THE PORTSMOUTH INSTITUTE to hold
June 18-21, conference on The Catholic William F. Buckley Jr.
Portsmouth RI, February 1
The Portsmouth Institute today announced that it will sponsor a conference on The Catholic William F. Buckley Jr. from June 18-21, 2009 at Portsmouth Abbey School.
A special contribution by Buckley’s son, Christopher, a 1970 alumnus of Portsmouth Abbey School, will be read by his classmate, James MacGuire. Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne, New Criterion editor-in-chief Roger Kimball, First Things editor Joseph Bottum, syndicated columnist Maggie Gallagher, National Review Online editor Kathryn Lopez, Heritage Foundation fellow Lee Edwards and Father George Rutler, pastor of Our Saviour church in New York City.
“We are proud to be presenting the first conference on Bill’s life and thought since his death last February,” commented Portsmouth Institute director James MacGuire. “Given all that has transpired in the last year, this is an ideal moment to reflect on his work and beliefs as Americans across the political spectrum begin a principled engagement with the new realities of 2009.”
The conference will convene on Thursday afternoon, June 18 and conclude on Sunday morning, June 21. “We look forward to welcoming old and new friends alike to Portsmouth Abbey and School,” said Dr. James DeVecchi, headmaster, “So that they can be better acquainted with the academic and spiritual excellence that has been nurtured here for the past eighty years on the beautiful shores of Narragansett Bay.”
A highlight of the conference will be a celebration of the recently completed $4 million renovation of the Church of St. Gregory the Great, designed by Pietro Belluschi, on which work has been ongoing for the past year. A sacred concert featuring Fauré’s Requiem will be held at 6 PM on Saturday, June 20, and a celebratory sung Mass will take place Sunday June 21 at 9:30 AM.
“The Church is the heart of our Abbey and School,” said the Right Reverend Caedmon Holmes O.S.B., abbot of Portsmouth, “And of course we look forward to welcoming conference attendees and all of our friends to this mid-20th century masterpiece now that it has been restored to its original glory.”
The complete conference program is listed here. The cost of the conference is $300 and limited housing is available in Portsmouth Abbey School dormitories at $50 per night. Those interested in registering for The Catholic William F. Buckley conference may do so at www.portsmouthinstitute.org, by calling Fran Cook at (401) 643-1281, emailing her at cwaterman@portsmouthabbey.org, or writing her at Portsmouth Abbey School, 285 Corys Lane, Portsmouth RI 02871. Additional queries may be addressed to James MacGuire at jmacguire@portsmouthabbey.org.
