Tutors Participate in Second “Gathering of Theologians” with Archbishop Gomez

Four members of the Thomas Aquinas College teaching faculty — Dean Brian T. Kelly and tutors Katherine M. Gardner, Jared P. Kuebler, and Paul K. Shields — recently participated in a gathering of theologians at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Conference Center, hosted by the Most Rev. José H. Gomez.

For this, the second such gathering in two years, Archbishop Gomez invited theologians from colleges and universities throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, including all four Catholic institutions — St. John’s Seminary, Loyola Marymount University, Mount St. Mary’s College, and Thomas Aquinas College.

“Archbishop Gomez is one of four American bishops who will participate in the Synod on the Family in Rome in October,” explains Dr. Kelly. “So he asked us to help advise him in order to prepare him for his participation.”

The March 20 gathering began with the Archbishop’s opening prayer and welcome, followed by small discussion groups of about six scholars each. “We considered five questions in all, with a focus on how to talk about issues relating to the family in a constructive way, how can we promote the treasure of knowledge that the Church has about these issues, and still reach out to people who are in difficult situations,” says Dr. Kelly. The full group then discussed the smaller groups’ findings, before reconvening for a reception and dinner at the Archbishop’s residence.

“It was a day to build bridges between the Archbishop and the theology teachers in the Archdiocese,” says Dr. Kelly. “It was a very good event in that way, and it will bear fruit over the years.”