The Changing Climate of the Church?: Shiva Interfaith Symposium

Shiva Yoga invites you to a Shiva Interfaith Symposia:

The Changing Climate of the Church?
With Professor Francis X Clooney

Date: Sunday, 22nd June 2014   Time: 11-1pm
Location: Shiva Yoga Ashram - 27 Tower Road, Mount Eliza.

Professor Francis X Clooney, a global expert on Hinduism and comparative theology is a priest and Jesuit who lectures at Harvard University. He spoke at the Shiva Symposium in mid-2012 and returns once again to the Shiva Ashram on Sunday 22 June 2014. His topic, ‘The Changing Climate of the Church?’

A reporter wrote recently, “Pope Francis is the most talked-about person on the planet.” Time Magazine named him the person of the year and he is on the cover of Rolling Stone, a bi-weekly magazine that generally focuses on pop culture and politics.

In Australia, we are naturally keen to learn whether the so-called “Francis effect” is a passing phenomenon. Is the ‘Francis Era’ likely to bring greater accord between the institutional church and the people? Pope Francis has himself suggested, “Open the doors and do something there, where life calls for it. I would rather have a church that makes mistakes for doing something than one that gets sick from being closed up.” Do his words actually signal a radical change in the Church’s approach? Is he likely to re-consider the role of women in the Church or open the doors to theological explorations or encourage deeper encounters with other religious traditions?

About Shiva Symposia: Programs focused on the history and ideas of spirituality, where guest speakers are invited to talk about their area of expertise. The goal is to share information and ideas and to invite thought-provoking discussion. Since the program’s creation in 1999, Shiva Yoga has hosted over 90 speakers. A symposium typically involves a presentation by the guest speaker, discussion and question and answer sessions with the audience.