UIW Presents 2018 Pierre Lecture

UIW Presents 2018 Pierre Lecture
"¿Dios Bendiga América? Béisbol, Identity, and Competing Theologies of Patriotism,"

San Antonio – The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Religious Studies Department and the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word are proud to present the 16th Annual Pierre Lecture, titled "¿Dios Bendiga América? Béisbol, Identity, and Competing Theologies of Patriotism," (“God Bless America? Baseball, Identity, and Competing Theologies of Patriotism"). 

The lecture will be presented by Dr. Carmen M. Nanko-Fernandez, from 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27 in the UIW Student Engagement Center Ballroom and is free and open to the public.

Nanko-Fernandez is a professor of Hispanic Theology and Ministry and director of the Hispanic Theology and Ministry Program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She is a Latin@ theologian whose scholarship focuses on areas of Latin@ theologies, Catholic social teaching, interreligious, ecumenical and intercultural relations, im/migration, sport and theology, and the intersections between faith and popular culture with particular attention to béisbol/baseball. A past president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS), she received their Virgilio Elizondo Award for “distinguished achievement in theology” in 2012.

In the late 19th century, the USA moved from a nation divided by Civil War to an imperial power, and baseball was part of the construction of a new national identity. Béisbol (baseball) gained traction in parts of Latin America as well, further complicating simplistic narratives of origin and meaning. From a distinctively Latino/a theological perspective, this lecture will explore embedded theologies of nation, played out in contested spaces of stadiums and fields of play. A close look at the protest by Puerto Rican star Carlos Delgado to the singing of God Bless America provides a frame of reference. Such an exploration surfaces critical questions about patriotism and resistance through professional sports

In accordance with the UIW Mission, The Pierre Fund Speaker Series, which began in 2003, brings distinguished women scholars to the UIW campus to address current issues in relationship to social justice, ecology and globalization. This lecture is made possible by a grant from The Pierre Fund of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

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CONTACT:    Margaret Garcia, associate director communications and marketing, (210) 829-6001, mlgarci2@uiwtx.edu