New Ulm -  Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J. has accepted an invitation from Bishop John C. Nienstedt to be this year’s presenter at the annual Bishop Lucker Lecture to be held on Thursday, March 2, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. The location is yet to be determined.

Especially renowned for his work in the area of ecclesiology or the nature of the church, Cardinal Dulles will speak on Becoming a Community of Disciples. He will use his theological expertise to reflect upon the New Ulm diocese’s experience of implementing Area Faith Communities and challenge his audience to more effectively carry out the mission of Jesus.

Cardinal Dulles is one of the pre-eminent Catholic theologians in the world. For his scholarship and teaching, he was created a Cardinal in February of 2001 by Pope John Paul II. It is a distinct honor for the diocese to host a speaker of such prominence and esteem. His book, Models of the Church (1974), is a classic to both professional theologians and the person in the pew. The book has been translated into many languages and has been expanded into several new editions.

Since the mid-1970’s, nearly every Catholic in the United States who has become involved in a church ministry or served in a leadership capacity would have some familiarity with his "models."  Both his theology of the "church as a community of disciples" and his "models of the church" were major influences upon the Diocesan Plan for Parishes, 2003-2008.

Avery Dulles was born in 1918, the son of John Foster Dulles who would become Secretary of State in the administration of President Dwight Eisenhower. After attending private schools in Switzerland and New England, he attended Harvard College and Law School before serving as an officer in the Naval Reserve during World War II. After the war, he entered the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1956. He received his Licentiate in Theology from Woodstock College in Maryland and his Doctorate from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He has taught and lectured extensively around the world.  His principal appointments have been to Woodstock College in Maryland, Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and Fordham University in New York where he continues as the Laurence J. McGinley Professor of Religion and Society.

The Bishop Lucker Lecture will conclude with the presentation of the annual Diocesan Distinguished Service Awards by Bishop Nienstedt followed by a reception.  All members of the diocese are encouraged to attend.

For further information contact Mark Kemmeter, Coordinator of Diocesan Staff, (507) 359-2966.