Aquinas Day: Bad Catholics, Good Trouble: Reimagining Catholic History as a Call to Action
What does it mean to be a "bad Catholic"? Catholics who joined the struggle for civil rights in the 1960s were called criminals, and worse, by fellow Catholics who considered themselves the "real, good, sincere" ones. Drawing from his webcomic series Bad Catholics, Good Trouble© Matthew Cressler will share some forgotten stories that reveal how the Catholic tradition has both reinforced oppression and inspired radical witness. From white nuns hit with bricks while marching for justice to Black activists confronting racism in their own church, these stories challenge our standard narratives. Ultimately, his talk will pose the question: What might "good trouble" look like for Catholics and other Christians today?
This annual event is held the last week in January, near the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas Day provides the opportunity for theologians to expand our vision into the future of theological thinking.
Aquinas Day Schedule:
11:00am Worship Service
12:00-1:30pm Afternoon Lunch & Lecture The…
University Event Topic: Religion & Ethics. Department / Organization: Aquinas Center. Speaker/Presenter: Matthew J. Cressler, Ph. D. is a writer, rogue scholar, and chief of staff of the Corporation for Public Interest Technology. He is the author of Authentically Black and Truly Catholic: The Rise of Black Catholicism in the Great Migrations and creator of Bad Catholics, Good Trouble, the educational webcomic series. He's written for America, The Atlantic, National Catholic Reporter, The Revealer, Slate, U.S. Catholics, and numerous academic journals. Event Open To: All (Public). Cost: Free. Contact Name: Tina Guyden. Contact Email: tina.guyden@emory.edu.
Thursday, January 29, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM.
Candler School of Theology, Room 360
1531 Dickey Drive
Atlanta, GA 30322.
Catholic-Orthodox Community Gathering: From Ravenna to Alexandria: Synodality and Primacy
Sponsored by The Aquinas Center's Catholic-Orthodox Initiative.
Program Title: From Ravenna to Alexandria: Synodality and Primacy in Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue
Program Description: This presentation explores the themes of synodality and primacy as articulated in the Catholic-Orthodox dialogue through the Ravenna (2007), Chieti (2016), and Alexandria (2023) statements. It examines how these documents address the balance between collegiality and authority within the Church, highlighting convergences and remaining challenges in ecumenical understanding. The discussion will consider historical, theological, and practical implications for unity.
Doors open at 6:30pm for Happy Hour. Dinner and the program will begin promptly at 7:00pm. Registration is required.
Catholic-Orthodox Initiative: In 2017, the Aquinas Center began a Catholic-Orthodox Initiative, thanks to an endowment by Solon and Marianna Patterson. This Initiative consists of a series of programs and events promoting greater understanding and…
University Event Topic: Religion & Ethics. Department / Organization: Aquinas Center. Speaker/Presenter: Susan K. Wood is professor of systematic theology at Regis College, Toronto School of Theology, at the University of Toronto. She received her Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Marquette University. She has served on national and international official ecumenical dialogues with the Orthodox, Lutherans, and Baptists and is currently a co-moderator of the Peter and Paul Seminar and a member of the St. Irenaeus Working Group. She served as President of the Catholic Theological Society of America 2014-2015 and re… Cost: Free.
Thursday, February 12, 2026, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church
2855 Briarcliff Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329.
Catholic-Orthodox Community Gathering: St. Basil the Great and the Inexorable Demands of t
Sponsored by The Aquinas Center's Catholic-Orthodox Initiative.
Program Title: St. Basil the Great and the Inexorable Demands of the Bible
Program Description: St. Basil of Caesarea was a fourth-century bishop in what is now Türkiye who played a foundational role in the development and understanding of many aspects of the Christian life, including Nicene Trinitarian doctrine, monasticism, and the care of the poor, needy, and sick. In all these endeavors Basil grounded his teaching in the Bible, which he saw as providing unshakeable rule for all Christian doctrine and practice, an exacting guideline for Christian life and belief that is no less pertinent today than it was in his era.
Doors open at 6:30pm for Happy Hour. Dinner and the program will begin promptly at 7:00pm. Registration is required.
Catholic-Orthodox Initiative: In 2017, the Aquinas Center began a Catholic-Orthodox Initiative, thanks to an endowment by Solon and Marianna Patterson. This Initiative consists of a series of programs and…
University Event Topic: Religion & Ethics. Department / Organization: Aquinas Center. Speaker/Presenter: Dr. Mark DelCogliano is Professor of Theology and Chair of the Department of Theology at the University of St. Thomas. Dr. Cogliano also serves as Vice-President/President Elect (2025-2026) of the North American Patristics Society (NAPS). Cost: Free.
Thursday, March 26, 2026, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Transfiguration Catholic Church
1815 Blackwell Road
Marietta, GA 30066.
An Evening with Sr. Norma Pimentel, MJ
This program is presented in partnership with Candler School of Theology's La Mesa Academy of Theological Studies.
Sr. Norma Pimentel, MJ will speak on immigration, human dignity and Catholic Social Teaching.
Webinar Registration: https://emory.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LTPdIcW2Rq69HWWWiuB1aw
St. Catherine of Siena Lecture:
Beginning in 2026, the Aquinas Center’s Major Catholic Speaker Lecture will be renamed the St. Catherine of Siena program. Named for the Dominican saint and Doctor of the Church, St. Catherine of Siena was an advocate through her writings and commitment to dialogue. At the young age of 16, she joined a group of Dominican lay women that were dedicated to prayer and charity. Motivated by her love of the Church, she was tireless in her papal and political advocacy work throughout her later life. She is credited with writing over four hundred letters, in addition to The Dialogue, her most well-known book. Her writings, influence and impact on the Catholic Church cannot be overstated.…
University Event Topic: Theology. Department / Organization: Aquinas Center. Building/Room: Cannon Chapel. Speaker/Presenter: Sister Norma Pimentel, MJ, is the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley and works closely with refugees and migrants along the Texas/Mexican border. It is an honor to welcome her as the speaker at the 2026 Saint Catherine of Siena Lecture, formerly known as the Major Catholic Speaker Lecture. Cost: Free.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Cannon Chapel
Emory University
1531 Dickey Drive
Atlanta, GA 30322.