The First
The Monthly Newsletter of Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church
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November 2021
Dear CTEWC Friends,
 
This month’s issue includes an update from the Nonviolence and Just Peace Virtual Table. We encourage those attending the Society of Christian Ethics in the US to note the public scholarship preconference training opportunity below. CTEWC plans to develop wider opportunities for developing such skills, as well, in light of our emphasis in Sarajevo on moving from ethical analysis to strategic responses.
 
In this month’s African Forum, Stan Chu Ilo argues that despite the suspicions and opposition of some, a pro-life stance demands support for COVID vaccinations; in the Junior Scholars Forum, guest contributor Teresa Kiragu promotes holistic health care and a culture of life for Catholic hospitals in Kenya. Writing from the Philippines, Eric Genilo discloses how clericalism and “pastoral blindness” have contributed to the nation’s rise in teen pregnancies. In the Latin American and Caribbean Forum, MT Dávila highlights the promise of the tragic element of morality for navigating fraught crossroads in dialogues over abortion. In the European Forum, guest author Petr Vizina reflects on the pope’s radically countercultural calls in Fratelli Tutti to solidarity in the face of political and religious fundamentalisms. Finally, writing from the United States, Mary Doyle Roche calls us to bridge-building, bridge-crossing and bridge-burning in light of significant power imbalances and rights violations.
 
We mourn the recent passing of members Jacquineau Azéstop, SJ and Brian Berry. We pray for them and all of the faithfully departed as we mark All Souls Day tomorrow.

Kristin Heyer
Shaji George Kochuthara, CMI
Andrea Vicini, SJ
In this Issue
November Forum
In Memoriam
Virtual Tables
Regional Reports
Job Posting
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Kristin Heyer, Editor

Sara Bernard-Hoverstad, Associate Editor
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Featured Forum Articles
African Forum: "Why Do We Put Faith in the Vaccine?"
- Stan Chu Ilo

European Forum: "On the Pope's 'Madness'"
- Petr Vizina

North American Forum: "Bridges Built and Burned in Ethical Discourse"
- Mary M. Doyle Roche
"Teenage Pregnancy, Sexuality Education, and Clericalism" - Eric Marcelo Genilo

Latin American and Caribbean Forum: "Recobrando el sentido trágico de la moral cristian" - MT Dávila

Junior Scholars Forum: "Holistic Healthcare Ethics and Culture of Life"
- Teresa Kiragu
In Memoriam
On October 13, 2021, Fr. Jacquineau Azétsop, SJ died at age 49 in Rome, where he was dean and professor at the School of Social Sciences at Pontifical Gregorian University. With an impressive track record of well-received projects and prestigious appointments, he was an international leader in health equity and bioethics, able to call together prominent colleagues with a reassuring, hospitable style, a progressive vision and a deep passion for health equity. He will be missed dearly by his colleagues and students.

Obituaries for Fr. Azétsop are offered by colleagues at the Pontifical Gregorian University, the Vatican News Service, and James Keenan in NCR.
Virtual Tables
Nonviolence and Just Peace 

Our purpose has been to deepen reflection on the cross-cutting, intersectional theme of nonviolence. We are presently focusing on developing two case studies. These cases include Boko Haram, which will be done in Nov. 2021, and the intersection of the Laudato Si’ Action Plan with nonviolence in the university sector. We are drawing on a just peace ethic in our moral analysis.

Previously, we discussed existing, constructive efforts of nonviolence on the ground in the regions where participants reside; how nonviolence is a cross-cutting, intersectional theme both in terms of illuminating specific moral issues and generating creative, transformative praxis; what norms and ethical framework better enable nonviolence to proliferate and deepen within the Catholic church and broader society; and how might a just peace ethic contribute to this effort. We have refined and advanced an understanding of nonviolence. Participants have included Shawnee Daniels-Sykes, Maureen O’Connell, Leo Lushombo, Lilian Ehidiamhen, Jasmin Nario Galace, Marie Dennis, Sami Basha, and Eli McCarthy. If you’d like to get involved, contact Eli at esm52@georgetown.edu. We meet once a month on the 3rd Friday at 8-9am EST (Washington DC).
African Regional Report
Book Publication

A Time Like No Other: Covid-19 in Women's Voices, ed. Nontando Hadebe, Daniela Gennrich, Susan Rakoczy and Nobesuthu Tom (Ebook, Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians, 2021).

The Coronavirus has shone light on the latent pandemics throughout the world, particularly those from which women suffer the most. The stories told in this book reveal women’s resilience and “stubborn faith” in God, with other reflections from gender activists and women theologians who encourage faith and hope in God who is ever present with the world and suffers with it.

2021 Young African Leaders Summit in Ghana

The second annual Young African Leaders Summit will take place 25-27 November 2021 in Accra, Ghana. The summit will cover the challenges that African youths are confronted with and various topical issues that pertain to economic empowerment, politics, climate change and entrepreneurship development, along with mentoring and networking opportunities. More information about the summit is available here.
Asian and Oceanian Regional Report
Publications

Ellen Van Stichel, “Fratelli tutti: A continuation of Francis’ Renewal”, in K. Kachapppilly (ed.), Fratelli tutti: Perspectives, Christian World Imprints, Delhi, 2021, pp.29-40.

Sahayadas Fernando sdb. Cf. J. Pudumai Doss, S. Fernando & M. C. Anthonysamy, Pathways to Fraternity; Educating the Young in light of Fratelli tutti, All India Don Bosco Education Society, Delhi, 2021.
 
Upcoming Online Conference
 
The Annual conference (online) of the Association of Moral Theologians of India (AMTI) shall take place on 16, 23 and 30 November 2021 from 6 to 8 pm (Indian time). Theme: “Five Years of Amoris Laetitia: Developments in Moral Theology and Challenges in Pastoral Practices.” Those who are interested to participate may kindly register at the latest by 4th November 2021. The Zoom link for the conference shall be sent to those who register. Please see the brochure attached.
European Regional Report
Job Advertisement

The Institute for Theology and Peace in Hamburg has a vacancy for the position of a research associate. Further information available here.
 
Verstraeten Farewell Lecture

Prof. Dr. Johan Verstraeten: Farewell lecture ‘Theological Ethics: a Contribution to Justice and Peace? A Critical Retrospect with Reference to Business Ethics and Catholic Social Thought.'
More information is available here and, to watch remotely, here is link to the livestream.
 
Joint Diploma in Ecologia Integrale, Italy

La Pontificia Università Gregoriana prosegue - congiuntamente alle Pontificie Università di Roma - nell’impegno formativo lanciando la V edizione del Joint Diploma in Ecologia Integrale. Questo percorso di studi, annuale e aperto a tutti, intende promuovere il messaggio dell’enciclica per generare consapevolezza, incoraggiando e sostenendo i suoi partecipanti nell’avvio di iniziative personali e comunitarie per la cura della Casa Comune.

Catholics and COP 26: Artists, Activists and Academics on Climate Justice and the Integrity of Creation
 
A series of free online public events during COP 26 at 17.00-18.30 hrs GMT: 1 November; 5 November; 6 November; 8 November; 11 November.
 
Speakers: Kochurani Abraham, Anna Blackman, Sr Françoise Bosteels, Fr Charles Chilufya SJ, Mary Colwell, Nontando Hedebe, Jan Jans, Mary Jo Iozzio, Carmen Artigas Moreno, Benard Ndaka, Sr Dawn Nothwehr, Sr Veronica Nyoni, Fr Robert Sowa, Carlos Zepeda
 
More information at Eventbrite. Email Julie Clague for a zoom link to the full programme: julie.clague@glasgow.ac.uk.

Pastoral Practices, Life Experience, and Moral Theology: Amoris Laetitia Between New Opportunities and New Paths

The Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical Theological Institute John Paul II are organizing a conference about the influence of the Apostolical Exhortation Amoris Laetitia of Pope Francis to Moral Theology in Rome. It will take place 11-14 May 2022, and the Call for Papers deadline is 20 December.
Latin American-Caribbean Regional Report
Congresos

Nuestra compañera Marcela Lapalma participó en el Congreso Brasileño de Moralistas con una disertación sobre la benignidad. El texto aparece en el libro que editaron. Para ver el video.

A mediados de octubre nuestra compañera María Isabel Gil Espinosa participó en el II International Congress Bioethics, Technology and Society con el tema “Bioética, una propuesta de humanización. Volviendo a los orígenes de Van Rensselaer Potter."
 
Nuevo Libro

Para ver la presentación del libro en el que participó como coautor nuestro compañero Agustín Ortega ver Ignacio Martin-Baró, la psicología, la liberación y el pensamiento latinoamericano hoy.
North American Regional Report
Media 101: SCE Preconference Training

Do you want to share your expertise beyond the ivory tower? Do you wish that the media contacted you more often about relevant issues in the news? Do you wonder how to handle interviews? Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church will sponsor a "Media 101" training on Thursday, January 6, 2:30-3:45 p.m. Karen Foshay of the LATimes will lead the session. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis (note that we have opened it to all members of the SCE). If you wish to attend, please write to catholicethics@gmail.com today.

Recent Articles

David Decosse, "LA Church’s jubilee year a chance to face sins of California mission history," National Catholic Reporter, October 14, 2021.
 
 
A Virtual Webinar Invitation

"Religious peacebuilding amidst political polarization: A US-Northern Ireland dialogue," Nov. 2, 2021, 12:30pm – 2:00pm. Religious actors in the United States and Northern Ireland each face ongoing challenges of conflict and violence tied to political polarization. While the two cases present distinct dynamics and call for distinct responses, what lessons might be learned about how religion can be a force for peace, justice and reconciliation in deeply-polarized societies? 
Book Publication

Kate Ward, Wealth, Virtue and Moral Luck is out at Georgetown University Press. Interested purchasers can use coupon code TGUF for 30% off. 
 
Job Opportunity

Notre Dame, Catholic Peacebuilding Network Program Associate: entry-level staff position, might be more of a fit for someone who is a recent graduate. View the job post for more information.
 
Helpful Resources

Pax Christi: "A Policymaker’s Tool for Effective, Nonviolent Strategies for Sustainable Peace" We are pleased to launch a new publication for policymakers (and all those who want to make nonviolence a matter of policy!). The short, illustrative and practical brochure illustrates how nonviolence at the policy level has been proven effective around the world. We brought together experts and stories from around our movement to highlight the importance of nonviolence for policymakers as well as how easy and cost-effective it can be.
Job Posting
Georgetown University invites applications for the Joseph and Winifred Amaturo Chair in Catholic Studies. The successful candidate will be appointed as an associate or full professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies as well as in the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. View the announcement for more information.
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