Oblate Institute for Contemporary Spirituality Launches First International Initiative and Forum on Social Justice

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Oblate Institute for the Study of Contemporary Spirituality today announced its first initiative on social justice, Dorothy Day for Today, A Contemporary Model of Compassion in Action: Spirituality, Social Justice and Ethics.  The new forum will be the first social justice conference in Texas that will foster an ongoing dialogue in spirituality and social justice.  The three-day event will take place Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 2015 at the Oblate School of Theology 's Whitley Theological Center in San Antonio featuring Robert Ellsberg and Ron Rolheiser, internationally renowned experts and advocates of change. For a full list of speakers visit Dorothy Day for Today.

In his address to Congress Thursday, Pope Francis lauded activist Dorothy Day for her "social activism and passion for justice."  Day founded the Catholic Worker Movement in 1933 and was one of the first Catholic women to have a profound impact on national worker rights.  Francis celebrated Day's "social activism, passion for justice and for the cause of the oppressed" and cited her as one of four representatives of the American People. Social justice is a leading issue facing the nation and a major concern in today's world. Dorothy Day for Today will be the first in a series of forums where spirituality and social justice meet in response to this need.

"Dorothy Day was a journalist, peace activist, and a convert to Christianity who started a movement to combine direct aid to the poor and homeless with nonviolent action on behalf of peace and justice," said Rev. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI* president of the Oblate School of Theology. "She is invoked today as the primary role-model for virtually everyone, Christian and non-Christian alike, and was a formidable international catalyst in the area of social justice."

Dorothy Day for Today will feature additional keynote addresses by Dr. Patti Radle and Sharon Halsey-Hoover.  Social justice breakout sessions will cover topics on peace and compassion, homelessness, immigration, incarceration, end of life issues and LGBT.  The forum is open to the public, offers 21% discount for advance registration by October 9, and six continuing education credits for social work practitioners. 

Former colleague of Dorothy Day and featured keynote speaker Ellsberg said, "As a laywoman whose faith drove her to stand with the poor, to challenge the social roots of poverty, and who affirmed the principle of gospel nonviolence, she charted a path of Christian discipleship especially suited to our times."

For more information, visit www.iscs.ost.edu.

About the Oblate Institute:

The Institute for the Study of Contemporary Spirituality (ISCS) was founded in 2013 by the Oblate School of Theology to serve as an international center of study to connect the contemporary quest for spirituality with the deep wells of Christian tradition.  ISCS provides academic programs with advanced degrees in spirituality and ministry, multi-level pastoral formation, continuing education and professional development that is led by internationally renowned faculty and leading experts.  For more information, visit iscs.ost.edu.

Note to Editor: Rev. Ron Rolheiser is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

SOURCE Oblate Institute

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http://www.iscs.ost.edu