In 2015, Pope Francis praised Thomas Merton as a moral prophet, highlighting Merton’s vision of embracing diverse faiths. Like Merton, Pope Francis fosters interfaith dialogue by affirming, and not refuting the truth in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other faith traditions.

The Monk and the Pope

Date/Time:  Mon, Feb 10, 2025 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST

Location:  St. Mark’s College.  5935 Iona Drive, Vancouver, BC.

Pope Francis highlighted the monk & Thomas Merton, whose vision of interfaith dialogue and unity inspires his bridge-building papacy.

 

Pope Francis spoke to the joint session of Congress in Washington in 2015 celebrating America’s moral prophets; he identified the monk and writer Thomas Merton as one of them. Pope Francis shares the comprehensive embrace of a culture of dialogue articulated by Merton so many decades before his own election as pope. Merton realized that he needed to evolve beyond healing the rifts in Christianity and to affirm and not to refute the truth in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, et cetera. And this is precisely what Pope Francis has done with his papacy. The Jesuit disruptor is a bridge to a greater and encompassing unity.

Join us for an inspiring discussion on this thought-provoking lecture!

Dr. Michael W. Higgins is President and Vice-Chancellor Emeritus, St. Jerome’s University in the University of Waterloo (ON), Distinguished Professor of Catholic Thought Emeritus, Sacred Heart University (CT), Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought, University of St. Michael’s College (ON), Senior Fellow, Massey College, University of Toronto. He is also former President of St. Mark’s College.