Interesting another story showing the engagement occurring in the Vatican that seems to be on the upswing.<\/p>\n
The TEDx Via della Conciliazione conference will be held in Rome on April 19, 2013, and will focus on the theme \u201cReligious freedom today.\u201d It is being coordinated under the auspices of the Pontifical Council for Culture\u2019s \u201cCourtyard of the Gentiles\u201d outreach, which aims to create a \u201cdialogue between believers and non-believers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those already confirmed as participants are drawn from the worlds of sport, music, culture and academia, including Vlade Divac, the former NBA basketball player; Gloria Estefan, the Cuban-born American pop singer; and the Japanese architect Etsuro Sotoo.<\/p>\n
It is the invitation of Bolt, however, that has made the headlines. The 26-year-old recently won three gold medals at the London Olympics. As a Catholic, Bolt is known for making the Sign of the Cross before racing competitively. He also bears the middle name Saint Leo.<\/p>\n
Among the other sporting personalities invited to participate is the Ivory Coast soccer star Didier Drogba. However, the NFL quarterback and Evangelical Christian Tim Tebow has already informed organizers that he will not be able to attend.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am thrilled to hear art and beauty placed side by side with physical excellence,\u201d said art historian and fellow participant Elizabeth Lev told EWTN News.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Greeks knew athletic prowess was a gift from the heavens, and needed to be cultivated and appreciated as such. Artistic talent, also God-given, was used in the ancient world to produce the stunning sculptures we admire today in the Vatican Museums, from the discus thrower to the heroic amazons,\u201d said Lev, who also works at the Vatican Museums.<\/p>\n
She said she is \u201cvery much looking forward\u201d to \u201cpromoting a modern conversation about art, faith and athletic achievement\u201d in the same way that the early Christian community \u201cextolled those same qualities in their saints and spirituality.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
TEDx signifies that it is a local TED talk and not coordinated by TED. \u00a0This talks follow a 18 minute format of “ideas worth spreading.” \u00a0The subject of religious liberty certainly falls into that topic.<\/p>\n
I do wonder what \u00a0former Obama fundraiser\u00a0Gloria Estefan will have to say about religious freedom?<\/p>\n