Mural by Ricardo Mendoza, Photo Courtesy of Sourena Parham

A Communion of Creation: Latinxs, Environmental Racism, and the Struggle for Ecological Justice

2018 ACHTUS Colloquium
June 3-6, 2018
Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre
Indianapolis, IN

ACHTUS invites you to join us for our 2018 colloquium in Indianapolis, Indiana from June 3-6. Particularly after 2017, a year in which we witnessed additional calamities related to climate change, a Latinx discussion of environmental crises, especially as they emerge in tandem with racial and socio-economic injustices, could not be more pressing. Rooted in our Midwestern location this year and critically engaging Catholic traditions (including Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’) as well as the wisdom of grassroots communities struggling for justice, we will work together to understand, articulate, and practice theological visions for just ecologies.

All attending are invited to Sunday evening’s welcome, opening mass, and reception, which will begin at 6:00pm. We will conclude following the Enlace and a closing prayer at noon on Wednesday, June 6. A draft of the colloquium program is available at the bottom of this page.

(1)HOUSING: If you are staying at the Sheraton, here is some information to keep in mind:

a. Guestroom reservations may be canceled up until 3:00pm two (2) days prior to arrival date without charge.

b. Check-in time is 3:00 pm and check-out time is 12:00pm. If your schedule requires an earlier check-in or a later check out, please check with the hotel. There may be an additional charge.

c. The Sheraton City Centre offers ACHTUS guests multiple amenities: complimentary internet access; a reduced self-parking rate of $15 every 24 hours; free use of the hotel’s fitness center.

(2) TRANSPORTATION: The area airport is the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) which is located 15 miles southwest of the Sheraton City Centre (20-25 minute drive).

a. IndyGo bus service’s Route 8 travels every half hour to downtown, and will get you within a 0.4 mile walk from the Sheraton City Centre for $1.75 each way. For more information on route descriptions, trip planning and pricing, call IndyGo at 317-635-3344 or visit indygo.net

b. Go Green Shuttle is an airport shuttle service that will take you to downtown Indianapolis for $10 (one way); the Sheraton City Centre is stop 6 on the downtown route. For more information and reservations see https://www.goexpresstravel.com/indy_express or call 1-800-589-6004. Reservations are advisable but not required.

c. Taxis, Uber, or Lyft. Taxis may be hailed on the lower level of the terminal just outside of baggage claim. Press the green call button once outside. When using Uber or Lyft for pick-up, exit the terminal to the Ground Transportation Center on the first floor of the Terminal Garage and hail them using their apps. Uber or Lyft will drop you off at the Main Terminal building for your return flight.

(3) ACHTUS MEMBERSHIP DUES: If you are an ACHTUS member you must be current in your membership by the start of the Colloquium. Present members who have not yet paid either their 2017 and/or 2018 dues may renew their membership by paying their 2017 ACHTUS dues by check only, and their 2018 ACHTUS dues by check or (preferably) online at http://achtus.latinocatholic.com/achtus-dues/.

ACHTUS dues for 2018 are based on income; pay according to the appropriate category below:

Category

Income Range

Dues

1

$0-$29,999

$50.00

2

$30,000–$89,999

$75.00

3

$90,000 or more

$100.00

If you are unsure of what you owe, please email Dr. Gilberto Ruiz, ACTHUS Treasurer, at achtus.treasurer@gmail.com. Dues payments by check should be made payable to ACHTUS and sent to:

Dr. Gilberto Ruiz
100 Saint Anselm Drive #1618
Manchester, NH 03102-1310

Invited ACHTUS guests do not need to become members. However, if they wish to become members they should contact the ACHTUS Secretary, Dr. Hosffman Ospino, at ospinoho at bc dot edu, for further instructions. New membership applications will be considered by the ACHTUS board and the membership at our annual business meeting.

Should you have any questions or concerns please contact me, Jacqueline M. Hidalgo, ACHTUS President Elect, at jacqueline dot hidalgo at williams dot edu. Thank you so much for your cooperation. I look forward to seeing you in Indianapolis!

 

A Communion of Creation:

Latinxs, Environmental Racism, and the Struggle for Ecological Justice

ACHTUS Colloquium 2018

Schedule Draft
June 3-6, 2018
Sheraton City Centre, Indianapolis, IN

Sunday, June 3, 2018

9:00am-4:00pm   ACHTUS Board Meeting
6:00-7:00pm Welcome and Opening Worship
Eddie de León, CMF, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Preaching and Director of Intercultural Outreach, Catholic Theological Union
7:00-9:00pm Opening Reception and Installation of ACHTUS president

Moderator: Claudia H. Herrera, Director of Campus Ministry and Adjunct Faculty, School of Theology and Ministry, St. Thomas University

Special Guest: Eva Sánchez, SEIU, Indianapolis, IN

Monday, June 4, 2018

8:45am-9:00am Morning Prayer
9:15am-11:45am Conjunto Session 1: Environmental Racism and Ecological Justice
Nelson Araque, Theology Instructor, Cardinal Gibbons High School, Fort Lauderdale FL: “Environmental Refugees and the Human-Environment Relationship”
Christopher Carter, Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Studies, University of San Diego: “Blood in the Soil: The Racial, Racist, and Religious Dimensions of Environmentalism.”
Moderator: Francisco Castillo, Senior Editor and Multicultural Specialist for RCL Benziger Publishing and Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies in the Communications and Humanities Department, Broward College
11:45am-1:15pm Lunch
1:15pm-3:45pm Conjunto Session 2: Ecological Justice and Early Jewish and Christian Thought
Ahida Calderón Pilarski, Associate Professor and Chair of Theology, Saint Anselm College: “What Do Prophets Have to Say about Poisoned Water? A Latino/a Reflection on Household Rules and the Incident in Flint.”
Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández, Professor of Hispanic Theology and Ministry and Director of the Hispanic Theology and Ministry Program, Catholic Theological Union: “Real-izing Escatalogía: Creation, Recreation, y la Nueva Creación.”
Moderator: Jean-Pierre Ruiz, Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow of Theology and Religious Studies, St. John’s University
3:45pm-4:00pm Break
4:00pm-6:00pm ACHTUS Business Meeting

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

8:45am-9:00am Morning Prayer
9:15am-11:45am Conjunto Session 3: Latinxs in the Midwest
Theresa Delgadillo, Associate Professor of Comparative Studies and Program Director of Latina/o Studies, the Ohio State University
Judith Huacuja, Professor of Art History and Chair of the Department of Art and Design, University of Dayton
Moderator: Rebecca Berru Davis, Department of English, Philosophy, and Modern Languages, Montana State University-Billings
11:45am-1:15pm Lunch
1:15pm-3:45pm: Conjunto Session 4: Contemporary Latinx Catholic Ecologies and Theologies
Daniel Castillo, Assistant Professor of Theology, Loyola University Maryland: “Toward an Ecological Theory of Liberation: Defining the Framework, Stating the Questions.”
Melissa Pagán, Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Director in Religious Studies, Mount Saint Mary’s University: “Cultivating a Feminist Decolonial Integral Ecology.”
Moderator: Peter J. Casarella, Director of Latin American North American Church Concerns Project and Associate Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame
4-5pm ACHTUS Business Meeting Continued
6-7pm Reception (sponsored by the Louisville Institute)
7-10pm Banquet, Awards, Presidential Address

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

8am-8:50am ACHTUS Board Meeting
9am-11am Enlace
Miguel H. Díaz, The John Courtney Murray University Chair in Public Service, Loyola University Chicago, and U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Retired
Moderator: Teresa Delgado, Religious Studies Department Chair and Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics, Program Director of Peace and Justice Studies, Iona College
11am: Closing Benediction and Departures