Conventual Friars Play an Active Role in Newman-Scotus Symposium at Washington Theological Union

Blessed John Henry Newman

This past October, scholars and students attended the first ever Newman-Scotus Symposium at Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. The symposium brought together renowned theologians to discuss similarities in the philosophies of Blessed John Henry Newman and Blessed John Duns Scotus.

An influential Roman Catholic Cardinal from England, John Henry Newman lived from 1801 to 1890. He was a prolific writer and initially an Anglican priest. In the 1840s he was received into the Roman Catholic Church.

Blessed John Duns Scotus became a Franciscan friar as a young man. He most likely hailed from Duns, Scotland and lived between 1265 and 1305. We remember him today for his many scholarly works, but especially for his thoughts on Immaculate Conception.

Blessed John Duns Scotus

Of the many men and women who participated in the Newman-Scotus Symposium, two – Friar Edward Ondrako and Friar James McCurry - were Conventual Franciscans. Friar Edward – as a scholar – has written many books and worked recently at the Franciscan International Study Centre in Canterbury, England. Friar James McCurry is the Minister Provincial of St. Anthony of Padua Province in North America. He formulated a response to the scholars’ presentations and presided at Mass during two-day long symposium.

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