Georgian Court University’s Dr. Johann M. Vento, Professor in the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, recently participated in a groundbreaking international theological gathering at the Vatican. As President of the College Theology Society, Dr. Vento attended the General Assembly of the International Network of Catholic Societies of Theology (INSeCT) in Rome on December 9-10, 2024.
The meeting brought together representatives from theological societies across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and Africa to discuss the ongoing theme of the past three years: Decolonizing Theology.
In addition to the INSeCT General Assembly, Dr. Vento also participated in the historic International Congress on the Future of Theology, hosted by the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education. The event, held at the Vatican, gathered around 450 theologians from around the world for a first-of-its-kind discussion on the evolving role of theology in society, the Church, and the world. The conference was structured around three key questions: Where, how, and why?
- The where explored the local contexts in which theological reflection takes place.
- The how examined interdisciplinarity, incorporating insights from non-theological disciplines such as music, literature, and film.
- The why reflected on theology’s role in serving the Church and society at large.
The conference began with an address by Pope Francis, who emphasized the need to make theology more accessible to all. He encouraged theologians to engage with diverse perspectives and expand their work beyond academic circles to reach broader audiences.
One of the most memorable moments of the conference was the opportunity for each attendee to personally greet Pope Francis. Dr. Vento had the extraordinary honor of shaking hands with the Holy Father.
Reflecting on her experience, Dr. Vento described the conference as “history-making,” noting the depth of discussions in plenary sessions and small-group dialogues. “It was truly inspiring to be part of this global conversation on the future of theology,” she said. “The opportunity to engage with theologians from all over the world, and to meet Pope Francis himself, was an experience I will always treasure.”
The landmark Vatican gathering underscores Georgian Court’s commitment to academic excellence and its engagement in crucial conversations shaping the future of theology and religious studies worldwide.
Dr. Vento has been a valued member of the Georgian Court faculty since 2001 and was honored with the Virginia Graham Class of ’31 Award for Teaching Excellence in 2019. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Religious Studies and Women’s Studies, including Women and Religion, Religion in America, Christian Tradition, and Comparative Monotheisms. From 2007 to 2012, she participated in the Elijah Interfaith Institute in Jerusalem, facilitating interfaith dialogue among global religious leaders.
