Campus Briefs

Archbishop Lectures on Uniting Bonds

 Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald will lecture on four main areas this Thursday: harmonious living, cooperation in the service of others, theoretical foundations and the sharing of religious experiences.

The talk "'To Recognize and Develop the Spiritual Bonds that Unite Us' (John Paul II): A Reflection on Christian-Muslim Relations Since Vatican II" is scheduled to take place on April 25, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., in the Williman Room, Benson Memorial Center.

It will address how the Vatican II influenced a stronger communication between Christians and Muslims.

"Archbishop Fitzgerald brings much wisdom, practice and theological grounding to his work in inter-religious dialogue," said Theresa Ladrigan-Whelpley, the director of Institutes and Spirituality in the Ignation Center for Jesuit Education.

"Within the realm of Christian-Muslim dialogue in particular, Archbishop Fitzgerald's work speaks to the significance of inter-religious dialogue within life, action, theological exchange and religious experience," said Ladrigan-Whelpley. "We are grateful for his leadership within the Catholic Church and are privileged to have him here at Santa Clara to deepen our community's engagement within inter-religious dialogue."

Wrongfully Convicted Freed from Prison

The Northern California Innocence Project has released another innocent man, making this the third wrongfully convicted person freed this year.

On April 12, the NCIP, in collaboration with Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe, LLP, announced that a federal district court judge has overturned the wrongful conviction of George Souliotes, a 72-year-old man who spent 16 years in jail after being convicted of arson and triple murder.

The final verdict rests with the state of California, which has 30 days to order a retrial, yet Souliotes' lawyer insists that there is absolutely no basis for a retrial.

According to Linda Starr, the legal director for NCIP, the organization has been fighting for Souliotes' release for more than 10 years, and they are grateful that his innocence has finally been recognized.

The NCIP found that the original prosecution used evidence that new findings in fire science have since disputed.

The NCIP is an organization based in the Santa Clara Law School where it is offered as a course. After deciding to take on a certain case, law students evaluate them under the supervision of attorneys and clinical staff.

This is the 17th person the NCIP has released since its creation in 2001.

From student reports.