Critical Self-Reflection and Social Justice as Lasallian Mission | AXIS: Journal of Lasallian Higher Education

Jack Downey, PhD

ABSTRACT

This paper seeks to think through some social applications of the Lasallian charism in the context of contemporary higher education and a fractured political environment. Drawing from liberation theology and critical theory, it reflects on Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si in considering Lasallian university mission, and how institutions might inhabit solidaritous principles of social justice while attempting to educate towards the same ends.

Full Text:

Critical Self-Reflection and Social Justice as Lasallian Mission

Keywords: American Catholic Higher Education; Pedagogy

Jack Downey, PhD, serves as assistant professor in the religion and theology department at La Salle University since 2012. Jack earned a PhD and MPhil from Fordham University, an MTS from Harvard Divinity School, and a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University. His research interests are rooted in the convergence of mysticism and contemplation with intersectional liberation praxis. His main geo-temporal focus is modern North America, with American Catholic history being a primary field of competence―along with some comparative interests, particularly as related to Buddhism.