LATROBE, PA – On July 3, The Center for Catholic Thought and Culture (CCTC) at Saint Vincent College held its second annual seminar on the American Regime and Catholic Social Thought and Practice at the Fred Rogers Center. In conjunction with the organization Fides et Ratio Seminars, this year’s theme included discussions on Abraham Lincoln and Catholic Thought during his presidency.
Dr. Jerome C. Foss, Professor of Politics and Endowed Director of the Center for Catholic Thought and Culture, moderated the weeklong seminar of plenary and group discussions. Paul Jackson, Executive Vice President and Director of Advancement at Thomas More College in New Hampshire, helped organize and moderate the sessions.
While most of the week’s discussion centered on Lincoln and the speeches he gave during his presidency, the group read other primary source materials about Catholics living in America during the Civil War. “We wanted to focus primarily on Lincoln, but also wanted to get a sense of what Catholics were doing during the Civil War,” explained Foss.
One such source was Fr. James Sheeran’s journal, which he kept while serving as a chaplain for the Confederacy. Readings and conversation also stemmed around the exchanges between Boniface Wimmer, the founder of Saint Vincent College, and President Lincoln concerning the draft of many monks who were part of the Saint Vincent Archabbey.
Welcoming participants from all over the world, the group brought a mix of backgrounds and perspectives. “Conversation was very lively all week,” said Foss. “It was a great week, and we’re excited to continue with the seminars over the next couple years.”
The CCTC welcomed 30 exclusive participants on campus representing a variety of academic disciplines including philosophy, music and science. Practicing lawyers, high school educators and political figures joined the seminar as well. Among the participants included former Congressman Daniel Lipinski, representative for the 116th district in Illinois.
The attendees included:
Kyle E. Albarado, John Paul the Great Academy
Katie Brizek, University of Illinois at Chicago
Kevin Burns, Christendom College
Nikola Derpich, L.C., S.Th.D., Legionaries of Christ
Thomas Cole, Holy Spirit Preparatory School
Tony Francois, practicing attorney in California
David Franks, Boston Trinity Academy
Jonathan Fuqua, Conception Seminary College
Elizabeth Goyette, Baylor University
Justin Hernandez, O.S.B., Conception Academy
Mary Imparato, Belmont Abbey College
Kevin Jones, Alaska Pacific University
Patrick Jones, Catholic University of America
Michael Krom, Saint Vincent College
Daniel Lipinski, Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives
Steve Mirarchi, Benedictine College
Nikolas Nikas, Bioethics Defense Fund
Nathan Orlando, Benedictine College
John Antonio Pascarella, Utah State University
Gian Parham, Mount Carmel High School, Belize
Maria Arcara, George Mason Law School
Kaitlin Repp, Saint Vincent College
Richard Sherlock, Utah State University
Benjamin Slomski, Purdue Fort Wayne
Duston Stout, Our Lady of Wisdom Church and Catholic Student Center
Gerriet Suiter, Duquesne University
Adam Tate, Clayton State University
Matthew Walz, University of Dallas
Telia Mary U. Williams, Northern Illinois University College of Law
Carl Vater, Saint Vincent College
Nick Jobe, Seton Hill University