Thursday, March 02, 2006

Banquet for Dr. Ralph McInerny launches ambitious Center

The Thomas International Project announces the establishment of The Ralph McInerny Center for Thomistic Studies and invites you to join them at The First Annual Banquet honoring Dr. Ralph McInerny, Saturday, April 1, 2006, 6:30 pm Reception 7:30 pm Dinner. Guest Speaker: Michael Novak. Capital Hilton, 1001 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. R.S.V.P. [Dyann Brown: dyannb_2000@yahoo.com] by March 15th. Black Tie Optional. Honorary Chairs: Jude P. Dougherty, Dean Emeritus, The Catholic University of America; Chris Policinski, President and CEO Land O'Lakes. Inc.

To purchase tickets, journal ads or table sponsorships online, or for further details, visit www.thomasinternational.org or call (301) 983- 2851/973 416-4384.

Pre-banquet Conference on "Natural Law Today," 2:00 pm -- 5:00 pm. Speakers: Ralph McInerny and Hadley Arkes. Conference is free and open to public Location -- US Capitol.

Center's Purpose: The purpose of Center is to foster a renewal of Thomistic studies in the contemporary world. It aims to promote a strong and accurate rereading of Aquinas' philosophy and theology but, at the same time, to make Aquinas' thought fruitfully converse with contemporary culture, especially in the areas of bioethics, legal theory, economics, political theory, literature, science, and sociology.

Ralph McInerny is an important figure among those who have studied, preserved, and handed down Thomistic thought in the late twentieth century. It is very fitting for a new research center on Thomistic studies to be established in his honor and build on his distinguished legacy.

The Center will offer support for research scholars, organizing conferences, providing internet resources, offering courses, sponsoring a journal, and cooperating with like-minded institutes, here and abroad. Eventually, the hope of the Center's sponsors is that it will be the core of a new international university. The Ralph McInerny Center for Thomistic Studies is sponsored by the American Public Philosophy Institute.

No comments: