1995 - Speakers

The Role of the Christian Family in the
Transmission of Truth - 1995

Conference Speakers

We are pleased to bring you these prominent speakers who will share their expertise in Christian family formation.

Most Rev. William Levada
Archbishop William Levada of Portland, Oregon, is a Doctor of Sacred Theology from the Gregorian, having written his doctoral dissertation on the natural moral law He is a member of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, through which he has worked on committees concerned with Doctrine, pro-life, and the implementation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He has spoken throughout North America on many subjects, to appreciative audiences of up to 500.

Rev. Benedict Ashley, OP
Rev. Benedict Ashley, OP, Emeritus Professor of Theology at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, holds doctorates in philosophy and political science as well as the post-doctoral degree of Master of Sacred Theology. He was recently honoured by Pope John Paul II with the medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, and formerly served as Professor of Theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and Family in Washington, DC.

Mrs. Mary Ann Kuharski
Mary Ann Kuharski, author of Raising Catholic Children, and Parenting with Prayer, is a full-time homemaker and mother of 13 children, six of whom are adopted. She is a Founding member and co-director of PROLIFE MINNESOTA, an educational non-profit organization dedicated to proclaiming the pro-life message through billboard, television, and newspaper advertising. She is an Advisory Board member of the National Council for Adoption and has appeared on local and national radio and television.

Professor Janine Langon
Professor Janine Langon teaches Christianity and Culture, a programme she founded at the University of Toronto for the purpose of forming teachers in the Catholic school system. Four years ago she received the University's Teaching Prize for her dedication and work. She has 5 children and 8 grandchildren and has spoken repeatedly on the Church and the Family from the parish level to major international forums. She was a member of the Toronto Archdiocese Commission for the Family from 1982-1992.

Drs. John and Lyn Billings
Drs. John and Lyn Billings are the founders of the Billings' Ovulation Method of natural Family planning, a method used by over 50 million couples, according to Dr. Odeblad's worldwide study (1987). Their considerable scientific knowledge of family planning is enhanced by their domestic experience of parenting 9 children Their work in innumerable countries, encouraged by Pope Paul VI and Mother Teresa, has been instrumental in a new respect for women, and the sanctity of marriage.

Rev. Robert Spitzer, SJ
Rev. Robert Spitzer, SJ, is a vital and energetic speaker. He is a professor of philosophy at Seattle University, focusing much of his energy on dialogue between philosophy and science which is yet another of his innumerable academic and teaching accomplishments. He has written many books, papers and dissertations, many of which he has been invited to address to audiences of academics, doctors, and lay professionals. His subjects vary from metaphysics to the very current issue of active euthanasia.

Most Rev. Adam Exner, OMI
Archbishop Adam Exner OMI, was installed as the seventh Archbishop of Vancouver in 1991, taking for himself the motto, "'To serve as He served." And to this end, he lends us his tremendous pastoral and academic experience to speak on marriage and family a subject from his doctoral dissertation, The Theology of Marriage published in 1963. In this conference he will direct his considerable energies to promoting and encouraging Catholic families to fulfil their vocation to love.