FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities Teams with Interfaith Youth Core to Explore the Future
of Religious Pluralism on Catholic Campuses
Educators Invited to Attend “Interfaith Cooperation: Leadership Practices at Catholic Colleges and Universities”,
January 29–30, 2016, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 1150 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC, in Conjunction with the
2016 ACCU Annual Meeting.
Chicago, IL & Washington, DC —Last year marked the 50-year anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the historic Vatican
II statement on interfaith relations that outlined the Church’s posture toward non-Christian religions. Today, that
bold commitment to religious pluralism is shaping the college experiences of countless young people across the
country at a time when the religious makeup of incoming students is highly diverse and concerns of interreligious
understanding more salient than ever.
Institutions like Dominican University, DePaul University, and Rockhurst University have recognized these
dynamics, launching innovative initiatives to bring students together across lines of religious and worldview
difference, often with encouraging results. A survey of student attitudes from the 2011 to 2014 academic years
shows that 55 percent of students on Catholic campuses report high levels of religious diversity there, and that
Muslim students in particular experience a higher level of acceptance on Catholic campuses than on non-Catholic
campuses. With these trends at the fore, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and Interfaith
Youth Core are convening educators to explore the future of interfaith efforts in Catholic higher education.
Campus staff, faculty, and administrators are invited to attend “Interfaith Cooperation: Leadership Practices at
Catholic Colleges and Universities,” a two-day gathering to investigate the Catholic case for religious pluralism
and explore practical ways to advance it on campus.
“Catholic colleges and universities live a spirit of ‘radical hospitality,’” explains Michael Galligan-Stierle, President,
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. “As Catholic universities, we are inclusive and welcoming by
our very nature. Interfaith cooperation is something that comes easily to many individuals at our institutions. Our
emphasis on and openness to spiritual growth—among all students, regardless of faith tradition—is a quality of
which we are particularly proud.”
Galligan-Stierle also called attention to Pope Francis’s recently released video on inter-religious dialogue. “As an
association of more than 200 Catholic colleges and universities, we join with the Holy Father in his desire ‘that
sincere dialogue among men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice.’” (See the
papal video online at http://apostleshipofprayer.org/whats-on-the-popes-heart/.)
The January gathering is designed to create a cohort of Catholic interfaith leaders, connecting educators across a
spectrum of experience and networking those pioneering institutions with less experienced ones. Participants will
discuss Catholic higher education’s theological and mission-related basis for interfaith cooperation, consider
curricular and co-curricular strategies for engaging religiously diverse student populations, and map out the future
of this increasingly popular interest area.
A mix of plenaries, panel discussions, and small group breakout sessions, the gathering will include insights and
shared experiences from a wide range of institutions. Featured speakers include Mark Laboe, Vice President for
Mission & Ministry, DePaul University; Melanie Prejean-Sullivan, Director of Campus Ministry, Bellarmine
University; Claire Noonan, Vice President for Mission & Ministry, Dominican University; Carol Ziegler, Special
Assistant for Mission Effectiveness, Notre Dame College; Donald Taylor, President, Cabrini College; and Judith
Maxwell Greig, President, Notre Dame de Namur University. A discussion around leadership practices and
emerging trends in Catholic interfaith work will be led by Galligan-Stierle and Eboo Patel, President and Founder,
Interfaith Youth Core. Interested participants can learn more about the event and its learning outcomes on the
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities website.
“Catholic colleges and universities are doing incredible work living out the spirit of Nostra Aetate in 2016,” says
Patel. “As demographics shift, these institutions are serving an increasing number of non-Catholic and minority
religious students and that’s a turning point for many. We’re looking forward to hearing and sharing Catholic
educators’ perspectives on how they can meet their students’ needs in authentically Catholic ways.”
This gathering is designed for small delegations of faculty, staff, and administrators from ACCU campuses and is
a pre-conference event ahead of the 2016 ACCU Annual Meeting. Individual attendees will be accepted,
however. Interested parties can visit the event website or contact Rev. Joe Morrow at Interfaith Youth Core for
more information: joe@ifyc.org.
About IFYC
Interfaith Youth Core is a movement-building organization working to make interfaith cooperation a social norm, beginning on
college and university campuses. Through our people, programs and partnerships we’re engaging the higher education sector
to ensure that emerging leaders leave college as interfaith leaders, with the skill set and knowledge base required participate
in a religiously diverse civil society.
We work across the ecology of a campus, offering direct support and unique resources to students, staff, and faculty members
who are doing excellent interfaith work. Our programs include student social action campaigns and trainings, capacity building
engagements, resources to help faculty and staff, and assessments to measure campus climate. Beyond college, we help
connect our network of alumni with leadership opportunities throughout life.
IFYC Media Contact: Nasser Asif
nasser@ifyc.org
Director of Communications, IFYC
(312) 573-8918 office
(573) 823-8315 mobile
About ACCU
The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, founded in 1899, serves as the collective voice of U.S. Catholic higher
education. Through programs and services, the Association strengthens and promotes the Catholic identity and mission of its
member institutions so that all associated with Catholic higher education can contribute to the greater good of the world and
the Church.
Through research, publications, conferences, consultations, special programs, and standing relationships with other agencies,
ACCU encourages and facilitates sharing of ideas and cooperative efforts among its member institutions. The Association also
actively works with other Catholic organizations, as well as maintaining national, international, and ecumenical relations with
other higher education–related agencies, the Catholic and secular media, and organizations conducting research concerning
Catholic higher education.
ACCU Media Contact: Paula Moore
pmoore@accunet.org
Associate Vice President, Communications, ACCU
(202) 457-0650 office