9th Cassiciacum Dialogue

Tuesday, February 23rd, 7:00 p.m. in Cascia Hall

To Bring Forth Our Common Humanity Amidst Our Differences: A Discussion of  "The Monks of Tibhirine: Faith, Love, and Terror in Algeria," by John Kiser.

Presented by The Center for Augustinian Study and Legacy at Merrimack College

The title of this year's dialogue is taken from the last testament of Brother Christian-Marie, the prior of the Trappist monastery at Tibhirine, Algeria, from 1984-96.  He providentially sent the testament to a brother in France with instructions that it be made public in the event that a tragedy befall the monastic community.  In 1996, in the bitter struggle between a government perceived by some as oppressive and an Islamic fundamentalist movement seen by others as fanatical, seven members of the community, including the prior, were kidnapped and murdered by Islamic extremists. The author John Kiser tells the story of the monks of Tibhirine in such a way as to raise urgent questions about tolerance, acceptance, and recognition of others, especially focusing on the issue of differences and commonalities between their experiences, beliefs, and spiritualities.

This program is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact the Center for Augustinian Study and Legacy at Merrimack College at (978) 837-5217 or email heffernang@merrimack.edu.

"Cassiciacum Dialogue" derives from the place Cassiciacum, a location near Milan in Northern Italy, where Augustine engaged in his first philosophical dialogues between his conversion in the summer of 386 and his baptism in the spring of 387.  There has been an annual Cassiciacum Dialogue at Merrimack College since 2002.