St Mary's Theologians Speak at Catholic Theological Association Annual Conference

Theologians from St Mary’s University, Twickenham played a key role in the annual conference of the Catholic Theological Association of Great Britain, which took place early in September. Hosted at the Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, the title of the conference was Sensus Fidelium: Listening for the Echo, and explored various ways in the Catholic Church in which people respond to and recognise Christian teachings. Three academics from St Mary’s were among the keynote speakers. Professor of Catholic Theology, the Revd Rod Strange gave a lecture entitled Newman on Consulting the Faithful: Context and Consequences. Director of the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies Dr Tarcisius Mukuka gave a presentation entitled Sensus Fidelium and the Politics of Initial Conversion of So-Called Pagans; and Director of the Aquinas Centre Dr Anthony Towey, led a session entitled Reading Together: Sensus Fidei and the Life of the Church. In addition a number of other past and present theologians from St Mary’s participated in the conference. Former Academic Director for Theology the Revd Dr Nick King SJ gave a short paper entitled Listening to the Echo: Acts 15 and an issue that could have torn the Church apart. Karen North, Joanna Hale, the Revd Dr Ashley Beck, Dr Duncan Macpherson and Professor Mary Grey also attended. At the Annual General Meeting of the association Programme Director for the BA Theology and Relgiious Studies programme at St Mary’s Prof John McDade was among those elected to the committee and the Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Ministry Revd Dr Ashley Beck was elected Vice-President. For more details of the association’s work see www.ctagb.org.uk.