Ramapo Distinguished Professor To Attend
Parliament of World Religions
(Mahwah) - Dr. Anthony T. Padovano, a distinguished professor of literature and philosophy at Ramapo College of New Jersey will represent the College at the Parliament of World Religions to be held in Barcelona, Spain July 7 through July 13.
The theme for the fourth Parliament of World Religions is Pathways to Peace: the Wisdom of Listening, the Power of Commitment." Through listening and making a commitment, the participants, who represent the world's major religions, hope to deepen spirituality, foster mutual understanding and respect in the midst of diversity and broaden the sense of community to seek peace, justice and sustainability.
Padovano says when religions meet, they not only discuss God and meaning, but also world debt, ecology, population issues, nuclear disarmament, human rights and education. The Parliament of World Religions has met only three times in the past 110 years. Padovano attended the third Parliament held in Cape Town, South Africa in 1999. The professor, who is also a priest, notes that attendees were addressed by Nelson Mandela and by the Dalai Lama. These two speakers," says Padovano, one from the political world, the other identified with a major religious tradition, found common ground. They saw political consequences in religious structures and religious consequences in political life."
The professor believes the knowledge gained at the Parliament will augment Ramapo College courses by addressing the academic study of religions, their history, politics and influence. The perspective gained will also help to shape a philosophy and religious studies major the College is planning to offer. Furthermore, the Parliament is an influence in Padovano's efforts to create an international and interreligious Chapel of Peace on the Ramapo campus.
Padovano received training as a theologian and a doctorate in theology at Gregorian University and as a philosopher at St. Thomas International University, both in Rome, and completed doctoral studies in literature at Fordham University in New York.
Collections of his personal and professional papers, the Padovano Papers," are in the archives of Notre Dame University. Padovano has lectured internationally and is the author of 28 books, including three award-winning plays, and 200 articles. His work has been translated into Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. He is the appointed Catholic pastor of The Inclusive Community, where Catholics and Protestants worship together. Padovano is a former president and active ambassador of CORPUS, the National Association for a Married Priesthood.
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