“The Church at the Close of an Age: Postconciliar Catholicism at the End of the Generation of Vatican II”
On Friday April 4th at 7:00 p.m. at the Union League Club in New York City, the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny will sponsor a brief conference examining postconciliar Catholicism at the end of the generation of Vatican II, featuring lectures by two outstanding Catholic scholars who are well-known for their courageous defense of traditional theological positions, Prof. Roberto de Mattei and Dr. John Lamont.
Dr. Lamont will begin the evening by addressing the problem of the rule of law in the Catholic Church — an important topic made more poignant today by the systemic failures of the abuse crisis. He will expose some of the conceptual sources of the current predicament in the post-medieval theological tradition and offer an alternative perspective grounded in the teaching of St. Thomas.
Pope Francis is the first Pope since the Second Vatican Council who did not participate personally in its work, and hence his ascent to the Chair of Peter may be said to mark the closing of an age. Prof. de Mattei will speak about the Catholicism at the close of this age of Vatican II, examining the historical roots of the present situation and thus providing the necessary background for understanding recent and future developments.
All are welcome to attend; admission is free of charge.
The conference will be preceded by Solemn Vespers in the Traditional Roman rite at 5:30 p.m. at Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral in Lower Manhattan, only 15 minutes from the Union League Club by subway (#6 line). See below for detailed directions.
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Roberto de Mattei is Professor of Modern History and History of Christianity at the European University in Rome, has held many other academic and advisory positions during a distinguished career. A well-known commentator on Catholic affairs in his homeland, he is the author of more than a dozen books, some of them translated into multiple European languages. His incisive history of Vatican II was published in 2010, and is now available in English through Loreto Publications under the title The Second Vatican Council — An Unwritten Story. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing at the conference.
John R.T. Lamont is a philosopher of religion and theologian based in Sydney, Australia. A significant contributor to the contemporary revival of Thomism, his work has appeared in leading academic journals such as The Thomist and The Monist as well as more popular periodicals such as First Things. His acclaimed study of the rational basis for Christian faith, Divine Faith, was published in 2004 by Ashgate.
Please be aware of the dress code of the Union League Club: business attire . . . jackets for men, no jeans or sneakers
More information about the Union League Club, including directions, can be found HERE.
For those coming from Vespers at St Patrick’s Old Cathedral: Walk north on Mulberry Street, cross Houston Street and walk to Bleecker Street Station. Get on 6 line uptown. Get off at 33rd Street/Park Avenue South. Walk north 4 blocks to East 37th street. Estimated travel time: 15 minutes.
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