Saint John the Theologian Dictating to Prochorus, Greek Artist, 16th century, The Walters Art Museum Baltimore, CC0
The Conference
The V Truth of Love Conference “The Love of Truth and the Truth of Love – The Mission of Catholic Theology” explores theology as a “science of love” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux), a rigorous yet prayerful pursuit of divine wisdom, who is both truth and love itself (John 14:6; 1 John 4:8).
What does it mean for the mind to seek the truth of faith when that truth presupposes love for the Incarnate Lord? Conversely, what does it mean to love the Incarnate Lord when such love presupposes knowledge of the one who “first loved us” (1 John 4:19)? If saving truth descends to us in love from the “Father of lights” (James 1:17), how should we understand the relationship between truth and love in our response?
The Fifth Annual Truth of Love Conference explores these questions through the lens of “love seeking understanding”—the love of God within us striving for ever-deeper knowledge of the Beloved. Featuring distinguished speakers, the conference will address this fundamental relationship in itself and in connection with some of the most pressing theological discussions of our time, including:
– Theology and sexual difference
– Theology and creation
– Theology and synodality
– Theology and history
– Theology and Scripture
– Theology and culture
– Theology and politics
Deacon Frederick C. Bauerschmidt, professor of theology at Loyola University of Maryland, and Father José Noriega, co-founder of the Veritas Amoris Project, will be the two keynote speakers. They will speak on the relationship between charity and truth as well as charity and theology.
The event will also feature several well-known and high level Catholic speakers including Dr. D.C. Schindler, associate professor of metaphysics and anthropology at the John Paul II Institute; Dr. Michael Waldstein, professor of theology at Franciscan University; Dr. Oana Gotia, professor of moral theology at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary; Dr. Stephen Hildebrand, theology professor and vice president for Academic Affairs at Franciscan University; Dr. Matthew Muller, director of the Symposium on Transforming Culture at Benedictine College; Dr. Katarina Westerhorstmann, professor of theology and moral ethics at Franciscan University; Father Edmund Waldstein, monk of the Cistercian Abbey of Stift Heiligenkreuz in Austria and lecturer in moral theology at the abbey’s theological college; and Dr. Andrew Jones, assistant professor of theology at Franciscan University.
“Like our PhD in Sacred Theology Program here at Franciscan University, this annual conference is becoming a place inspired by the classical understanding of a theologian, where we are steeped in Scripture and Tradition, engage in passionate, charitable, and rigorous discussion of them, and ultimately prepare ourselves to go out and serve Christ and the Church, to teach the teachers of the faith and so carry out the work of evangelization,” said conference organizer Dr. Jacob Wood, associate professor of theology and director of the PhD program in sacred theology at Franciscan University.
A special dinner to honor Michael Waldstein will also be held on July 13 and additional talks on the Eucharist in the Gospel of John will be presented on the morning of July 14 by Dr. Michael Waldstein; Father Michael Scanlan Professor of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at Franciscan University Dr. Scott Hahn; and Franciscan University theology professor Dr. John Bergsma.
Call for Papers
The conference will feature plenary addresses on the relationship between Truth and Love in itself, as well as exploring that relationship across some of the most pressing issues in theology today: theology and sexual difference, theology and creation, theology and synodality, theology and history, theology and Scripture, theology and culture, and theology and politics. We welcome proposals for individual papers, as well as sessions, on these and related topics.
For individual papers, please submit the title of your paper and a 250-300 abstract to Nicholas Riccardi at nriccardi@franciscan.edu.
For sessions of three (3) papers, please submit a title/abstract for each paper, as well a title for the session.
Deadline for Submission: June 1, 2025