How we view all ecclesial, moral, and political issues is rooted ultimately in how we understand God. What concept of God undergirds our beliefs and practices? How might the God whom Jesus incarnated and revealed view our present conception of Christian nationalism? Given the amount of hatred and division in our country, world, and churches today, what are some of our current ecclesial, moral, and political challenges as we strove for reconciliation, healing and peace?

Born in 1947 in Macklin, Saskatchewan, Fr. Ron grew up in a vibrant farming and faith-filled community shaped by his German-Russian heritage. A member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, he was ordained in 1972 and went on to earn advanced degrees in theology and philosophy, culminating in a Ph.D./STD from the University of Louvain. Fr. Ron has taught theology for decades and served in leadership roles within his religious community, including two terms as Provincial Superior in Canada and six years on the General Council in Rome. From 2005 to 2020, he was President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, where he continues to serve on the faculty. He is best known for his widely syndicated column “In Exile”, which explores the intersection of faith, culture, and the spiritual journey. His many books—including The Holy Longing, Sacred Fire, and Wrestling with God—have become modern classics in Christian spirituality, touching readers across the globe.

Fr. Ron’s talks are celebrated for their warmth, wisdom, and deep insight into the human heart and the search for God in everyday life. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear one of the most influential voices in contemporary Catholic spirituality.