In this installment of “Working in the Vineyard,” Pray Tell presents the Godfrey Diekmann Center, in a conversation with Professor Hansol Goo, the director of the Center.
How long has the Godfrey Diekmann Center been around? Tell us about founding vision and what your main work is.
The Godfrey Diekmann Center was founded in 1997 to honor the life and work of Fr. Godfrey Diekmann, OSB (1908-2002) who was among the 46 theologians chosen to prepare the schema on liturgy during the Second Vatican Council. The Diekmann Center seeks to deepen the contemporary understanding of early Christian theologians to promote the renewal of liturgy as called forth by the Second Vatican Council. Through lecture series, conferences, and scholarship, the Diekmann Center has yielded rich conversations and dialogue on liturgy since the very beginning. Many illustrious scholars such as Maxwell Johnson, John Baldovin, Robin Jensen, Gordon Lathrop and others have participated at Diekmann Center events. As the new director of the Center, I am in the process of revitalizing the work of the Diekmann Center with the same commitment to honoring the legacy of Fr. Diekmann and to supporting liturgical scholarship with a special attention to the issues facing the contemporary society.
What is the most important contribution the Godfrey Diekmann Center is making to the life of the church?
Since its conception, the Diekmann Center promoted liturgical scholarship by deepening the contemporary understanding of the Patristics and early Christianity. The Center’s intellectual work is firmly rooted in the historical and theological foundations of the early church. At the same time, the Center seeks to avail its fruits for the benefit of all of God’s people. The Center pays a particular attention to the issues confronting Christians in the global Church, such as ecological crisis, migration, political conflicts, racial injustice, trauma and healing, effects of technological developments, etc.
Any new things in the works?
This year on May 2nd, the Diekmann Center is organizing a graduate symposium titled, “Global Christianity Today: Prospects and Challenges.” The aim of the symposium is to provide an opportunity for the graduate students of the School of Theology and Seminary here at St. John’s University to present their research projects and receive feedback in a professional setting, so that they may develop their research interests further for the purpose of their vocation whether in ministry or academia. An invited speaker, Jonathan Y. Tan, will give a keynote lecture titled, “Doing liturgy intersectionally: Opportunities and Implications.”
What else do you want Pray Tell readers to know about the Godfrey Diekmann Center?
To learn more about the Godfrey Diekmann Center, contact diekmanncenter@csbsju.edu.
May God prosper your work!
This interview with Hansol Goo was conducted by email.