DCA
Presents
St. Norbert Distinguished Lecture Series
“The Risks and Promises of Forgiveness”
Dr. Paul Wadell
As world conflicts have escalated in recent years, the concept of forgiveness has become a frequent topic for discussion and debate. Ultimately, peace is the goal of all mankind, but the reality of achieving peace is illusive and difficult to understand. In the final St. Norbert Distinguished Lecture of the 2008 series, Dr. Paul Wadell, professor of Religious Studies at St. Norbert College will present “The Risks and Promises of Forgiveness.” Dr. Wadell’s presentation is scheduled to begin at 9 am, Saturday, March 15th at 9:00 a.m. in the Door Community Auditorium.
Dr. Wadell first became interested in the topic of forgiveness through his interactions with “persons whose lives had in many respects been stalled by something needing forgiveness. Some of these hurts ran deep and they struggled with knowing how to move forward without denying or minimizing what had been done to them.
“I also found that whenever I mentioned forgiveness in a class my students immediately paid attention. They were drawn to the subject, and often because of something in their own lives that needed the healing touch of forgiveness,” said Dr, Wadell. “We struggle to understand what forgiveness truly is, how to achieve forgiveness, where it begins. To forgive may not be easy, but it frees us from the toxins of bitterness and resentment.”
In the course of his presentation, Dr. Wadell will provide insights into what constitutes forgiveness, where does forgiveness begin, is it essential that one forgives, and how forgiveness contributes to well-being. “More than anything, I see the poignant need for forgiveness when I am asked to talk to victims of crime. Although it is a difficult talk to give, I am convinced that sometimes the only way for us to reconnect with life is through the risk of forgiveness,” Dr. Wadell concluded.
A member of the St. Norbert College Religious Studies faculty since 1998, Dr. Wadell is a nationally recognized author and expert on religion, friendship, and Christian ethics. He has been quoted in the New York Times newspaper and is a frequent guest speaker at conferences and forums across the United States.
Dr. Wadell has served as chair of the department of Historical and Doctrinal Studies at Catholic Theological Union and taught at the Permanent Diaconate Program, Archdiocese of Chicago; Paul VI Institute of Catechetical Studies, Archdiocese of St. Louis; and the Diocese of Gary Lay Ministry Training Program. His book reviews appear online, including the Lilly Foundation’s website of Programs for the Theological Exploration of Vocation.
The St. Norbert Distinguished Lecture Series is free and open to the public. Contact the box office at 920.868.2728 or visit www.dcauditorium.org for additional information. The DCA is located on Hwy. 42, at the north end of Fish Creek. Ample parking, including handicapped, is adjacent to the Auditorium. The office is open daily from 10 – 3 p.m.; weekend show days from 11 – 3 pm; and one hour before a performance
