Courses » THEO 585a: Selected Topics in Theology: Local Church, Global Catholicism

Description

What does it mean to be a Catholic today in a culturally diverse place such as Vancouver? The Catholic Church holds a unique claim that perhaps no other major religion in history has expressed quite so forcibly: universality of faith expressed in the cultural particularities of the believers. The two seemingly polar aspects, i.e., universality and particularity, are held in tension. North America is a telltale case in which one can witness the global nature of Catholicism within one’s own local church. This course, titled Local Church Global Catholicism, offers three lenses through which students can understand Global Catholicism: historical, theological and pastoral. Students will get an overview of the global development of Catholicism in history; discuss theological and ecclesiastical framework for understanding the tension between universality and particularity; and develop tools for examining pastoral issues facing the Catholic Church in North America today. This course will include lectures, readings, presentations, and site visits to local parishes around Vancouver.

Credits