BELMONT — As part of commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of its founder, Benedictine Abbot Leo Haid, Belmont Abbey College will host a special gathering focused on how Catholicism took root in the South.
The Haid Symposium on Catholicism in the American South will be held Oct. 11-12 and aims to foster scholarly engagement and collaboration across the nation about the formation and flourishing of Catholicism in the South.
Abbot Leo Haid, the founding Abbot of Belmont Abbey College and leader of the Catholic mission territory of North Carolina until his death in 1924, played a pivotal role in nurturing a burgeoning Catholic presence that not only transformed the religious landscape of the American South but also left an indelible mark on its sociopolitical, literary and cultural history.
The Haid Symposium will delve into the rich tapestry of the past century, shedding light on this remarkable legacy and celebrating a significant yet often overlooked aspect of Southern and American Catholic history. By exploring the intervening years, the symposium aims to deepen the understanding of the profound impact of Catholicism in this region.
Distinguished scholars and experts from various disciplines will converge at Belmont Abbey College to engage in a series of thought-provoking discussions and presentations. The symposium will feature panels such as “Benedictine Contributions to Southern Catholicism,” “Southern Catholicism during the Civil Rights Movement” and “Southern Catholicism and the Literary Imagination: Flannery O’Connor.” These sessions will provide a platform for intellectual exchange, fostering new insights and collaborations that will shape the future of Catholic scholarship in the American South.
“We are overjoyed to host The Haid Symposium on Catholicism in the American South,” said Dr. Bill Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College. “This symposium not only builds upon Abbot Leo Haid’s rich legacy of leadership in, and fidelity to, the Catholic Church, but also highlights the profound contribution of the Belmont Abbey monastic community and their ongoing commitment to faithfully living the 1,500-year-old Rule of St. Benedict.”
Dr. Farrell O’Gorman, chair and professor of English at Belmont Abbey College, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming event.
“The Haid Symposium provides a valuable opportunity for scholars to come together and explore the historical significance of Catholicism in the American South,” he said. “Through a closer look at Abbot Leo Haid’s legacy, we will uncover vital aspects of the region’s religious and cultural development.”
For more information about The Haid Symposium on Catholicism in the American South, including registration details and a schedule of events, go online to www.belmontabbeycollege.edu/haidsymposium. Registration is $50 for most attendees.
— Belmont Abbey College