December 17, 2008

Raising spirits over spirits: auxiliary bishop draws Theology on Tap crowd

By Danielle Yuthas

Ideas and conversation flowed at Theology on Tap held the evening of Dec. 12 at Braun’s Bar and Grill located just west of the Auraria campus in downtown Denver.

Theology on Tap is an opportunity for members of the young Catholic community to gain insight and friends in a relaxed atmosphere.  New topics and guest speakers are introduced at each gathering.  According to one of the evening’s emcees, Andrew Barga, attendance toward the end of 2008 has reached 160, which was double what it was last year at this time. 

“It’s really applicable to life,” Barga said, explaining why the talks are so popular. “Young adults can come, have a beer and hang out, but we don’t sell you short on the theology side.” 

Auxiliary Bishop James Conley, who was named an auxiliary bishop for the Denver Archdiocese by Pope Benedict XVI in April, spoke about the Year of St. Paul and about evangelism.  Specifically, he addressed speaking to family, friends and co-workers about faith.

Bishop Conley’s episcopal motto, which also served as the evening’s theme, is “cor ad cor loquitur” or “heart speaks to heart.” The prelate’s motto was also that of the venerable John Henry Newman, whose background as a chaplain mentoring young people is similar to Bishop Conley’s.  Newman was also a convert like Conley.  The saying was originally coined by St. Francis de Sales.  Bishop Conley said the phrase “heart speaks to heart” explains how we enter into relationships with and communicate with others.  He added that the heart of Jesus speaks to our heart and that is how Christ draws people to his heart.

“By being authentic we are living the truth in love,” the prelate said. “The truth is universal.  Someone choosing to live and love in the truth will ultimately find Jesus Christ, the truth.”

The bishop referenced Newman’s book, “The Grammar of Assent” and the way it explains how people come to know things.  He explained the difference between “real” and “notional” assent: notional being a more superficial understanding and acceptance of reasoning and real as a deeper knowledge.

“Feeling is fleeting until it is anchored in truth,” Bishop Conley said.  “All real truths stand alone.  Faith is not based on a feeling but on a body of truth.”

Bishop Conley’s own conversion to Catholicism was based on its roots in historical fact.  His conversion was initially intellectual, inspired by what he had read, but faith has to be both in the head and the heart, he said. 

“No one ever died for a proposition,” he said, “but people died for a person: Jesus Christ.”

He added, “Faith becomes so real it speaks a language and it speaks volumes without requiring discussion or argument.” 

There is no greater influence on the human soul than goodness and virtue, he said, and this is the way we connect with others based on truth.  This becomes real assent, he declared.

Attendee Donald Schoeninger said this gave him a new perspective on evangelism.

“It is refreshing to learn about a new approach to evangelism that does not include boastful words, but instead, encourages genuine connection,” he said.  

Attendee Therese O’Brien agreed and said Bishop Conley’s remarks particularly reached her when he related the concept of heart speaking to heart to the workplace. 

“If your heart speaks to another’s in the way you act and present yourself, people know there is something different about you,” she said.

First time attendee of Theology on Tap, Ian Buljung, said he appreciated that the foundation of Bishop Conley’s speech was academic, asserting he felt this is the best way to reach out to his age group. 

“I realized that even though I am a cradle Catholic, my faith is based on intellect and not just tradition,” Buljung said, later adding, “Theology on Tap is a great gift and resource for young adults in this area.”

The prelate said he is involved in Theology on Tap because “as the auxiliary bishop, I represent the Church and this is one of the ways I can bring the Church to the people instead of bringing the people to the Church.”