Abstract
Grace and peace, al-salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatahu, peace be upon
you and the Mercy and Blessings of God. I am honoured, delighted and humbled to offer a brief
response to the wonderful inaugural McGinley lecture from Fr. Patrick Ryan. Let me begin with
the words that Wilfred Cantwell Smith delivered almost exactly sixty years ago today (Dec. 8,
1949) in his inaugural lecture at McGill University, entitled “The Comparative Study of
Religion”: “There are two elements in the feeling, close to awe, with which I am touched in
assuming the charge that has been entrusted to me here…”.1 For Professor Smith, those two
elements were honour and gratitude, and like him, I am honoured and grateful to offer this
response. A very simple and sincere “Thank you” to all of you who are reading these words. I
need to single out Fr. Joseph McShane for his hospitality, Sr. Anne-Marie Kirmse for her help
with the arrangements, Rabbi Polish for his response, and of course to Fr. Ryan for inviting me
to respond to his lecture.
you and the Mercy and Blessings of God. I am honoured, delighted and humbled to offer a brief
response to the wonderful inaugural McGinley lecture from Fr. Patrick Ryan. Let me begin with
the words that Wilfred Cantwell Smith delivered almost exactly sixty years ago today (Dec. 8,
1949) in his inaugural lecture at McGill University, entitled “The Comparative Study of
Religion”: “There are two elements in the feeling, close to awe, with which I am touched in
assuming the charge that has been entrusted to me here…”.1 For Professor Smith, those two
elements were honour and gratitude, and like him, I am honoured and grateful to offer this
response. A very simple and sincere “Thank you” to all of you who are reading these words. I
need to single out Fr. Joseph McShane for his hospitality, Sr. Anne-Marie Kirmse for her help
with the arrangements, Rabbi Polish for his response, and of course to Fr. Ryan for inviting me
to respond to his lecture.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Amen: Faith and the Possibility of Jewish-Christian-Muslim Trialogue |
| Publisher | Fordham University Press |
| Pages | 40-46 |
| State | Published - 2010 |
Disciplines
- Religion