On October 22 John Pawlikowski, a reverend and 2005 winner of the Nostra Aetate award, came to Seton Hill University (SHU) to speak about the apostle Paul. This is the year of Saint Paul and the reason he is an important figure is not only because of his early persecution of Christians but because he later became a follower of Christ and suffered and died for him.
This presentation was an event held by the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education (NCCHE) at SHU. Frances Leap, a professor of theology, introduced Pawlikowski and told of his recent achievements.
By Megan Seigh
Staff Writer
On October 22 John Pawlikowski, a reverend and 2005 winner of the Nostra Aetate award, came to Seton Hill University (SHU) to speak about the apostle Paul. This is the year of Saint Paul and the reason he is an important figure is not only because of his early persecution of Christians but because he later became a follower of Christ and suffered and died for him.
This presentation was an event held by the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education (NCCHE) at SHU. Frances Leap, a professor of theology, introduced Pawlikowski and told of his recent achievements.
“He was instrumental with the Catholic-Jewish studies program on writing reflections on missions,” said Leap.
After his introduction, Pawlikowski spoke about St. Paul in a presentation titled, “Which Paul Are We Celebrating during the Jubilee?” The jubilee year of St. Paul is from June 28, 2008 to July 29, 2009 and this happens to be the occasion of the bi-millennium of his birth. Pawlikowski praised the works of St. Paul and the struggles that he has been through.
“Paul has been presented as a founder of Christianity and moves in directions that are not duplicated anywhere. Paul is a primary messenger,” said Pawlikowski.
Speaking on how St. Paul was faithful to both Christianity and Judaism, Pawlikowski said: “If Paul would have had a son, he would have had him circumcised to show linkage to the Jewish community.”
He concluded by asking, “Was he the founder of Christianity or a faithful Jew? The answer may be both.”
He then related St. Paul to both religions and showed that he has lived and worked through God to help both Christians and Jews. Pope Benedict XVI even holds St. Paul’s life as an example of which we all should live.