Catholic Theological Association to Hold Four-Day Conference at St Mary’s

The Catholic Theological Association (CTA) is to hold their annual conference at St Mary’s University, Twickenham in September. The four-day conference will begin on Monday 8th September with the theme of Church, Theology and War: Remembrance and Collusion. Noting the centenary anniversary of World War I, the conference offers the opportunity to reflect on the war in context and in relation to matters of church, religion and theology. A host of guest speakers from institutions over the UK will share their expertise in theology including Dr Michael Snape from the University of Birmingham (discussing Foxhole, Faith and the Religion of the GI in World War II) and Prof John Pollard, formerly of the University of East Anglia (who will speak on Papal Diplomacy and the Great War). Representatives from St Mary’s include Vice-Chancellor Designate Francis Campbell, who will chair a panel discussion on A World Without War?, Programme Director in Pastoral Ministry Dr Ashley Beck, who is delivering the first session of the Conference - How Catholic Teaching about War Has Changed: the Issues in View - and Theology Lecturer Tarcisius Mukuka, who is to lead A Reading in Common of Pacem in Terris: Towards a Theology of Peace-making. Formed in 1984, the CTA was founded to provide Catholic theologians in higher education with new contacts and an opportunity to debate common interests. A conference is held every year, the first held at Trinity and All Saints College, Leeds in September 1985. While the conference is held for members of the Association, non-members are welcomed to a public open day on Tuesday 9th September, at a cost of £38 with students offered a discount rate of £23. Registration for the event is open and you can book your place at the website.