Theological Inquiry and Leadership in a ‘Post-Truth’ Era: Insights from Blessed Oscar Romero
This essay is published in a book by Routledge Press released in June 2018, “Religious Scholars as Public Intellectuals,” as part of the Routledge Studies in Religion Series, and examines some ways in which then-Blessed (now Saint) Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador confronted ‘post-truth’ political and cultural forces in his ministry and examines insights that can be garnered for confronting similar social discourse today.
‘Communication, Communion and Conflict in the Theologies of Gregory Baum and Patrick Granfield’
This is the abstract of the dissertation which I submitted for my Ph.D. in systematic theology from The Catholic University of America. It examines the understandings of the church in the writings of two contemporary North American Roman Catholic theologians, Gregory Baum (b. 1923) and Fr. Patrick Granfield, OSB (1930-2014). The work analyzes the complementary scholarship of Baum and Granfield with respect to the understanding of the church as communion as it emerged in the teaching of the Second Vatican Council of the 1960s and their related efforts to encourage fresh examinations of the church’s engagement with the world in dialogue and action. I also analyze their proposals for the updating of the Catholic Church’s internal governing structures in ways which reflect that ecclesiology of communion. articulated by the Council.
‘Apostolicity and Episkopé in U.S. Ecumenical Dialogue’
In this essay, which won the peer-reviewed 2008 Ecumenism Essay Award from the Washington Theological Consortium, I examine the well-known Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry document of the World Council of Churches with respect to the related issues of apostolicity and episkopé (or “oversight”). I then indicate significant advances and shifts in the dialogue by evaluating more contemporary sources, namely, the insights of theologians from different Churches of the Reformation in the U.S., working on the “Churches Uniting in Christ’s “Consultation on Episkopé,” and an independent, though related, presentation of a Catholic theologian John Burkhard.
‘The Normative Significance of the Senus Fidei’
This peer reviewed article reflects on the theological and ecclesiological significance of the sensus fidei, a gift from Christ to the Church, sustained by the Holy Spirit.
‘Their Message Goes Forth to All the Earth: Towards a Franciscan-Ecumenical Approach to the Ecological Crisis’
The emphases on dialogue, peacemaking, reconciliation, and care for creation are key charisms within Franciscanism, the ecumenical movement, and contemporary ecological efforts. People involved in the ecumenical effort of eco-conversion would benefit from the strong appeal the spirituality of Francis has across Christian denominations.
Featured Engagements
CATHOLIC PRISON MINISTRIES COMPETENCIES
In 2021, I assisted the USCCB in review and approval of competencies for minister formation and certification for Catholic pastoral care in prison ministries, and for Certified Catholic Correctional Chaplains. Read More.STRATEGIC MINISTRY DURING COVID-19
Reflections and reputable resources for assisting Catholic ministers - clergy and laity - for engaging and planning ongoing responses to the pandemic. Read More.ROME CONFERENCE ON LAY MINISTRY
In 2018, I traveled to Rome to present on best practices for the formation of the laity and lay ministers. The trip included a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Pope Francis. Read More.Request Marc’s Services
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