College of Saint Benedict Koch Chair in Catholic Thought and Culture
Serving the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
2023 Koch Lecture
Racial Justice & LGBTQ Inclusion:
The Threat of White Christian Nationalism
Presented by Dr. Bryan Massingale
7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Gorecki Dining and Conference Center, College of Saint Benedict
In Catholic discourse, concern for racial justice and LGBTQ inclusion are often treated in isolation. This presentation offers an intersectional approach to racial and sexual justice by exploring the challenge that white Christian nationalism poses to both our democracy and to vulnerable populations. It argues that “seeing and loving the world as God does” requires an uncompromising rejection of the idolatry of Christian nationalism and creating a society where the dignity of all is respected.
Dr. Massingale is a leading African American scholar on racism and social justice. His lecture will focus on the current manifestation of Christian nationalism and envisioning and building a spirituality of resistance against racism. In his teaching, Dr. Massingale specializes in social ethics and focuses upon the impact of religious faith as both an instrument of social injustice and a catalyst for social transformation.
Dr. Bryan Massingale:
- James and Nancy Buckman Chair in Applied Christian Ethics, Professor of Theological and Social Ethics, Senior Fellow, Center for Ethics Education – Fordham University
- President, Society of Christian Ethics
- Catholic Priest, Archdiocese of Milwaukee
This event is sponsored by the Koch Chair in Catholic Thought and Culture in collaboration with Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, the Multicultural Center, Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy, Department of Political Science, Department of Theology, Department of Gender Studies, and Intercultural LEAD & QPLUS Student Organizations.
The Koch Chair in Catholic Thought and Culture recognizes a scholar whose research and teaching involves placing the Catholic intellectual tradition in dialogue with other academic disciplines. The Koch Chair assists the campus community to deepen their understanding of the rich Catholic intellectual and cultural tradition.
About Jennifer Beste
Koch Chair in Catholic Thought and Culture
Professor of Theology
About the College of Saint Benedict Koch Chair in Catholic Thought and Culture
Through an annual lecture and other programming, the Koch Chair provides opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to bring the Catholic tradition into fruitful dialogue with the academic disciplines and explore contemporary issues relevant to Catholic faith and the wider culture.
This approach supports a full range of expertise, from science to the arts and humanities. Consistent with CSB’s commitment to empower female students to realize their full potential and contribute significantly to society, the Koch Chair highlights historical and contemporary women’s contribution to the Catholic intellectual and cultural tradition.
College of Saint Benedict
Saint John’s University
Jennifer Beste
Koch Chair in Catholic Thought and Culture
Professor of Theology
320-363-5934
Catherine Rupp
Department Coordinator
SJU Quad 355A
320-363-3552