Conference on American Catholicism to Examine Distinguished Career of Professor David O’Brien

Scholars, theologians, social activists, members of religious orders and professors from across the country will gather on the Holy Cross campus for a conference titled “Shaping American Catholicism” on April 13-14 at the Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture that will explore the major themes in the life and work of David J. O’Brien, professor of history and Loyola Professor of Roman Catholic Studies at the College. The conference, co-sponsored by the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism, University of Notre Dame, is being held in honor of O’Brien’s many contributions to scholarship and teaching.

After nearly 40 years of teaching American Catholic history and Catholic social and political thought in Holy Cross classrooms, O’Brien will retire at the end of the academic year.

His long teaching career has been accompanied by national recognition and acclaim. One of the first scholars to specialize in American Catholic history, O’Brien is widely published. A frequent lecturer, he is the recipient of many honors and awards for his work. He has also been at the forefront of social causes and activism since the Vietnam War protests.

The first day of the conference will feature presentations by John McGreevy, professor of history, University of Notre Dame; William Portier, chair in Catholic theology, University of Dayton; and Leslie Woodcock Tentler, professor of history, Catholic University of America. That evening’s principal address will be delivered by John Carr of the department of social development and world peace, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and longtime friend of O’Brien’s.

The following day, in addition to the two panels — “Directions for a Next Generation in American Catholic History” and “Public Catholicism: Peace, Politics, and Social Ministry” — students and faculty from the Holy Cross history department will gather to discuss O’Brien’s emphasis on the study of history, on intellectual engagement, and on social activism.

Among the scheduled panelists are: Margaret O’Brien Steinfels, former editor of Commonweal and founding co-director of the Fordham University Center on Religion and Culture; Paula Kane ’80, chair of Catholic studies, University of Pittsburgh; James McCartin, associate director, Center for Catholic Studies, Seton Hall University; and Claire Schaeffer-Duffy, of Saints Francis & Therese Catholic Worker House in Worcester.

The conference itself is free of charge to all who wish to attend. The cost for the Friday evening reception and dinner, and Saturday lunch, is $45. For more information, call the Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture at 508-793-3869.

For the entire schedule of events, visit: http://www.holycross.edu/departments/crec/website/obriencelebr.htm.

More Background

David O’Brien received a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in American history from the University of Rochester. After five years at Loyola College in Montreal he came to Holy Cross in 1969.

He has written extensively on U.S. Catholic history, on Catholic social and political thought and on Catholic higher education. His major publications include: American Catholics and Social Reform: The New Deal Years (Oxford, 1968); The Renewal of American Catholicism (Oxford, 1972); Renewing the Earth: Catholic Documents on Peace, Justice and Liberation (co-editor, Doubleday, 1977); Faith and Friendship: Catholicism in the Diocese of Syracuse, 1886-1986 (Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, 1987); Public Catholicism (Macmillan, 1988); Isaac Hecker (Paulist, 1991).

O’Brien has served as president of the American Catholic Historical Association and has been awarded six honorary degrees. In 1992 he received the Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for Distinguished Service to Catholic Higher Education from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and in 2005 he received the University of Dayton Marianist Award which is presented annually to “a Roman Catholic who has made an outstanding contribution to scholarship and intellectual life.”

He had a major leadership role as a staff member for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops’ landmark Call to Action Conference in 1976. Over the years he has served on many boards of Catholic organizations and publications, while his commentaries on politics, war and church affairs have appeared in many publications.

O’Brien was the founding director of the Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture at Holy Cross. He also developed the Peace and Conflict Studies concentration, a multidisciplinary program for students who wish to complement their major field of study with courses focused on peace, conflict, justice and human dignity. He and his wife Joanne have four children and four grandchildren and live in Jefferson, Mass.

While his Holy Cross classroom teaching will conclude upon his retirement, O’Brien plans to continue to write and lecture.