Catholic Studies Program Represented at Princeton Conference

Seton Hall’s Catholic Studies Program is proof that on university campuses, Catholic Studies can be at the vanguard of unity and inclusivity. Members of the Seton Hall community showcased the University’s interdisciplinary, inclusive model at a recent conference at Princeton University.

The impetus behind and operational model of Seton Hall’s Catholic Studies Program fit perfectly with the theme of the Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality’s conference: "A Call for Unity, Inclusivity, and Intersectionality."

"The group that convened for this section of the American Psychological Association’s meeting spans a wide range of philosophical and spiritual vantage points, and we were very pleased to be able to share our experience with others from various traditions," said Ines A. Murzaku, Ph.D., professor, Department of Religion, director, Catholic Studies Program, and founding chair, Department of Catholic Studies.

Meeting just a few steps from the home of Albert Einstein, conference participants had every reason to eagerly anticipate lively, erudite, and practical discussion at the conference of the Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality; the conference did not disappoint. Engendering dialogue was a main goal of the conference, and the varied perspectives participants shared provided plenty of food for thought.

Joining Murzaku in the presentation at Princeton were Mary Landriau, M.S.W.; Stephen B. Kass, M.A., M.N.E.; Allan F Wright, M.A.; and Jasmine DeLeon, ’24. "It was very exciting to be joined by some of our beloved faculty and a current Catholic Studies student in a panel discussion of our successes and challenges, as well as in an exploration of what Catholic Studies programs around the world are doing in the area of inclusivity," Murzaku shared.

She continued, "Through our participation in many initiatives of the International Federation of Catholic Universities, we at Seton Hall are constantly collaborating with Catholic institutions worldwide to develop best practices in bringing an authentic and holistic vision of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition to our students."

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