New video series discusses COVID-19 from a Catholic viewpoint

The Centre for Advanced Research in Catholic Thought at King’s (CARCT) has developed a series of videos, entitled “Spiritual Resources in a Time of Pandemic: A Catholic Reflection Series.” The video series, which can be found on CARCT’s website, is designed to provide the King’s community and beyond with spiritual and theological resources to help think through the big questions that are arising with the emergence of COVID-19 in our world. 

The videos, which replace CARCT’s annual conference, focuses on three key Catholic themes: hope, resiliency, and mortality. Topics the series will explore include, "What does hope look like in a time of pandemic?", "How do we nurture resilience to help us through these challenging times?", and "How might the Catholic tradition assist us with thinking about mortality?", a reality that is raised by this disease in an ever-pressing way.

The series begins with an introductory video, hosted by Dr. Carolyn Chau, Director of CARCT and Associate Professor, Religious Studies at King’s.

The series continues with:

• Dr. John Dool, Board Member of CARCT and Professor of Theology of St. Peter’s Seminary, discussing Hope In a Time of Pandemic.
• Dr. Chau discussing Resilience in a Time of Pandemic.
• Professor John Heng, Board Member of CARCT and Assistant Professor, Philosophy, Thanatology, and Disability Studies at King’s discussing Mortality in a Time of Pandemic.

“We want to be a source of support to the King’s community and beyond during this challenging time and offer Catholic theological resources to aid anyone who may be struggling with how to make meaning of the pandemic and the existential questions it has raised for us all,” says Dr. Chau.

The Centre for Advanced Research in Catholic Thought has as its mission the promotion of critical research in constructive theology and related areas, including biblical studies, hermeneutics, and ethics. In particular, it honours and promotes the mutually enhancing dialogue between philosophy and theology. The Centre seeks to create a space for the critical appropriation of the Catholic theological tradition and the exploration of creative responses to challenges in contemporary society and the global church. Through lectures, study-days, conferences, and seminars, the Centre provides a forum for dialogue among scholars from Canada and abroad. Offering a specifically theological contribution, the Centre highlights the commitment of King's University College to the Catholic intellectual and educational tradition.

For more information on the Centre for Advanced Research in Catholic Thought, please visit their website.