Sacred Heart University: Discussion on Scholar & Professor Michael Higgins’ New Book

This past September, Sacred Heart University Professor Emeritus Michael Higgins published, The Jesuit Disruptor: A Personal Portrait of Pope Francis. The book gives a detailed and one-of-a-kind account of Pope Francis and his pursuit of equipping the Catholic Church with important skills to succeed in the 21st century. In what the Winnipeg Free Press calls a “creative and personalized sense of Francis’ vision for Catholics and for the world,” Higgins outlines how Pope Francis has become a respected moral leader. He describes how Pope Francis has spoken out on current issues such as immigration and climate change, while displaying an unwavering faith in the betterment of the Catholic Church.

Moderator:
Michael W. Higgins is a prolific and best-selling author. He is a Distinguished Professor of Catholic Thought Emeritus at Sacred Heart and currently Basilian Distinguished Fellow in Contemporary Catholic Thought, St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto.
Panelists:
David Gibson is the director of the center on religion and culture at Fordham University
Daniel Rober is an associate professor and chair of the department of Catholic studies at Sacred Heart University
Mary Kate Holeman is an assistant professor of religious studies at Fairfield University

SPONSOR: Sacred Heart University’s Center for Catholic Studies

TICKETS: The event is free and open to the public, for those unable to attend, the discussion will be live streamed at this link.

PRESS: Media coverage is welcomed. Please contact Deb Noack at 203-396-8483 or noackd@sacredheart.edu for further information.

About Sacred Heart University
As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu