Students, faculty and staff of the Divinity School opened the school's 182nd academic year yesterday with convocation ceremonies held at Memorial Church.

One of the event's highlights was an address from Stillman Professor of Roman Catholic Theological Studies Francis Schussler-Fiorenza, on theological liberalism.

Schussler-Fiorenza, who is the second tenured faculty member to hold the Stillman Chair in Roman Catholic studies, defended the role of pluralism and diversity.

Mallinckrodt Professor of Divinity emeritus, Gordon D. Kaufman, was enthusiastic about the issues Schussler-Fiorenza raised in his speech.

"I thought it was a very fine address laying out a new liberalism fitting the traditions of Harvard Divinity School and suggesting some of the directions in which the school should move forward," Kaufman said.

Ronald F. Thiemann, who is dean of the Faculty of Divinity and O'Brian professor of divinity, gave an invocation addressing the need to amend the problems of the world outside of Harvard.

"We are reminded of the importance of the mission to which this school has committed itself: to be a place that combines academic excellence and spiritual insight, intellectual acumen and human compassion, analytical rigor and a commitment to justice," Thiemann said.

Peter J. Gomes, Plummer professor of Christian morals and Pusey minister in the Memorial Church, also offered a blessing to the students and faculty at the end of the convocation.

Other activities for the inauguration of the new academic year included a photo shoot of the Divinity School faculty in their academic garb on the steps of Memorial Church.

An informal luncheon for Divinity School faculty and students in John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Hall followed the convocation.

Currently, there are 500 students at the Divinity School, 173 of whom are first-year students.