Award-Winning Author Headlines 2024 Pierre Lecture

Dr. Jessica Coblentz talks Theology and Depression during Annual Event

San Antonio – February 29, 2024 – The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Religious Studies Department was proud to present the annual 2024 Pierre Lecture on Thursday, February 22 in the Student Engagement Center ballroom. This year’s featured speaker, Dr. Jessica Coblentz, spoke on the topic of “Depression as a Wilderness Experience: Exploring Some Theological Resources for Life with Depression.”

“Dr. Coblentz suggested that the traditional theological answers for understanding and responding to depression can be less than helpful,” says Dr. Michael Romero, director of the UIW Pastoral Institute. “There are other underused theological resources for dealing with depression. This is especially pertinent given the rising numbers of reported mental health issues and depression in the wake of the pandemic. Indeed, several attendees were open about their struggles with depression.”

Coblentz is an assistant professor in the Department of Religious Studies and Theology at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, where her research and teaching focuses on Catholic systematic theology, feminist theologies and mental health in theological perspective. Coblentz is the author of “Dust in the Blood: A Theology of Life with Depression,” which is the recipient of the 2023 College Theology Society Best Book Award.

Romero says he was particularly struck by the way Coblentz used the story of Hagar’s being cast out into the wilderness (Genesis 21) as a resource for dealing with depression as a wilderness experience. He is also hopeful that the audience took away a new perspective on theology and theologians.

“Seeing the relevance and importance of the kind of work contemporary theologians are doing, particularly in conversation with the human sciences,” concludes Romero. “Also, how to respond to those who suffer with depression, including what not to say.”

The UIW Religious Studies Department established the Pierre Lecture series in 2001 to focus on the contributions of women scholars who are addressing current issues in the fields of theology and religious studies, particularly those scholars who are grappling with the complex issues of social justice, ecology and globalization. The department focuses on scholars who are doing critical work in areas consistent with the mission of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word such as human rights, respect for human dignity, systemic change, globalization, multiculturalism, the environment and other pertinent topics.

The Pierre Lecture is sponsored by the generous support of Haciendo Caminos, a Lily Endowment grant.