Conferencia Paluch
October 19, 2026
Time: 19:00 h.
Localización: Old St. Pat’s Meeting Space, 625 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661
Models of Pastoral Leadership for a Synodal Church
As I was about to move to the podium to begin a presentation on synodality, the pastor with whom I had been talking leaned in and whispered, “I have heard people discussing synodality for the past few years, but I still don’t understand what it is. Yet, there is one thing I know for sure, and that is that synodality doesn’t work in my parish.”
That remark motivated me to reflect on people’s perceptions of synodality, that is, on why some people are confused by, reject, or abhor synodality while others talk about it with joy and hope.
In this presentation, you will learn how we can embrace synodal models of leadership in the Church and how doing so can enable the Church to address the pressing pastoral issues of our time. Put simply, I will show how synodality can work and serve as a viable pastoral guide. I will also discuss how we can take confusions, questions, and critiques of synodality seriously while, at the same time, seeing it as something positive, essential, and even constitutive of who we are as Church.
Registración
The lecture is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Sobre el Dr. Harold D. Horell
El Dr. Harold D. Horell es el Catedrático de Teología Margaret and Chester Paluch en la Universidad de Saint Mary of the Lake. Tiene un doctorado en Teología y Educación por el Boston College, un M.T.S. por la Harvard Divinity School y un MA en Filosofía por la Universidad de Dayton. Cuenta con una amplia experiencia en la enseñanza, la investigación y la formación de líderes para la misión apostólica de la Iglesia. El Dr. Horell ha fomentado el diálogo y la colaboración dentro de las comunidades académicas y eclesiales a lo largo de su carrera profesional. Antes de unirse a la comunidad de USML, sirvió durante veinte y un años como miembro de la facultad de la Escuela de Graduados de Relaciones Religiosas y Educación Religiosa de la Universidad de Fordham. Su vocación principal es ser esposo, padre y abuelo.
The Annual Paluch Lecture
La conferencia Paluch es un evento anual ilustre en el panorama intelectual católico, que ejemplifica la búsqueda del conocimiento, la sabiduría y una profunda comprensión de la teología. Conmemora a Margaret y Chester Paluch, devotos patrocinadores de la erudición teológica, y se ha convertido en una cita imprescindible para los académicos, teólogos y fieles por igual.
At its core, the Paluch Lecture is a celebration of theological inquiry, designed to explore the vast and intricate realms of Catholic theology. Each year, the series brings a distinguished scholar, theologian, and expert to share their insights, research, and reflections on the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of theology.
The Paluch Lecture serves as a forum for dialogue, intellectual exchange, and the exploration of the profound intersections between faith and reason. Attendees can deepen their understanding of the Catholic intellectual tradition. The annual Paluch Lecture not only contributes to the academic and theological community but also serves as a beacon of intellectual curiosity, promoting a holistic understanding of the Catholic faith in the context of the broader human experience.
View Photos from Our Spring 2026 Lecture
