 Bishop Shaw sat down and discussed public answers to private questions.
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As a Jesuit institution, Boston College is no stranger to Catholicism and discussions about the Catholic faith.
Last night, however, students were given the chance to hear a fresh perspective from the Bishop of the Episcopal Archdiocese of Massachusetts, the Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw.
On Wednesday, Shaw dined and spoke with students at the 66 Commonwealth Ave. Multifaith Chapel about various topics concerning the Episcopal Church.
The Bishop answered anonymous questions from the audience in a session called "Public Answers to Private Questions."
The session revealed some of the Bishop's own views on topics such as prayer and the AIDS epidemic in Africa, as well as insight into the current state of the Episcopal Church.
"I don't think the church is about the people on the inside. It's all about what people on the inside can do for the rest of the world," Shaw said.
The evening began with an introduction from Judith Stuart, Episcopal chaplain at BC.
Shaw has led numerous adults, college, and high school students on trips to places such as Israel, Palestine, and Kenya.
He said that he preferred working with college students. "You seem to be game for anything," Shaw said.
Shaw has led area students, including some from BC, on trips to Kenya during the previous year and to Israel and Palestine two years ago.
Emily Neumeier, BC Episcopal Chaplaincy (BCEC) president and A&S '08, said that these trips bring students from BC and other area universities to the Middle East and Africa to learn firsthand what the situation is really like and what the church is doing there.
For example, Shaw said that although Americans have much to teach the Tanzanians about AIDS and HIV prevention, they can also learn a lot from the Tanzanians about self-sacrifice, community, and worship.
Both Shaw and Neumeier emphasized the importance of periodically returning to these locations.
This year, Shaw will be leading groups to both Israel and Palestine.
"Public Answers to Private Questions" got off to a quick start as an anonymous audience member bluntly asked, "If God is supposed to be all-forgiving, why do some people end up in hell?"
2008 Woodie Awards
