Articles & Lectures

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Carrying a Scandal Biblically

This article, which deals with the issue of sexual abuse by clergy, is an edited text of the 2002 Henry Somerville Lecture in Christianity and Communications. Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, gave this talk called "Carrying a Scandal Biblically," at the Newman Centre in Toronto Oct. 30 and at St. Jerome's Centre for Catholic Experience, St. Jerome's University, Waterloo, on Nov. 1st.
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A Shrinking Horizon: The Deeper Reasons Underlying our Struggles to Believe in God in Western Culture

This is a piece on first world missiology which tries to give some philosophical background to our present struggle to hand the faith on to our own children. It was written to celebrate the retirement of Willi Henkel, a renowned Oblate missiologist who retired in 2002. It is published in a book entitled "La Missione Senza Confini", edited by Marek Rostkowski, Rome, Stampa Vivere.
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Hope and Concern - The Church and Culture on the Eve of a New Millennium

This is the Kelly Lecture, delivered at St. Michael's College, University of Toronto, March 25, 2999. It tries to name both the sources of hope and concern vis-à-vis living out our faith today.
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Our Perennial Fascination with Therese of Lisieux

Presented as part of a symposium on Therese of Lixieux, Trinity College, Leeds, England, August 11, 1997, this article tries to analyze why this young woman, Therese Martin (generally known as Therese of Lixieux) who lived in almost complete obscurity and died at age 24, has so fascinated millions and millions of people form more than a hundred years.
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Key Elements in Therese's Spirituality: The Little Way, Noticing the Unnoticed Drops of Blood

Presented as part of a symposium on Therese of Lisieux, Trinity College, Leeds, England, August 12, 1997, this article attempts to name and elaborate the key elements in the spirituality of Therese of Lisieux.
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John of the Cross: The Man, The Myth and The Truth

Presented as part of a symposium on John of the Cross, London, England, August 1991. Published in "A Fresh Approach to John of the Cross" (Edited by John McGowan, St. Pauls, Middlegreen, Slough, United Kingdom, 1993) this article tries to distinguish the myth built up around John of the Cross, from the reality of his person.
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John of the Cross and Human Development: The Dark Night of the Soul - A Contemporary Interpretation

Presented as part of a symposium on John of the Cross, London, England, August 1991. Published in "A Fresh Approach to John of the Cross"(Edited by John McGowan, St. Pauls, Middlegreen, Slough, United Kingdom, 1993) this article outlines the six stages of transformation (in prayer, love and service) as articulated by John of the Cross.
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