Latinx theology expert to speak at Benedictine University Oct. 20-21

Benedictine University in Lisle will host distinguished Catholic theologian Dr. Natalia Imperatori-Lee for two lectures exploring the diversity of global Catholicism and the challenges faced by women in today's Church.

"Oye: The Role of Latinx Communities in Our Storied Church" will be explored at 7 p.m. (Central Time) Wednesday, Oct. 20.

It will be followed on Thursday, Oct. 21, with "Listen: What #MeToo and #ChurchToo Can Teach the Catholic Church" at 12:20 p.m. (CT)

Both lectures will be delivered via Zoom. The public is invited to attend by registering in advance at www.ben.edu/news/.

"Dr. Imperatori-Lee is a leading figure in Roman Catholic intellectual life today," says Dr. Peter Huff, Chief Mission Officer and Professor of Theology at Benedictine University. "Her cutting-edge work reminds us of the vibrant diversity in the both the U.S. church and the global Catholic community. We are honored to welcome her to Benedictine."

Dr. Imperatori-Lee comes to Benedictine University as the Visiting Scholar in Catholic Thought for 2021-2022. She is Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Catholic Studies program at Manhattan College in New York.

Her research concentrates on Catholic ecclesiology, popular religion, theological trends in the Spanish-speaking world, and the relationship of women, the poor, and other marginalized groups to church structures.

Dr. Imperatori-Lee's appearance at Benedictine is sponsored by the university's Center for Mission and Identity and funded by a generous grant from the St. Procopius Abbey Centennial Fund.