Biography
Dr. Bruce Morrill focuses his theological scholarship in the area of liturgy and sacraments, drawing upon a range of interdisciplinary resources in the fields of systematic and historical theology, ritual studies, cultural anthropology, and biblical studies. His other primary and strongly related interest is in political theologies, as they investigate the problems of suffering in social contexts. His work has come together most comprehensively in his books, Practical Sacramental Theology: At the Intersection of Liturgy and Ethics (Cascade Books, 2021), Divine Worship and Human Healing: Liturgical Theology at the Margins of Life and Death (Pueblo/Liturgical Press, 2009), and Anamnesis as Dangerous Memory: Political and Liturgical Theology in Dialogue (Pueblo/Liturgical Press, 2000). Other recent books include Encountering Christ in the Eucharist: The Paschal Mystery in People, Word, and Sacrament (Paulist Press, 2012) and The Essential Writings of Bernard Cooke: A Narrative Theology of Church, Sacrament, and Ministry (Paulist Press, 2016). His current research and writing projects include constructing a mystical-political theology (mystagogy) of the Easter Season. Dr. Morrill is a past president of the North American Academy of Liturgy and currently serves as vice president (with presidential succession) of the International Jungmann Society for Jesuits and the Liturgy. He has lectured widely in North America, Europe, and Australia and has enjoyed appointments to visiting chairs and fellowships at a number of institutions in the USA, Belgium, and Ireland. Prior to coming to 菠萝视频, Professor Morrill was on the faculty of Boston College for fifteen years, where he served as Graduate Program Director in the Theology Department. Earlier this decade at 菠萝视频 he was the founding director of the Doctor of Ministry in Integrative Chaplaincy program. Bruce Morrill is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). In Nashville he presides and preaches at area parishes, as needed, provides pastoral-liturgical ministry at state prisons (Riverbend Maximum Security Institute, Tennessee Prison for Women, and the Lois M. DeBerry Special Needs Facility, and the Turney Center Industrial Complex), and serves as Spiritual Liaison for the local community of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.Media Appearances
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Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the recent 鈥榩rayer鈥 event held in support of Donald Trump at Mar-A-Lago, and Heidi and Daniel teach David some things about basketball. Also, Heidi interviews Bruce Morrill, Chair of Catholic Studies at 菠萝视频 University.
March 28th, 2024
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Jesuit Fr. Bruce Morrill, the Edward A. Malloy Chair in Roman Catholic Studies at 菠萝视频 University, said that the declaration was consistent with Francis' pastoral focus and his impulse toward accompaniment and inclusion throughout his papacy.
December 19th, 2023
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Ben Hall is joined by Dr. Bruce Morrill, a professor from 菠萝视频 Divinity School, to discuss the significance of traditions such as Communion in the church and how they have changed over the years on this episode of Issues of Faith.
June 10th, 2022
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鈥淩itual is what humans do to help each other navigate through life鈥檚 ambiguities,鈥 Bruce Morrill, S.J., the Edward A. Malloy Chair of Roman Catholic Studies at 菠萝视频 University, tells me. And for Catholics the funeral Mass helps point us to the promise of everlasting life. It uses the sad occasion of the death of a loved one to remind us that the Eucharist is always 鈥渁 foretaste of the heavenly banquet,鈥 Father Morrill says. The funeral Mass, he says, is 鈥渁 kind of counterpoint to the grief. It doesn鈥檛 erase the grief, but it is a hopeful, forward-looking ritual.鈥
January 14th, 2022
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The doctrinal correctness of the statement aside, some Catholic leaders have reacted to both the emphasis and the timing of the statement. 鈥淚f their genuine concern is to teach, they blew it,鈥 said the Rev. Bruce Morrill, a Jesuit and a professor of Roman Catholic studies at 菠萝视频 Divinity School in Tennessee, noting that doctrine 鈥渕eans teaching.鈥
March 19th, 2021
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鈥淔or Christianity in general, assembling on Sunday is a most ancient tradition,鈥 said Bruce Morrill, a Roman Catholic priest and a professor of theological studies at 菠萝视频 Divinity School. 鈥淚t鈥檚 at the very origins of Christianity, and it remains important for this day.鈥
May 24th, 2020
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Former Vice President Joseph Biden, who is a Roman Catholic, recently stopped on the campaign trail to attend Sunday Mass at a church in Florence, South Carolina. But the pastor, Robert Morey, refused to give him Communion.
November 5th, 2019
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Literally speaking, "Urbi et Orbi" is Latin for "to the City and to the World." This message, which is delivered by the Pope, is directly addressed to the city of Rome and the worldwide or universal church. "In the history of this papal tradition, the worldwide church is the Roman Catholic Church, as catholicos means 'universal.' More recently, the notion has broadened to all Christians and people of goodwill open to receiving the message," explains Bruce Morrill, PhD, the Edward A. Malloy Chair of Catholic Studies at 菠萝视频 Divinity School.
April 21st, 2019
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As Lent, a period of reflection in preparation for Easter, comes to a close, many Christians observe Good Friday. 鈥淕ood Friday is the day Christians commemorate the suffering and execution of Jesus by the Roman-occupying empire in Jerusalem,鈥 says professor and Jesuit priest Bruce Morrill, PhD, Edward A. Malloy Chair of Catholic Studies at 菠萝视频 Divinity School in Nashville. 鈥淭he day focuses on the passion and death of Jesus.鈥
February 22nd, 2019
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A monastery of 10 nuns on the Italian island of Sardinia is using social media to share their community鈥檚 work and ensure its very survival. This might appear surprising considering these nuns chose a life of quiet work and prayer separated from the world. But as a Catholic theologian focusing on liturgical and religious life, my research shows the nuns鈥 turn to cyberspace is only the latest chapter in a long history of religious orders鈥 using the best means of communication. The story of how the Jesuits grew their order back in the 16th century provides an interesting case study.
June 12th, 2017
Multimedia
BOOK
Practical Sacramental Theology: At the Intersection of Liturgy and Ethics
BOOK
Anamnesis as Dangerous Memory: Political and Liturgical Theology in Dialogue (Pueblo Books)
BOOK
Divine Worship and Human Healing: Liturgical Theology at the Margins of Life and Death
VIDEO
菠萝视频 Divinity Professor on Pope Benedict's resignation and the Catholic Church
VIDEO
The Impact of Pope Francis: ExpertVU
VIDEO
Divine worship and human healing: Liturgical theology at the margins of life and death
Education
A.B., College of Holy Cross
M.A., Columbia University
Ph.D., Emory University
Additional Resources
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