Bartolome de Las Casas
On October 7-8, 2016, a conference on “Bartolomé de Las Casas: History, Philosophy, & Theology in the Age of European Expansion” was held at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. The event was organized by Dr. David Orique of Providence College and BU Associate Professor Rady Roldán-Figueroa to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Order of Preachers, the 100th anniversary of Providence College, and the 500th anniversary of the first conversion of Bartolomé de las Casas (2014). Papers reflected on themes of contact, conversion, conquest, and colonization and were presented in English or in Spanish. Dr. Roldán presented a paper entitled “The Episcopal Office and the Defense of Humanity: Bartolomé de las Casas’s Theory of the Power of the Bishops.” Presenters came from the U.S. as well as Europe and Latin America and included several doctoral students.