A Conference with Scott Hahn in Oxford, 1 Nov. 08 1 August, 2008

Scripture and Liturgy in the Theology of Benedict XVI. This important theological conference with Dr Scott Hahn, the popular American writer and biblical scholar, which also features Dominican theologian Aidan Nichols, leading Biblical scholar Michael Waldstein, and Adrian Walker the translator of the Pope’s book on Jesus Christ, will take place at the Catholic Chaplaincy of Oxford University opposite Christ Church College on Saturday 1 November 2008. It is organized by the Centre for Faith and Culture in Oxford and cosponsored by Dr Hahn’s ‘St Paul Center for Biblical Theology’ in Steubenville, Ohio.

The purpose of the conference is to focus attention on the principles underlying the Pope’s ongoing ‘reform of the reform‘ of Catholic liturgy. The relationship between SCRIPTURE AND LITURGY underpins the Pope’s teaching. The Pope reminds us that ‘The privileged place for reading and listening to the Word of God is in the liturgy.’ Furthermore, that liturgy is cosmic, for the love of the Trinity moves the stars. These principles are inspiring a new liturgical movement.

On the previous evening, 31 October, Dr Hahn will give the annual CTS Lecture in London.

Dr Hahn is Professor of Theology and Scripture at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990, and is the founder and director of the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology. In 2005, he was appointed as the Pope Benedict XVI Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The author of numerous books and articles, he speaks widely in the United States but only rarely in the UK.

The conference also provides a rare opportunity to hear Dr Michael Waldstein, who will have been attending the Synod on Scripture in Rome as a peritus. Formerly the President of the International Theological Institute of Cardinal Schonborn in Gaming, Austria, he is currently the Max Seckler Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University in Florida. Dr Adrian Walker, a member of the editorial board of Communio, is also rarely in England: after teaching for some years at the John Paul II Institute in Washington, he now lives in Germany and works as a translator. Aidan Nichols OP is, of course, well known as writer of numerous books on theology and liturgy, including the leading study of the thought of Pope Benedict XVI.

Meanwhile, for World Youth Day follow-up see the official Vatican WYD site, as well as the Catholic Herald blog. Oh yes, and Sophie Caldecott’s article on Zenit!