Theology Research


May 2018 - May 2019

Robert Marko and Sr. Kayle Nguyen

Spirituality and Justice: The Life and Witness of Françis-Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận
Sr. Kayla Nguyen

An examination of the life and writing of Françis-Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận and his spirituality borne out of suffering as a prisoner for 13 years in Vietnam and then exile in Rome as Head of the Pontifical Council of Peace and Justice. In the tradition of Catholic social teaching he provides an alternative vision for Vietnam to classical liberalism with its radical individualism and atheistic Communism with its history of religious oppression.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Robert Marko
Funded by: Aquinas College Summer Scholars Program


May 2017 - May 2018

Light from the East: Implications of Orthodox and Greco-Roman Tradition on Belief, Ritual and Morality
Jillian Langford

This project sought to explore the implications of the Orthodox and Greco-Roman Tradition in the lives of Greek Catholics in Ukraine. From a linguistic point of view of how the word "orthodoxy" is used for just right teaching while in Ukrainian two different words describe Orthodoxy --- правовірний (right belief) and православний (right praise or right glory). In short, there is no separation of belief orthodoxy, and spirituality or right praise in this tradition. Because of the lack of separation between belief and practice, this experience sought to explore how this affected the lives and culture of people in Ukraine.

Faculty Advisor: Robert Marko
Funded by: Aquinas College Summer Scholars Program