Members of the SLC faculty and staff listen intently to Dr. Gilboa

Hi, y’all!

 

On Wednesday, October 15th, I had the good fortune and pleasure to attend the October session of the Faculty Colloquial Series.  It’s held once per month in the quiet study lounge and, though not quite as cool as CPR (shameless plug: CPR next Tuesday, Oct. 21 11:45 AM ***FREE FOOD!***), was addressed to a wide audience and provides the entire community a chance to come together to discuss a topic of general interest.

The topic yesterday was “St. Thomas Aquinas and Capital Punishment,” and was very ably presented by our own Dr. David Gilboa, Assistant Professor of Philosophy.  He took us all the way back to the beginnings of Christian community, and how people of faith have viewed the idea of capital punishment, or the death penalty, over the years.  Particularly influential in the theology of the Roman Catholic Church, the good doctor St. Thomas Aquinas argued that, while we as individuals “shalt not kill,” the state is not likewise hindered in administering God’s justice to supremely sinful persons who show no sign of repentance.

It was quite a lively discussion, with students, faculty and Sisters jumping in on all sides.  Should *you* be interested in the Church’s official teachings today, you may find them under Canon 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, online at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art5.shtml

In November, Sandy Stevens from the Music Department will be talking about “The Celtic Tradition and Beyond.”  This will be a discussion of music, not basketball.  Sorry, guys.    To see the full lineup for this discussion series in the 2008-09 academic year, check out http://www.sl.edu/News/Calendar/Events/colloquium.asp

It’s free.  It’s fellowship.  It’s for all.  Check it out. 

In His Service, and with great affection,

Dan Connolly
danielfconnolly@hotmail.com