Inclusivity and Institutional Change in Education

In this episode of OPTalks, Dr. Ish Ruiz and Dr. Colleen Mary Mallon, a Dominican Sister, discuss her latest book, Inclusivity and Institutional Change in Education: A Theologian's Journey. The book examines the intersection of theology, education, and social justice, with a specific focus on race and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Sister Mallon shares insights from her book which offers a critical examination of how Catholic institutions can better engage with diversity, equity, and inclusion. She discusses her process of unlearning whiteness and the need for greater awareness of positionality. As a Puerto Rican scholar, Dr. Ruiz reflects on the complexities of addressing race and privilege from his perspective as a person of color. The conversation emphasizes the importance of personal transformation, intentional dialogue, and structural accountability in reconciliation and healing within the Catholic tradition. In this regard, Drs. Ruiz and Mallon explore Pope Francis’ model of synodality, where the Church discerns the guidance of the Holy Spirit; Sister Mallon’s adaptation of Ken Wilber’s framework for mapping right relationships; and examples of advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, such as the work of Sister Janine Gramick. Sister Mallon stresses the Church’s need to embrace difficult conversations with love and humility, especially in the face of disagreement. She says, “...we have lost the ability to disagree in love. Even more, we have lost the ability for disagreement itself to be an act of love. Our experience of human nature has taught us that disagreement leads to devaluing, which leads to intolerance, which leads to violence. Therefore, disagreement becomes an act of hate and of war.” This conversation and the book are part of the Theological Education between the Times (TEBT) series, an initiative out of HTI member school Emory University Candler School of Theology that “gathers diverse groups of people for critical, theological conversations about the meanings and purposes of theological education. The project begins with a recognition that theological education is between the times, on the way. And it works in the confidence that we do not walk this road alone.”