remain in the ITI community one more year while his wife, Masters of Marriage and Family Magdalena, finishes her MMF degree with the Studies (MMF) hope of finding meaningful work back in Slovakia connecting his studies of law with marriage and family. A deep desire is to Giedre Guzikauskaite, Lithuania change the contraceptive mentality among Giedre finished a Bachelor and Slovak Catholics and how to minimize the Master degree in Education prior problem. to coming to the ITI. Here she desired to critically evaluate the Yunli Pan, China current challenges to marriage, Yunli, or Francis (as many of us find out the Biblical understanding of human know him), studied Chinese sexuality, and to learn more about the psychol- literature and philology before ogy of the family. She has great appreciation arriving at the ITI where he for her professors, her classes, and her class- appreciated being immersed in a

Consortio 13

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD Catholic Environment. He came to the ITI “to spiritual growth, including participation in have wisdom and to have his wisdom teeth the Eastern liturgies and the ability to travel removed.” His future plans include studying law. to European pilgrimage and historical sites. She plans to continue raising and home- Oksana Plets, Ukraine schooling her four boys as a profession and Oksana taught catechesis in a is involved in initiating a Marriage and Fam- parish and worked in a center ily resource institute in her parish in where supporting persons with she sings sacred music. mental disabilities prior to coming to the ITI with her husband, Studium Generale (SG) Fr. Mykhaylo, a byzantine rite priest, who was working on his Licentiate. After gradua- Miriam Aschenbrenner, Germany tion, she hopes to work for the Church, After graduating from high participate in the communities, “Faith and school in Kleve, Germany, and Light” and “L’Arche,” and develop a program spending the summer volun- about human dignity based on the materials teering in the education of she studied at the ITI. minor refugees in her home- town, Miriam came to the ITI for formation Galilee Riggio, USA in theology with the bonus of taking liberal Galilee came to ITI from Chris- arts classes. Being a young Catholic witness- tendom College to study mar- ing “so many other young Catholics living a riage and family. She has en- vivid faith,” as well as the international joyed the opportunity to travel, community and getting to know Eastern meet people and learn from Catholics has made this an unforgettable excellent teachers. On 12 June 2017, two year. Miriam plans to study law next year in days after graduation, she married ITI Germany. graduate, Martin Burger. Aurelia Colvis, USA (Missouri) Veronika Sidarenia, Belarus Aurelia, after spending a year on Veronika studied for a year at campus while her father took the Language and Catechetical classes and wanting to have a Institute in Gaming. Wanting to foundation in introductory develop a deeper relationship Catholic studies, decided to join with God and being inspired to him becoming ITI’s youngest student. She study marriage and family from a Catholic returns to the United States this summer and perspective, she came to the ITI where she plans to pursue a degree in nursing. During likes best “all the people here who make this her time at the ITI she “enjoyed meeting place very precious to my heart.” In the people from around the world”. future she hopes to assist her diocese in the sphere of Marriage and Family by helping to Assunta Gappmaier, Austria prepare couples for the sacrament of mar- Assunta came to the ITI from riage and giving talks to young people on high school to gain a better premarital chastity. theological and philosophical foundation. She enjoyed broad- Melissa Steele, USA ening her horizons by being able Melissa, desiring to enrich her spiritual life to take a wide range of various subjects and and deepen her knowledge about Catho- living in a Christian community where you are lic marriage and family life, enrolled at the able to freely develop and live one’s faith while ITI as well when her husband, Andrew deepening one’s relationship with God. joined the STM program. Melissa enjoyed Assunta plans to study medicine where she the community life and opportunities for can apply her understanding of human dignity

14 Summer 2017

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD and morality when treating her patients. law at the University of Vienna this fall.

Laura Henckel von Donnersmarck, Clara van Ittersum, Netherlands Austria Clara primarily studied the Laura took a gap year at the ITI sciences in high school and will after high school to discover work toward a degree in Applied what she wanted to do. During Mathematics at the Technical this year she liked learning University in Delft, Netherlands about her faith and plans to this fall. She took a gap year at the ITI to obtain study literature in England next year. fuller knowledge of her faith and tools to explain our beliefs to others, and to get in Rose Quackenbush, USA touch with good Catholic writers and books Rose joined her parents and for self-study while at University, generally a some of her siblings when her very secular environment. She appreciated the father came to teach for a year at diversity of readings from different writers, the ITI, and having just finished some of which “were absolutely enlightening.” high school became interested in She also greatly appreciated the explanation the Studium Generale program. She enjoyed and clarification of words used in the Bible being able to study God in a place where He during Sacred Scripture and the Greek Read- became visible not only in the texts she read ing classes. but also in the people surrounding her and the beauty of the created world. She also Grace Wilgus, USA loved the proximity to the Byzantine Rite and Grace worked part-time as a hopes to return to the ITI this fall to pursue a violin teacher and full-time at a Master of Sacred Theology. Credit Union prior to giving this year at the ITI “back to God in Nikolaus Repgen, Germany gratitude for His awesome Coming directly from high Mercy” with the hope of deepening her school, Nikolaus came to the ITI knowledge of the faith. She liked best the to learn more about and grow in community and the Institute’s dedication to faith, to discern his goals in life, academic excellence and its genuine devotion to improve his English skills, and to the magisterium of the Catholic Church. to participate in the Heiligenkreuz SG pro- Grace plans to continue studying Law, espe- gram. Nikolaus found the ITI community a cially with topics related to Right to Life, fantastic way to study theology and at the Bioethics, and Protecting Marriage in the same time participate in rich religious pro- United States. grams during free time. He hopes to study medicine in Germany or Austria. Alexandrya Pouliot, USA After a year at Belmont Abbey Johannes Salm-Reifferscheidt, Austria College in the USA, Lex came to Following a year in the Austrian the ITI to learn more about her army, Johannes came to the ITI faith and discern where she would motivated by the possibility to complete her studies. She will take courses at Heiligenkreuz, to continue her education at Jagiellonian Univer- gain a deeper knowledge of his sity in Krakow, Poland, working toward a degree faith, a better understanding of the moral in European studies. Besides interaction with teachings of the Catholic Church, and to get to international students, she enjoyed the anthro- know people from other continents who pology and fine arts and music classes here at share his beliefs. He thoroughly enjoyed the the ITI. This summer Lex will participate in a Socratic method of teaching and the commu- mission trip in India before interning with nity life on campus. Johannes plans to study Colorado Senator Cory Gardner.

Consortio 15

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD ITI Alumni News

uilding upon the intellectual and spiri- Scott Hefelfinger (STM 2008, STL 2011) Btual formation they received, ITI gradu- has accepted a position as Assistant Profes- ates have been going on their life missions sor of Theology at the Augustine Institute to serve the Church and the world. Their in Denver, Colorado and will start teaching ecclesiastical and civic engagement in the there for the fall semester 2017. Towards the life of the communities they live in has been end of this year he will have a book trans- marked by great value and im- lation coming out from CUA Press, portance. Some of their hard entitled A Gift of Presence: The Theol- work, academic achievements ogy and Poetry of the Eucharist in and personal attainments, as Thomas Aquinas by Jan-Heiner Tück, of the last two years, are being translated by Scott G. Hefelfinger, honored and presented here: with a foreword by Bruce D. Mar- Pictured top to shall. Defense of his bottom: Prof. Dr. Habil. Eugenijus Prof. Dr. Habil. Eugenijus doctoral dissertation Danilevicius; Danilevicius (MTS should take place at Scott Hefelfinger; 2000), being the the end of this sum- Br. Ionut Gotia; mer. Dr. John Joy Head of the Depart- and his wife and ment of Religious child; Dr. Stephan Studies at the Faculty Dr. John Joy (STM Kampowski. of Catholic Theol- 2010, STL 2012) re- ogy of the Vytautas ceived a position of Magnus University in Coordinator of Mar- Kaunas, Lithuania, ad- riage and Family ministered two new Ministries for the study programs of Diocese of Madi- religious education in 2015. son, Wisconsin in October 2016. Fr. Niccolo Florencio In May 2017 he (STM 2015) currently successfully de- works as Di- fended his doc- ITI graduates have rector of Cam- toral dissertation been going on their pus Ministry at in theology at life missions to serve the St. Joseph the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. the Church and the College, a catholic school of the Calbayog world. Their ecclesi- Diocese, Philippines, A new book by Dr. Stephan astical and civic en- with an enrolment of Kampowski (STL 2000) gagement in the life about 5000 students. In Famiglie diverse: espressioni imperfette dello stesso ideale? of the communities July 2016, he resigned from Vice-Rectorship at was published by Cantagalli, they live in has been the Pope Paul VI Semi- Siena, 2015. The same year marked by great val- nary in Asuncion, Maa- its German version Familien- ue and importance. sin and immediately assumed modelle in der Diskussion: unvollkommene the role of its Spiritual Director. Ausdrücke desselben Ideals? came out from Grignion Verlag, Altötting. Together with his Br. Ionut Gotia (STM 2003, STL 2005) two colleagues, he published the handbook received the diaconal ordination on January Amoris Laetitia. Accompagnare, discernere, 15, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. integrare. Vademecum per una nuova

16 Summer 2017

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD pastorale familiar by Cantagalli, Siena, 2016. Patrick Miral (MTS 2007) has been serving It has been translated into various different as Pastoral Associate at St. Theresa’s Catholic languages. Church in Houston, Texas since June 2015. He oversees all the marriage prepa- Katarina Kostyalova (MMF rations, funerals, social services and 2015) started a Catechesis of interfaith activities. the Good Shepherd Program in Slovakia in 2016. She is a Deacon Lukas full time Catechist for children Mitro (STM 2013) and Formation Leader for was ordained to adults. During the last year the priesthood more than 60 children and on August 15, 200 adults participated in her 2015. On March courses. 1, 2017 the Board of Trustees of Dr. Gudrun Kugler the Social Center Pictured top to (MTS 1999) started DORKA (Family bottom; Katarina Kostyalova; Patrick her work as Mem- Recovery House) Miral; The Gundrun ber of the Vienna in Prešov, Slova- family; Deacon Regional Parliament kia appointed Lukas Mitro; on November 24, him as its Ex- Marija Magdic; Fr. Benedict Nivakoff, 2015. She has suc- ecutive Direc- O.S.B.; and Andrej cessfully worked tor. Currently he Makovnik. towards a greater is responsible protection of the for supporting human person. families, but She will run for the also helping Austrian Federal single parents Parliament during in bringing up the national elec- their children. tions in October 2017. For further Fr. Benedict information check Nivakoff, her website www. O.S.B. (STM gudrunkugler.at. 2008) was appointed Marija Magdic the new (STM 2008) works Prior for the as Program Coordinator of Benedictine the first Catholic Family Cen- Monks in Norcia, Italy on November ter in the diocese of Murska 22, 2016. The new mission and work Sobota in Slovenia. October was entrusted to him shortly after the 10, 2015 she married Kristjan devastating earthquake in Norcia on Belcl. October 30, 2016. Fr. Benedict Nivakoff, Among a few build- Andrej Makovnik (MMF ings of the monastic O.S.B. (STM 2008) was 2014) made the profession of first vows on property left standing appointed the new Pri- November 1, 2015 in Spain. He became a was a small brewery, now or for the Benedictine part of the religious institute The Disciples of the hope for the renewal Monks in Norcia, Italy on the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. of the entire monastery complex. November 22, 2016.

Consortio 17

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD Mary and Zygmunt Rakowicz (MMF In April 2015 Chiara van Voorst tot Voorst 2016) have returned to the United King- (SG 2014) started the project Pure Woman- dom and are now actively involved in the hood to encourage young women in the revival of England’s National Shrine of Our Netherlands to discover the beauty of being Lady in Walsingham. Zygmunt has been a woman and living the life of true Daughters made Director of Evangelization and also of God. www.purewomanhood.nl. Pictured top to Director of Finance. In bottom; Mary and collaboration with other Ondrej Vlcek (STM 2016) started his Zygmunt Rakowicz; Catholic organizations, they own blog (https://rozmyslajmespolu. Florian Vorisek; Monica Rapeanu; are giving talks, organiz- com) in May 2016, publishing transla- ITI students cel- ing retreats and pilgrim- tions of Church documents and St. ebrating a birthday; ages, above all running the Thomas Aquinas’ works that have Deacon Reginald Shrine. never been translated into the Slovak (Ryan) Wolford, O.P.; Tyler Worthy. language. Monica Rapeanu (STM 2001, STL 2003) Florian Vorisek (STM serves the Church 2015) has been working and the New as Editor for theological Evangelization as broadcasts and broad- Teacher/Lecturer, casts for children, but Speaker, Evan- also as a Radio Speaker gelist, Catechist, at the Catholic Radio Sta- Youth Leader, tion “Radio Maria Aus- Editor, Translator, tria” (www.radiomaria. Writer, Volunteer, at) since September 2016. This Event Organizer unique Catholic and Coordinator. Radio Station Having joined the is part of the Lay Dominicans, she World Family has been contribut- of Radio Maria ing to the life of the with radio sta- Irish Dominican tions in more Province than 50 coun- Dr. Mark J. Zia and there- tries on all conti- (STL 2001) has fore of the Order of nents. been promoted to Preachers. She had articles published in Deacon Reginald (Ryan) Wol- the rank of full pro- the theological jour- ford, O.P. (STM 2004) was or- fessor of Sacred nal “Doctrine and dained to the priesthood on Octo- Theology at Bene- Life” published by Do- ber 1, 2016 and serves the Church dictine College in minican Publications, in Bloomington, Indiana, USA. Dublin, Ireland, and Atchison, Kansas a chapter on Redemp- Tyler Worthy (STM 2015) current- and published his toris Mater entitled ly teaches History and Apologetics third book Behold Your Mother in a book at Holy Family Academy in Manchester, New celebrating the canonization of Hampshire. On April 8, 2017 he published John Paul II: Access All Areas – JP II - The the shortened form of his thesis The Imper- Thought of the Saint, edited by Fr. John ishable Crown: Martyrdom as the Fulfill- Harris OP and published by One by One ment of the Baptismal Call in the Homilectic Press, Cork, Ireland, 2014. & Pastoral Review: http://www.hprweb. com/2017/04/the-imperishable-crown/.

18 Summer 2017

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD Meixia Zhang (STM Benedictine College in Atchison, 2015) received the habit Kansas and published his third of the Monastic Family of book entitled “The Enduring Faith Bethlehem near Salzburg, and Timeless Truths of Fulton J. Austria in June 2015. Sheen” in 2015. He is a perpetual member of the Fellowship of Catho- Dr. Mark J. Zia (STL 2001) lic Scholars and actively teaches can- has been promoted to the didates for the permanent diaconate rank of full professor of Sacred Theology at throughout the United States.

Marriages and Ordinations - Recent and Upcoming

Benita Sczaniecka (MTS 2004) married Elijah White (STM 2009) got engaged to Brian Wojciechowski on August 22, 2015. Danielle Dellino, May 2017.

Selene Viens (STM 2012) married James Kathleen Harrison (STM 2014) got en- Pride on May 7, 2016. gaged to Keith Kennedy on May 27, 2017.

Marguerite Nemeth (STM 2015) and Travis Bernadette Bartosch, Sister Josefa Maria Dziad (STM 2015) got married on July 9, 2016. of the Holy Church (STM 2011) will make her Solemn Profession on August 6, 2017, Georgia Owen (STM 2016) and Ondrej Vl- Carmel Convent in Graz, Austria. cek (STM 2016) got married on July 16, 2016. Briege Daly (STM 2015) and Sebastian Martin Bürger (SG 2012, STM 2017) and Khuen (SG 2015) will get married on Au- Galilee Riggio (MMF 2017) got married gust 12, 2017. June 12, 2017. Deacon Mihai Groza (STL 2014, MMF Halyna Deva and Roman Kuzytskyy (both 2016) will receive the priestly ordination on MMF 2013) got engaged on January 22, 2017. August 15, 2017. Trumau Houses Catholic High School

n July 2016 the Board of Trustees of the ITI, ary school, including a generous Iwith the strong support of the Grand Chan- outside sports facility. cellor of the ITI, Cardinal Schönborn, agreed to rent out long-term, starting September 2017, Schola Thomas Morus is a fully in- the unused campus building, referred to as dependent private Catholic school the “Hofrichterhaus” (the local courthouse in the classical liberal arts tradition. until the nineteenth century), to the Catholic Many children of ITI families also High School (Gymnasium) “Schola Thomas attend the school that is currently Morus” that was founded in 2013 by a number located in Baden bei Wien. The of people associated with the ITI. Schola Thomas Morus urgently needed a new location due to its fast growth The new school building will be completed in student numbers. Children from the whole in two phases, financed entirely by donors metropolitan area of Vienna attend the school, of Schola Thomas Morus, comprising of some traveling as much as three hours a day to eleven classrooms, offices, mensa facilities be able to attend the school. For more infor- and all spaces that are needed for a second- mation visit www.scholathomasmorus.at

Consortio 19

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD Twenty Years ITI: Celebratory Weekend Highlighted the Universality of the Catholic Church

Over 300 guests from around the world precisely: “Religion came to Trumau September 30 – October = the relation to 1, 2016; Cardinal Schönborn called the God” does not im- founding of the ITI in 1996 by Pope St. John pose taboos; it does Paul II visionary. not put up barriers. It keeps, we hear, an he Consecration of the new Byzantine appropriate aware- TChapel on September 30, 2016, presided ness of boundary over by Bishop Boris Gudziak and three lines alive; seen in other Greek-catholic bishops, the Pontifi- view of vague talk cal Mass celebrated by Cardinal Christoph about responsibility Schönborn on October 1, 2016, in the newly (a discussion which consecrated chapel, and the surprise mu- is even deployed sical performance by the KisiKids at the to justify the kill- opening of the Dies natalis ceremony were ing of the innocent a joyful reminder of the richness of the unborn), religion Church’s liturgical and spiritual diversity in names the author- unity. This has always been a hallmark of the ity before which the ITI and its unique campus life. It is also what human person—not was celebrated commemorating twenty as lord of the world but as steward—is years since the founding of the ITI by Pope accountable. St. John Paul II on October 1, 1996, the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux. But with all this—awareness of boundary lines rather than boundaries per In his words of welcome Cardinal Chris- se–some things still remain unsaid. Reli- toph Schönborn, Grand Chancellor of the gion first of all encourages and empow- ITI since its foundation, looked back upon twenty years in which he himself received so much from the existence of the ITI and the many friendships he gained from it. Dr. Jörg Splett, the keynote speaker during the Dies natalis ceremony and a highly distin- guished professor from Germany, spoke about wisdom and truth and how it is the task of academic formation (akademische Bildung) to pursue these. In this regard, Prof. Splett warned, the discipline of theology has to beware of wishing to measure itself with the secular sciences, which it can never do because it is primarily aimed at knowing God. Here are some excerpts from the brilliant talk by Dr. Splett on “In Service of Academic Education”: Christoph Cardinal Schönborn, Grand Chancellor of the ITI blesses the new hall. “Religion = conscientiousness” and more

20 Summer 2017

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD Twenty Years ITI: Celebratory Weekend Highlighted the Universality of the Catholic Church

ers the acceptance of the world, the investigation if the world, and its shaping and cultivation; I would even say very bluntly, it encourages the mastery of the world. – This will also apply to the thinking and research within religion itself, i.e. to philosophy of religion and theology– notwithstanding voices which are anti-rational or anti-scientific, whether from inflexible funda- mentalism, ‘post-modern’ anarchy or profound psychological feeling.

Mastery is the very opposite of unrestrained tyranny, of fear-driven exploitation–whether of human beings or of nature–and of panic- driven or planned destruction. – The human being should indeed master himself and the world, as a violinist “masters” the violin or a piece of music–or (to take a very humanist example of something that cer- tainly suffers at the hands of science) as the human being masters the language which ennobles him.”

All the talks of the Twentieth Anni- versary celebra- tion are accessible through our website www.iti.ac.at Pictured form top to bottom: Rector Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau adresses guests in the new (audio) Hall; Bishop Boris Gudziak prepares the newly consecrated altar in the Byzantine Chapel; Ms. Radwan Riley (second from right) flanked by her family members at the newly unveiled plaque commemorating the Riley couple as the generous benefactors of the Allan and Radwan Riley Hall

Consortio 21

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD Faculty Publications and Lectures - 2016-2017 Academic Year

The 2016-2017 academic staff of the ITI poses with Grand Chancellor Cardinal Christoph Schönborn at the occasion of the 2017 commencement ceremony. Missing in this picture are faculty members Dr. Vince Demeo and Dr. Federico Colautti.

Our faculty he members of the Faculty of of lectures and publications by ITI fac- Tthe International Theologi- ulty around the world shows the wide contributes cal Institute do not only teach the variety of themes our staff write and importantly courses that are part of the curricu- speak about internationally. In the Aca- to the New lum at the ITI every academic year, demic Year 2016-2017 alone ITI faculty Evangelization that they also do research, publish, and held more than fifty lectures and aca- travel extensively around Austria, demic presentations on a wide variety of our founder St. Europe, The United States and the themes - outside of their regular course John Paul II called rest of the world to participate in schedule on campus and not including us to, as they bring conferences and give lectures and the many radio presentations and in- to academia and academic presentations. In this way, terviews our faculty also participate in. our faculty contributes importantly Topics of talks given internationally and society at large to the New Evangelization that in English include: the arguments our founder St. John Paul II called and example why us to, as they bring to academia “Human Rights: Principles or Preferences?” God’s plan with and society at large the arguments and “The Role of Faith in Lawmaking” by and example why God’s plan with Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau (Vienna, humanity is good humanity is good and worthy to be Austria and Nairobi, Kenya) and worthy to be followed. followed. The following brief selection “Gospel Ethics: Lose Your Life to Save It” and

22 Summer 2017

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD “Common Good Thinking in the Bible” “Gender Dysphoria/Identity Disorder: by Dr. Vince DeMeo (Santa Paula, USA Are We Loyal to the Noli Nocere! Princi- and Bratislava, Slovakia) ple?” by Dr. Gintas Vaitoska at the World Psychiatric Association Congress (Vil- “Did Moses speak on his own author- nius, Lithuania) ity?” and “The Frescos of the Via Latina and their rabbinical background” by “Justice – Philosophical, Theological – Dr. Bernhard Dolna (Vienna, Austria and Alive“ by Dr. Michael Wladika at the and Olmütz, Czech Republic) 5th International Colloquium on Chris- tian Humanism in Business and Eco- “Failure or exultation? Differing ten- nomics (Berlin, Germany) dencies in marriage-pastoral” and “Pastoral care of the divorced and re- During the past academic year, Dr. Tim- married: an ecumenical comparison in othy Kelly has been teaching part-time the context of “Amoris Laetitia”” by Dr. as a guest lecturer at Blackfriars, Oxford Michaela Hastetter (International sym- University (Oxford, United Kingdom), posium in Trumau, Austria and Leuven, whilst Dr. Vince DeMeo taught as a visit- Belgium) ing scholar at St. Thomas Aquinas Col- lege in Santa Paula, California

ITI faculty also published over eighty academic works and other writings, including books, articles and book reviews, most of them in German, in the academic year 2016- 2017. Some of these works in English include:

Bernhard Dolna: “Between Jewish Tra- Fr. Thomas Möllenbeck: “I am spiritual, dition and Early Christian Art: The not religious.“ Zur heuristischen Bedeu- catacomb at the Via Latina in the work tung der theologischen Geisteshaltung, of Kurt and Ursula Schubert”, in: Jew- in: Thomas Möllenbeck / Ludger Schulte ish Studies, Palacký Universität Olmütz (Hrsg.): Spiritualität. Auf der Suche 2017, 33 Seiten nach ihrem Ort in der Theologie, Mün- ster: Aschendorff 2017, 249-265. Michaela Hastetter: “Via caritatis. Pas- toral care of the divorced and remar- Michael Wladika: “Extreme Tensions ried: an ecumenical comparison in the and Relatively Simple Ascent. The Rela- context of “Amoris Laetitia””, in: Thomas tion Between Mind and Soul in St Au- Knieps (Hg.), INTAMS Symposium “Amo- gustine“, in: Von Platon bis Rilke. Auf- ris Laetitia: A Point of no Return? Leuven sätze zur Geschichte der Philosophie, 25.-27. Oct 2016, Leuven 2017 (in print) Würzburg 2016, 60-71

International Please help us continue the important Online donations: Consortio is published by the work of the new evangelization with at www.iti.ac.at International Theological Institute Theological your generous gifts. Donations are or in the US at www.itiusa.org Institute tax-deductible. Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau US Donations: ITI-USA Catholic School International Bank Information: Art Director: Ron Lawson 78 Dawson Village Way North of Theology Raiffeisenbank Baden Article Credits: ITI (editorial) staff Raiffeisenstr 15, 2521 Trumau, Austria Suite 140, Box 16

S and others I S Schlossgasse 21 C E Account: 414.078 Dawsonville GA 30534 U T T N O Photo Credits: ITI (editorial) staff CE F A-2521 Trumau Bank Code: 32045 RV US AD and others www.iti.ac.at IBAN: AT63 3204 5000 0041 4078 Betty Hartmann [email protected] BIC/SWIFT: RLNW ATWW BAD (805) 649-2346 DVR-0029874(040) [email protected] or [email protected]

Consortio 23

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD A Prayer of John Henry Newman

Dear Jesus, help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly, That my life may only be a radiance of Yours.

Shine through me, and be so in me That every soul I come in contact with May feel Your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me, but only Jesus!

Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as You shine, So to shine as to be a light to others; The light, O Jesus will be all from You; none of it will be mine; It will be you, shining on others through me.

Let me thus praise You the way You love best, by shining on those around me. Let me preach You without preaching, not by words but by my example, By the catching force of the sympathetic influence of what I do, The evident fullness of the love my heart bears to You.

Amen. • Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman The Most Important Person The Most Important Person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral— a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body... The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God’s creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. In performing this act of creation... Only a human mother can. What on God’s good earth Mothers are closer to God is more glorious than this: to be a mother? the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty (1892 – 1975)

24 Summer 2017

S I S C E U T T N O CE F RV US AD