The Catholic University of America Office of Public Affairs
The Catholic University of America

July 2, 2009

Catholic Experts Available to Comment on Pope Benedict’s 1st Social Encyclical

Experts at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., are available to discuss Pope Benedict XVI’s first social encyclical, which is scheduled to be released Tuesday, July 7.

• PAPAL ENCYCLICALS — Very Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M., president of The Catholic University of America, is available to discuss Pope Benedict XVI’s first social encyclical “Veritas in Caritate” (“Truth in Charity”).
  
  Father O’Connell is a frequent commentator for the national media on issues regarding the Catholic Church, Catholic higher education and canon law. He was a widely sought-after national news commentator during both the 2005 papal transition and Pope Benedict’s 2008 visit to the United States. He continues to be an expert source on many facets of Catholicism and the Church.
  
  He has a doctorate in canon law from CUA with a specialization in Catholic higher education. In addition to canon law, Father O’Connell holds degrees in moral theology and philosophy.
  
  To arrange an interview with Father O’Connell, contact Victor Nakas or Mary McCarthy at 202-319-5600.
  
  
• CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING — Andrew Abela, associate professor of marketing and chair of CUA’s Department of Business and  Economics, researches consumerism, marketing ethics, Catholic social teaching and internal marketing communication. He is currently working on a “catechism” for business leaders, which will address tough ethical questions in business in light of Christian social ethics.
  
  Abela is the winner of the Acton Institute’s 2009 Novak Award, which recognizes new outstanding research by scholars early in their academic careers. He will be honored at the annual Calihan Lecture, which he will deliver at CUA in November.
  
  Abela is also widely published in refereed academic and professional journals, including The Journal of Marketing, The Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science and The Journal of Markets & Morality.
  
  Abela can be reached at 703-628-3368 or by e-mail: a.v.abela@gmail.com.
  
  
• RELIGION AND POLITICS — Maryann Cusimano Love, associate professor of politics and a fellow with CUA’s Life Cycle Institute, is a consultant to the U.S. Catholic bishops on globalization and international politics; she consulted in the writing of the bishops’ statements on the ethics of globalization, including “A Place At the Table,” “A Call to Solidarity With Africa,” and “A Pastoral Message: Living With Faith and Hope After September 11th.”
  
  She is a frequent speaker on issues of religion and politics, including a speech last fall at the United Nations at the invitation of the Vatican. She is a columnist at America magazine, where she has won a 2009 Catholic Press Association Award.  She researches, writes and teaches on the ethics of international politics, globalization, and religion and politics at Catholic University and in CUA’s Pentagon Program; recent publications include her book “Beyond Sovereignty:  Issues for a Global Agenda.”
  
  Cusimano Love can be reached at 443-964-8994 and or by e-mail:  mcusimanolove@erols.com.

To search for other CUA faculty who serve as experts for the media, visit the online Faculty Experts Guide at: http://publicaffairs.cua.edu/experts/.

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