The goal for this conference is to create a conversation about Vatican II that will emphasize its call for the Church to engage the world in order to promote the unity and solidarity of all the people of God. Building on a central theme of the council, namely the call to respectful and loving dialogue, we want the conference not only to promote conversation within the Roman Catholic Church about the legacy of the council but also to use that opportunity to foster ecumenical discussion between the Roman Catholic Church and those of other faiths. To this end, the conference will coordinate its efforts with the Walsh Institute for Jewish/Catholic Studies (under the guidance of Rabbi John Spitzer) to build a program of sessions, events, and a panel discussion dedicated to interfaith dialogue.

CALL FOR PAPERS:
The conference will use Thursday to bring everyone together for a reception followed by the plenary address to be given by Peter Steinfels who will reflect on the legacy of Vatican II in the United States. We hope that this address will establish the tone of the conference and provide a touchstone for the discussions that follow. Friday and Saturday then will focus on a series of sessions and panels devoted to new scholarship addressing the following topics:

• Historiography of Vatican II
• Theological Influences on Vatican II
• Post-Vatican II RC Theology
• Catholic Social Justice
• The Role of Women in the Church
• The Relationship Between the RC Church and the World Today
• Catholic Higher Education Post-Vatican II
• Interfaith Dialogue Post-Vatican II
•
Paper submissions are invited on all the topics listed above.

INSTRUCTIONS: Submit electronic copies of abstracts (250-300 words). Presenters will be chosen by the conference committee. The committee will be seeking abstracts that best address the central themes of the conference. Selected papers may be invited for inclusion in a projected volume to be based upon the conference proceedings. Abstract submissions are due by October 15, 2011 and acceptances will be made by January 15, 2012.

To submit an abstract, register for the conference, or request on-campus housing, visit the conference website at http://www.walsh.edu/vatican2conference.htm.

Coordinator: Matthew T. Powell, Division of Theology, Walsh University
For further information e-mail vatican2@walsh.edu