‘The Pope’s Rabbi’ To Speak at Saint Leo University

SAINT LEO, FL – It wasn’t that long ago that a friendship between a rabbi and the Pope would be considered unthinkable. However, over the past 60 years, the Catholic Church has extended an olive branch to make up for centuries of official doctrine that prevented such relationships.

And just as he has in many other areas of his life, Pope Francis is breaking boundaries again with his longtime friendship of Rabbi Abraham Skorka, rector of the Seminario Rabinico Lationamericano in Buenos Aires.

Skorka is scheduled to visit Saint Leo University on Tuesday, Nov. 1 to speak about building bridges between people of different faiths. The rabbi’s appearance is sponsored by the Saint Leo University Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies, which promotes respect among Catholics, Jews and all people of good will.

While in the Tampa Bay area, Skorka will also visit Temple Emanu-El in Sarasota on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Skorka will speak on “My Engagement with the Thought of Abraham Joshua Heschel” and will be presented the 13th Eternal Light Award.

Saint Leo will host Skorka starting at 10 a.m. with a Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints in the university’s abbey. Other highlights of his visit include:

• “My Interreligious Journey with Pope Francis,” 12:30 p.m., Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms of the Student Community Center – Skorka will explain his friendship with Pope Francis, which began in the mid-1990s when the two struck up a conversation about soccer. The servants of their religious communities continued their friendship through the years, highlighted by a 60 Minutes special in 2014 and their co-written book, On Heaven and Earth.
• “Why Interreligious Dialogue Matters,” 6:30 p.m., Saint Leo Abbey Church. This lecture will be the culmination of Skorka’s visit to Saint Leo.

During the afternoon of Nov. 1, Skorka will spend time in forums scheduled with interreligious officers from various Florida Catholic diocese and others interested in congregational life. Throughout the day, discussions will consider interreligious relations both internationally and in Florida.

Click here for the full schedule of Skorka’s visit.

There is no charge to attend any of the events. For guests who wish to reserve a spot or who need accommodations in marking or seating, contact Jennifer “Megan” Orendorf at (352) 588-8401 or jennifer.orendorf@saintleo.edu with the words “Rabbi Skorka” in the subject line.

Saint Leo University is located at 33701 State Road 52 in Saint Leo. Daytime parking close to the Student Community Center is available in the campus garage for those who can walk easily.

For the 6:30 p.m. event in the Abbey Church, the parking lots near Saint Edward Hall or the Daniel A. Cannon Memorial Library are closest.

For more information, visit www.saintleo.edu.

Image courtesy of Saint Leo University