As a lay Catholic Institute in the heart of Cambridge and part of the Cambridge Theological Federation, we resource lay people theologically both within and outside of the Catholic tradition. We provide specialist theological education and open learning opportunities for both individuals and groups.
We offer courses, study days, workshops, seminars and conferences that promote the study of theology, ethics, philosophy, pastoral practice, spirituality and theological reflection in dynamic ways that seek to meet and address twenty-first century global needs. In line with our foundational principles, we continue to promote the resourcing of women through a community life that is open to all. Through our teaching and learning we facilitate exchange with art, culture and social justice initiatives. We resource schools, parishes, hospitals, prisons and other institutions with expertise, training and pastoral support. Our theology engages with different professional and community-based (service) needs and perspectives. This is enriched and enabled by an interdisciplinary approach that is at the heart of our educational work. Many of our students gain qualifications from the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University (DTM, BA, MA, MPhil, PhD, DProf).
Portrait of Lady Margaret Beaufort by Meynnart Wewyck Image supplied by: St John’s College, University of Cambridge
Featured
Centre for Ecclesial Ethics Symposium
Listening for a Vigilent and Vulnerable Church
— exploring an ecclesial ethics of listening —
What happens to me, to us and our Church when we attentively listen? What are the ecclesial blind spots that hinder our listening and stop us from noticing? Which ecclesial imaginaries influence our visions or distort our listening? What does it mean to enter into each others stories in a climate of polarisation? What does it mean for the Church to enact transformation as a result of attentive listening? What official or professional roles in the Church can impair their holder’s capacity to listen? These are just a few of the questions that emerged from our exploration of an ecclesial ethics of listening, that was the focus of the first symposium of the Centre for Ecclesial Ethics in Cambridge on 20th May 2022. Twenty scholars and practitioners, bishops and priests from across the UK, Ireland and the US gathered in the Lash Library at the Margaret Beaufort Institute to reflect upon the ecclesiological and ethical implications of attentive listening for a vigilant and vulnerable Church. What followed was a challenging and inspiring dialogue that was enriched and shaped by expert and moving insights into the significance of vulnerability and vigilance, collective and variegated listening and moral and spiritual imagination for an ecclesial ethics of listening.
