Bridging the Divides

International conference on faith-based reconciliation and peacebuilding commemorating the 30th anniversary of Reconciliatio et paenitentia by St. John Paul II and the Year of Jan Karski

“Some consider reconciliation as an impossible dream which ideally might become the lever for a true transformation of society. For others it is to be gained by arduous efforts and therefore a goal to be reached through serious reflection and action. Whatever the case, the longing for sincere and consistent reconciliation is without a shadow of doubt a fundamental driving force in our society, reflecting an irrepressible desire for peace. And it is as strongly so as the factors of division, even though this is a paradox.” RP 3

09:30 Welcoming refreshments

10:00 Welcome and Introduction – Dr Michał Łuczewski, Deputy Director, Centre for the Thought of John Paul II in Warsaw.

10:15 Jan Karski Lecture – Prof. Thomas Ryba, Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue University.

11:15 Panel I, Papers and Panel discussions Dr Mátyás Szalay, Instituto de Filosofía Edith Stein. “On Reconciliation. Christian versus Secular Imagination of Peace in the context of politics”. Dr Joanna Kulska, University of Opole. “Transformation of conflict as the key element of religious and non- religious peacebuilding”. Dr Karolina Wigura, University of Warsaw. “The impossibility and miracle of forgiveness”. Dr Aneta Gawkowska, University of Warsaw. “Reconciliation as Reintegration”.

13:15 Lunch break – lunch will be provided, all participants welcome

14:15 Panel II, Papers and Panel discussions Dr Urszula Okulska, University of Warsaw. “Bridging political divides through the discourse of John Paul II’s diplomatic correspondence”. Dr Amelia Korzeniewska, The Ignacy Jan Paderewski Society of Science. “Memory about Edith Stein as an incentive for reconciliation between Catholics and Jews”. Dr Ewa Szczecińska Musielak, SGGW. “Religion and Church(es) in Northern Ireland Peace Process”. Dr Monika Gabriela Bartoszewicz, Centre for the Thought of John Paul II. “Bridge on the River: European Converts to Islam and the question of Reconciliation”.

16:30 Coffee break

17:00 Keynote address “Myth of Religious Violence” – Prof. William T. Cavanaugh, Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology, DePaul University (Chicago).