The College Theology Society holds its fifty-fourth annual convention from May 29 – June 1, 2008 at Salve Regina University, Newport RI. The theme will be Catholic Identity and the Laity. The local coordinator will be Jayme Hennessy. Tim Muldoon from Boston College will be editor for the annual volume.

This announcement invites proposals for papers to be presented in the various seminar sections that form an integral part of the annual meeting. Members are invited to submit paper proposals pertaining to the convention theme or on topics called for by specific sections. Sections welcome all proposals, but papers that are devoted to the convention theme or that relate specifically to the direction set by a particular section may receive priority. Presentations that require computer availability or audio/visual aids should state this clearly in the proposal. No person may submit more than one proposal for consideration nor may submissions to multiple sections be considered. The College Theology Society looks forward to submissions from scholars of all dimensions of theological study.

College Theology Society sections with their Conveners are listed below. Proposals of about 250 words for papers, panels and/or other presentations should be sent to one of the Conveners by December 1, 2007. By December 31, 2007 the Conveners will notify each person who has submitted a proposal whether it is accepted. The program for the annual meeting with housing and transportation information will be posted on the CTS Website in early Spring 2008. The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion will be joining us this year; the NABPR call for papers is included in this posting.

American Catholic Life and Thought:
Co-conveners:
Patrick J. Hayes, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, St. John’s University 300 Howard Av., Staten Island, NY 718-390-4059; hayesp@stjohns.edu
Nicholas Rademacher, Religious Studies Department, Cabrini College, 610 King of Prussia Rd, Radnor, PA 19010 610-902-8419; nrademacher@cabrini.edu
----In accord with the conference theme, the section on American Catholic Life and Thought seeks papers pertaining to Catholic Identity and the Laity: in the public and private sectors; spiritual life; education; lay movements, etc. Topics of specific interest include the lay vocation; single and married life as spiritual practice; lay involvement in Church leadership before and after Vatican II; Catholic Action; gender and sexual issues; lay involvement in U.S. politics, especially related to the upcoming presidential election. As usual, this section also welcomes papers related to the city or region of our conference venue, Newport, Rhode Island, and New England. Given the historical significance of Rhode Island, papers related to religious freedom, ecumenical concerns, and the impact of immigration on the Atlantic seaboard are especially welcome.

Art, Literature and Religion
Christopher D. Denny, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, St.
John Hall B25, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway Queens, NY 11439, 718-990-5609, (F) 718-990-1907; dennyc@stjohns.edu.
----This section welcomes all papers examining religious art (meaning either the visual or performing arts) or religious literature. In accordance with the conference theme “Catholic Identity and the Laity,” we are especially interested in papers that relate religious art and literature to issues centered upon lay Catholics. Particular subtopics of interest include the relationship between art/literature and the experience of Catholic immigrants to the United States, and the portrayal of Catholic laity in 20th century popular entertainment. In addition, as part of a proposed joint session with the Marriage and Family Life section, we are also soliciting proposals treating the subject of Catholic marriage and parenthood in art and literature.

Consultation: Evangelical Catholics and Catholic Evangelicals
Co-conveners:
Christopher McMahon, St. Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650, 724-805-2841, christopher.mcmahon@email.stvincent.edu
Mark Medley, Baptist Seminary of Kentucky, 631 Limestone St., Lexington, KY 40508, 859-455-8191, mark.medley@bsky.org
----This consultation is a collaborative CTS-NABPR effort. It focuses on the challenges and possibilities for doing theology and living the gospel across an increasingly permeable Catholic-Evangelical divide. This year’s session will be limited to one meeting which will revolve around Steven Harmon’s book “Towards Baptist Catholicity.” Several members of CTS and NABPR have already agreed to present responses to the book, and we invite all interested CTS and NABPR members to participate in the discussion. Although we are not accepting any paper proposals for this year’s meeting, we are interested in hearing from members of either society about ideas for the 2009 meeting.

Contemporary Theologies
Colleen Carpenter Cullinan, College of St. Catherine #4290, 2004 Randolph Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105, CCCullinan@stkate.edu
----This section welcomes proposals on all aspects of contemporary theologies. In light of this year's conference theme, we particularly encourage papers addressing issues of Catholic identity and the laity. Questions and issues that might arise include but are not limited to: the reception of Dominus Iesus; the impact on Catholic identity of the growing religious pluralism of much of the U.S.; the role of theology in shaping the identity of Catholic colleges and universities; and differing expressions of Catholic identity in the US/Europe vs. the global south (e.g. Pope Benedict's recent visit to Brazil). Because of the special relevance of the convention theme to this section and Mysticism and Politics, there is also the possibility of a joint session with Mysticism and Politics, addressing the spirituality and social witness of lay associations such as L'Arche, Sant’Egidio, Christian Life Communities, Voice of the Faithful, Call to Action, Opus Dei, etc. Those interested should submit proposals to the section that most fits the thesis of your paper and indicate a preference for the joint session. Conveners in both sections will select papers for the joint session. Please send proposals by December 1st to Colleen Carpenter Cullinan at the above address (email is preferred, but snail mail is fine). Be sure to include all relevant contact information and institutional affiliation with your proposal.

Ethics
Co-conveners:
Stephen Casey, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510; O: 570 941-7590; FAX: 570 941-4309; Caseys1@scranton.edu
Margaret R. Pfeil, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556; O: 574 631-9378; FAX 570 631-4291;Mpfeil1@nd.edu
----The ethics section will entertain first those papers that attend to the meeting theme “Catholic Identity and the Laity.” Other papers dealing more generically with ethics, theoretically and practically, are also invited. Please submit proposals in the body of an e-mail message directed to both conveners, and please list pertinent information, including institutional affiliation (if any) and current status.

History of Christian Life and Thought
Co-conveners:
Jeremy Wilkins, University of St. Thomas, School of Theology, 9845 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77024-3498 Tel: 713 686 – 9845, jwilkin@stthom.edu
Joseph Dougherty, La Salle University, 213 McShain Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19141-1199, Tel: 215-951-1347, F: 215-951-1665; dougherj@lasalle.edu
----History of Christian Life and Thought welcomes proposals dealing with any period of Christian history, and especially papers dealing with historical conflicts and developments bearing on the conference theme, "Catholic Identity and the Laity."

Justice and Peace
Patrick Lynch, S.J. Canisius College, 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208-1098 (O) 716-888-2831; (F) 716-886-6506; lynchp@canisius.edu
Proposals that consider ways in which the laity in their lives and actions for justice and peace shape and promote Catholic identity will have special priority this year. Other proposals related to the themes of justice and peace are also most welcome.

Marriage and Family Life
Mary M. Doyle Roche: Religious Studies Department, College of the Holy Cross, One College Street, Worcester, MA 01610, (508) 793-2585;mroche@holycross.edu.
----This section welcomes any proposal related to the study of marriage and family, including papers relating to the engagement/courtship time, from across theological disciplines. Of particular interest are proposals relating to the conference theme, “Catholic Identity and the Laity.” Potential topics include but are not limited to: ministry to and by couples and families (past, present, future), engaging the social scientific literature on marriage and family, the vocation to marriage and parenthood, and families in the global church.
**** In addition, as part of a proposed joint session with the Art, Literature and Religion section, we are also soliciting proposals treating the subject of Catholic marriage and parenthood in art and literature (including popular entertainment).

Mysticism and Politics
Co-conveners:
Bill Clark, S.J., College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610, Tel: 508 793 2717; wclark@holycross.edu
Maureen O’Connell, Fordham University, Department of Theology, 113 West 60th Street, New York, NY 10023-7484, Tel: 212-636-7674; mhoconnell@gmail.com
----The Mysticism and Politics section explores the dynamic relationship between the experience of God articulated in the mystical traditions and the ethical-political demands of the gospel's call to discipleship. Because of the interdisciplinary character of the subject matter, this section welcomes papers framed from a variety of perspectives including fundamental theology, ethics, spirituality, and Christian activism. In keeping with the theme of our 2008 Convention, "Catholic Identity and the Laity," special consideration will be given to papers that examine the contemplative and political resources of the Christian tradition which empower and orient lay witness--both in Christian history and our contemporary reality. Topics might include but are not limited to: the relationship between contemplation and action in the prophetic witness of individuals or communities, the evolving mystical and political components of lay identity particularly in the context of political and liberation theologies, foundations of lay authority in the community of believers, evaluations of contemporary Catholic discipleship, Catholic identity in our religiously plural public square, etc.
----Because of the special relevance of the convention theme to this section and Contemporary Theology, there is also the possibility of a joint session with Contemporary Theology, addressing the spirituality and social witness of lay associations such as L'Arche, Sant’Egidio, Christian Life Communities, Voice of the Faithful, Call to Action, Opus Dei, etc. Those interested should submit proposals to the section that most fits the thesis of your paper and indicate a preference for the joint session. Conveners in both sections will select papers for the joint session.
----Please email your proposal to both conveners of this section: William Clark (wclark@holycross.edu) and Maureen O'Connell (mhoconnell@gmail.com). Be sure to include all relevant contact information and institutional affiliation with your proposal.

The New Pedagogies (Technological or Experiential), and the Spirituality of Learning
Co-conveners:
Gerald Vigna, Alvernia College, 400 Bernadine Street, Reading, PA 19607, Tel: 610-796-8365, Jerry.Vigna@alvernia.edu
David C. Robinson, S.J., Nestucca Sanctuary, 7200 Christensen Rd., Pacific City, OR 97135, robinson@usfca.edu
----The group continues to explore the evolving intersection of theological pedagogy, spirituality of learning, and technology. We invite submissions that focus on pedagogical developments encompassing various aspects of experiential and ‘virtual’ learning. Explorations of the spiritual dimensions of the educational experience for both teachers and learners are also invited. Related to the 2008 theme, “Catholic Identity and the Laity,” we encourage papers that address the impact of theological instruction on new generations of active lay scholars and teachers, particularly in regard to experiential or immersion-based pedagogies, or the continuing popular conversation concerning the distinction between the “spiritual” and the “religious.” Send proposals electronically to Jerry Vigna and David Robinson, S.J., at jerry.vigna@alvernia.edu and robinson@usfca.edu, respectively.

Philosophy of Religion
Gerald McCarthy, Assumption College. 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609, 508 767 7022, gmccarth@assumption.edu
----Proposals are welcome on any topic discussing the relationship between philosophy and theology, although those dealing with the convention theme, "Catholic Identity and the Laity," are being actively solicited. In light of last year's very successful panel presentations, joint program proposals or book discussions are particularly encouraged.

Psychology and Religion
Lynn Bridgers, College of Santa Fe, 7705 Spring Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, 505-850-3537, lynnbridgers@att.net
----Proposals are invited in any area of the interrelation between theology and psychology, whether theoretical, pastoral or practical. Proposals addressing questions of identity in psychology and religion are particularly welcome. The theme for the conference is “Catholic Identity and the Laity.”
----Psychology and religion meet in the concept of Catholic Lay Identity. Since Erik Erikson’s pioneering work on identity, we recognize the critical role identity plays in faith and in action in the world. Catholic identity for the laity can be considered problematic. How can spiritual and psychological identity be grounded in a role that is defined by virtue of being excluded from the ordained? Papers in two areas are encouraged: (1) those that examine the psychological and religious problematic associated with forming and sustaining Catholic Identity for the laity and (2) how approaches grounded in the mystic, prophet and/or liberator can serve as alternative models for lay formation and identity.

Religion and Society
Co-conveners:
Stephen L. Martin, Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Ave., South Orange, NJ 07079. Tel: 973-761-9481; martinst@shu.edu
KC Choi, Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Ave., South Orange, NJ 07079, Tel: 973-761-9481; choikijo@shu.edu
----This section welcomes all submissions, but papers addressing the conference theme, "Catholic Identify and the Laity," will be given preference. Possible themes include the nature of Catholic identity and/or the role of the laity in pluralistic society from the perspective of thinkers such as John Courtney Murray, S.J.; also, papers dealing with the broader theme of religion and democracy. Please send proposals as e-mail attachments in MS-Word format to both conveners of the section at martinst@shu.edu and choikijo@shu.edu

Scripture
Co-conveners:
Mary Kate Birge, SSJ, Mt. St. Mary’s University, 16300 Old Emmitsburg Rd., Emmitsburg, MD 21727, 301 447 5370, birge@msmary.edu
Regina Boisclair, Alaska Pacific University, 4101 University Drive, Anchorage AK 99508, (O) 907-564-8274, boiscl@alaskapacific.edu
----The Scripture section seeks proposals for individual papers, topical panels and/ or book discussions. We strongly encourage contributions to follow this year’s theme, but proposals on other topics will be considered. Papers or a panel to focus on popular ways of studying and/or praying with scripture is strongly encouraged. Alternatively, papers or a panel concerned with teaching strategies in various settings would also be especially welcomed.

Spirituality
Co-conveners:
Timothy Hessel-Robinson, Brite Divinity School, TCU Box 298130, Ft. Worth, TX 76129;tim.robinson@tcu.edu
Tom McElligott, St. Mary’s College of California. P.O. Box 3031, Moraga, CA. (O) 925-631-4297;tmcellig@stmarys-ca.edu.
----We invite papers that explore the theme of the annual meeting, “Catholic Identity and the Laity.” We encourage an ecumenical approach to the theme whereby Christian identity, especially within lay contexts, can be creatively explored and articulated. Situated within the interdisciplinary field of Christian spirituality, papers may draw on biblical, historical, theological, scientific, political, sociological, psychological, literary, or other relevant disciplinary perspectives that explore Christian spiritual experience and practice. Papers exploring topics in Biblical spirituality are of particular interest for a themed session. Topics unrelated to the annual meeting theme and which are compelling may also be considered. Proposals should be 150-250 words long. Do not send complete texts. Send proposals to Tim Hessel-Robinson: tim.robinson@tcu.edu.

Symbol, Ritual and Sacraments
James T. Cross, Carroll College, Helena MT 59625, 406 447-556, jcross@carroll.edu
----Proposals in the area of sacramental theology are invited. Primary consideration will be given to proposals that also significantly incorporate the theme of the 2008 annual convention. All proposals must have a title, author name(s) and street address(es), and are to be emailed by December 1 to: jcross@carroll.edu. Please also include an estimate of the time span required for your potential presentation. Such acceptance will be communicated to the email address from which the proposal is sent. A formal letter of acceptance, if necessary, may be requested by the proposal author(s).

Theology, Ecology and Natural Science
Co-conveners:
Gloria Schaab, Barry University, 11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161 (O) 305-899-3982; gschaab@mail.barry.edu
Virginia Ryan, Rivier College, 420 South Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060; (O) 603-897-8517; vryan@rivier.edu
----The Theology, Ecology and Natural Science section invites papers and panels that address the influence that the Catholic theological tradition has had on the identity and practices of Catholics with regard to the ecological crisis and environmental justice. In addition, it seeks papers and panels concerning the issues and questions that Catholic laity have raised concerning the perceived conflict between theology and science and possible viable responses to these concerns. Some of the questions that might be addressed are: How has Catholic social teaching on ecology and the environment influenced the practices of Catholic laity? What role ought the theological academy take in addressing the concerns of Catholics about the relationship between science and religion? How might the academy help Christian communities reflect on and act on behalf of the well being of the planet and its inhabitants? Papers considering questions and ideas related to the theme of the annual meeting “Catholic Identity and the Laity” to the intersection among theology, ecology and science are encouraged. Compelling topics not directly related to the annual meeting theme may also be considered.
----Please send proposals by December 1st to Virginia Ryan or Gloria Schaab at the above addresses (email is preferred and a copy to each of the conveners is appreciated). Be sure to include all relevant contact information and institutional affiliation with your proposal.

Theology of the Church
Michael T. Dempsey, St. John’s University, Bent Hall 268, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439, 718-990-1680; dempseym@stjohns.edu
----This section welcomes papers discussing any aspect of the theology of the church—doctrinal, ethical, historical, and social—even if not directly related to the conference theme. However, special attention will be given to papers that address Catholic identity and the laity, as well the relation between Catholic laity and hierarchy, Trinitarian foundations to ecclesiology, social and ethical dimensions, and the relation between Roman Catholic ecclesiology and what can be learned from/taught to Protestant churches and ecclesiology. Please send proposals by email, either (preferred) as a Word attachment or in the body of the email, to: dempseym@stjohns.edu

Women in Religion
Co-conveners:
Harriet Luckman, College of Mount Saint Joseph, 5701 Delhi Road, Cincinnati, OH 45233-1670, 513-244-3253, F: 513-244-4788; Harriet_luckman@mail.msj.edu
Susie Paulik Babka, University of San Diego, susiebabka@sbcglobal.net
----The Women in Religion section is calling for papers on the role of lay women in Catholicism, specifically catholic identity. These papers can cover any area of life and vocation (political, domestic, cultural, artistic, etc) in any time period over the past 2000 years. We would also be interested in papers concerning women in non-western European cultures that were involved in lay life and catholic identity. Please submit your proposals to Harriet Luckman Harriet_Luckman@mail.msj.edu and/or Susie Paulik Babka, by December 15, 2007.

World Religions
John N. Sheveland, Religious Studies Department, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Ave., Spokane, WA. 99258. O. (509) 323-6784. sheveland@gonzaga.edu
----This section invites all proposals related to the study of world religions, especially those which explore some aspect of the conference theme, “Catholic identity and the laity,” or the vocation or role of laity in other religious traditions, or interreligious comparisons of Catholic and non-Catholic appreciations of the laity. Please send proposals as a MS Word attachment in an email or in the body of an email to: sheveland@gonzaga.edu

National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion; Region At Large
Co-conveners:
Brad Kallenberg, University of Dayton, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45469-1530. O. (937) 229-4392; bkallenberg@udayton.edu
Adam English, Campbell University, PO Box 1029, Buies Creek, NC 27506. O. (910) 893-1679; englisha@campbell.edu
----The NABPR Region welcomes proposals from NABPR members and CTS members on topics related to the conference theme of "Baptist Identity and Laity," including the ordination of women, rival accounts of Baptist identity, Catholic assumptions in Baptist identity, race and Baptist identity, Baptist views of sacrament and sacramentalism, Ecumenical dialog between Catholic and Baptists, and “sited” Baptist topics (such as Rhode Island in U. S. Baptist identity or the influence of New England Universities (such as Brown University) on Black Baptist education in the South and West), Scripture and ecclesial identity, construction of Christian identity in New Testament writings, construction of Israel’s identity in Old Testament writings, the laity in scripture, the priesthood of all believers, pastoral “call” and ordination, and similar topics.
----Proposals for joint sessions of NABPR and CTS scholars are especially welcome. Please send proposals by email to Brad and Adam by December 1 for full consideration.

Executive Director, National Conventions: Philip Rossi, SJ, Marquette University, Department of Theology, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee WI 53201-1881; 414 288-7692; fax: 414 288 – 5548; philip.rossi@marquette.edu