Events for January 18 - 10 June 2023

This study day will reflect on some historical shifts and developments in moral thinking and teaching of the Catholic Church.  In response to Pope Francis’ invitation to become a more discerning and participatory Church, we will attempt to formulate a tentative agenda for contemporary ecclesial ethics.  We will explore such questions as ‘what does it mean to "get hands dirty" and "look" into the dysfunctional parts of our Church’s life?’; ‘what are the areas of good practice?’; ‘how to handle well tensions and disagreements?’; ‘what does it mean to apply Catholic social teaching to the structures of the Church?’; ‘how [...]

In the early years of the Second World War T.S. Eliot wrote to a friend: “In the midst of what is going on now, it is hard, when you sit down at a desk, to feel confident that morning after morning spent fiddling with words and rhythms is a justified activity.”  In a time of global crises – the pandemic, forced migration, climate emergency, racial injustice – some may ask themselves the same question as Eliot: What good are the arts when the world hurts in so many ways? In this course we will look at how different artists - from [...]

This study day will explore two of the most influential thinkers and faith leaders of the twentieth century.  Merton, a Catholic priest/monk and Heschel, a Jewish rabbi embodied the prophetic imagination in their writing, in their relationships and in their lives. Through them, we will see how the issues of their time – race, technological advances, interfaith relations, failures in the exercise of ethical leadership and the search for authenticity in religious practice – are the self-same issues that challenge us in the twenty-first century. A dialogue of hearts, minds and souls with opportunity for active engagement and reflection. Course [...]

There is surely nothing more difficult to talk about than suffering and yet surely no subject where it is more necessary that we speak responsibly. This course does not aim to provide an answer to “the problem of pain” – because that is impossible. Rather, it is hoped that it may provide some resources from the Christian tradition to help us to approach our own pain and that of others with confidence and compassion. Course Leader: Dr Ann Swailes OP Date: Wednesday, 26th January 2022, 10.30am– 4.00pm (includes lunch and coffee breaks) Cost: £50 Early birds get £5 off if [...]

Dr Charlotte Methuen will consider the contribution of women in the German Reformation, particularly women who published controversial works in support of Luther's ideas.  These include the former nuns Florentina von Oberweimar and Ursula von Münsterberg, whose works were endorsed by Luther, the lay women Argula von Grumbach, Ursula Weyda, Katharina Schutz Zell, and the anonymous author of two polemical treatises.  The paper will show how women justified their contributions to Reformation debates, despite efforts to silence them coming from on both sides of Reformation debates, and assess their influence. Date/Time:  Thursday 27 January 2022 at 2:00pm to 3:30pm Cost:  [...]