CHICAGO, IL (October 5, 2006) - On Thursday, October 12, Fr. Robert Barron will deliver the annual Cardinal Bernardin Lecture at Elmhurst, College. Fr. Barron, a member of the faculty of the University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, will discuss the debate about traditionalism versus liberalism within the Catholic Church in a talk titled “Bridging the Great Divide: Reflection on the Thought of John Henry Cardinal Newman.”

John Henry Cardinal Newman was a 19th century Catholic leader whose work, The Idea of the University, resulted in Catholic campus ministry efforts being named in his honor.

Fr. Barron’s talk will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Frick Center, Founders Lounge (located at 190 Prospect Ave.) and will include time for questions. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

The Cardinal Bernardin Lecture at Elmhurst College is an annual event that presents a topic of interest to the local Catholic community. The late Cardinal Bernardin was scheduled to speak at the college, but died prior to the speech. Most Rev. George Murry, SJ, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, subsequently delivered the words that Cardinal Bernardin had written, and Elmhurst College bestowed its highest distinction, the Niebuhr Medal, upon Cardinal Bernardin.

Fr. Barron is the author of several books and his homilies can be heard weekly on the Word On Fire program, on radio 820AM.