Annual Wade Lecture to be delivered during interdisciplinary symposium

The Rev. William Kurz, S.J., will deliver the Rev. Francis Wade, S.J., Chair lecture at Marquette University Friday, Sept. 25, at 10:30 a.m. in the Raynor Memorial Libraries’ Beaumier Conference Center, 1355 W. Wisconsin Ave. Father Kurz, fall 2009 Wade Chair, will speak on “Jesus and His Spirit-filled Disciples, especially Paul, as the Isaian Servant of the Lord in Acts.” The lecture keynotes a day-long interdisciplinary symposium, “Theological Interpretation of Scripture,” sponsored by the departments of Philosophy and Theology and the Simmons Fund at Marquette.

Father Kurz specializes in the critical explanation and interpretation of the New Testament. He has authored seven books and monographs and more than 40 articles, and is currently writing a theological commentary on Acts for a 16-volume Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Father Kurz received his Ph.D. from Yale University in 1976 and has been a professor of theology at Marquette since 1975.

Rev. Robert Barron will deliver “Biblical Interpretation and Theology: A Meditation on Ireneaus, Modernity and Vatican II” at 4 p.m. during the symposium. Father Barron is the Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at Mundelein Seminary and director of “Word on Fire,” a global media ministry.

The symposium is free to attend, but registration is required. Contact Dr. Catharine Malloy, program coordinator for the Rev. Francis Wade, S.J., Chair, at (414) 288-4022 to register.

About the Wade Chair

The Wade Chair was established to honor Rev. Francis C. Wade, S.J., a longtime member of the Marquette Jesuit community and Department of Philosophy. He became and remained a favorite teacher and role model at Marquette for 40 years. As a well-published, student-oriented scholar, he supported other faculty and guided the Department of Philosophy to a position of scholastic renown. In 1988, the university received a gift from the Marquette Jesuit Community endowing a Chair named in his honor in recognition of his contribution to both the university and Jesuit community.

Media wishing to speak to Father Kurz should contact Andy Brodzeller in the Office of Marketing and Communication at (414) 288-0286 or andrew.brodzeller@marquette.edu.