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Australasian Catholic Coalition for Church Reform (ACCCR) and Garratt Publishing present
TOWARDS PROMOTING THEOLOGY
What does it mean for us?
Monday 27 May 2024
In his Apostolic Letter of November 2023, Towards Promoting Theology (Ad Theologiam Promovendam), Pope Francis calls for a ‘paradigm shift’ in theology for the world of today. Theology is ‘to start from the different contexts and concrete situations in which peoples are inserted’, allowing themselves ‘to be seriously challenged by reality’, to discern the ‘signs of the times’ in the light of the gospel. Click here to view the Vatican News article regarding the letter.
What does this mean for lay Catholics, parish clergy and theologians?
Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, SJ, a Nigerian theologian and Dean of the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, discussed this question and its implications for the sense of faith of the faithful. Andrea Dean, Chair of WATAC (Women and the Australian Church), was the Moderator, drawing out Agbonkhianmeghe on relevant points and fielding questions from participants in a Q&A session. The Respondent was Dr Angela McCarthy, senior lecturer in theology at The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle campus.
The webinar was recorded and is available to view below.
SPEAKER
Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, SJ
Agbonkhianmeghe is Dean of the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University (JST-SCU), and was president of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar, responsible for leading the inter-provincial mission of the Society of Jesus in the region. A stirring public speaker, Orobator is especially known for his scholarship and talks on ecclesiology as well as theological ethics, human rights, and human dignity, especially fuller participation of women in the life of the Church. He is a delegate to the 36th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus and one of the most important theological voices in Africa. Orobator recently spoke at the Continental Synodal Assembly for the Church in Africa about how a ‘listening Church’ should be home for sisters and brothers who feel left out because of marginalization, patriarchy, or clericalism in the Church.
MODERATOR
Andrea Dean
Andrea is the President of Women and the Australian Church (WATAC) and lives in Canberra. She grew up in Adelong in southern NSW and is a country girl at heart. After years of working in Catholic schools, institutions, and agencies she finds herself (happily) on the fringe of the Church. These days she finds joy in working in the community sector, seeing others flourish and experiencing the delights and challenges of being a dog owner!
RESPONDER
Dr Angela McCarthy
Angela is a senior lecturer in theology at The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle campus and has also completed a Research Masters in Theology in the field of Scripture, art and theology. She is editor of the Australian Journal of Liturgy, WA convenor and immediate Past President for the Australian Academy of Liturgy, Chairperson of the Mandorla Art Award, Member of the Chamber of Arts and Culture WA, and an editor of Pastoral Liturgy.
YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED
ACCCR works to bring about the Church we dream of – a Christ-like Church. Pope Francis’ Synod on Synodality is a moment of hope for the Church. Synodality is all the baptised working together equally in the Church’s mission. We encourage all Catholics to be involved in synodal activities. For this we need resources to pay for events as we build on previous convocations and publications. All ACCCR members involved volunteer their time and effort.
Donations can be made at the following link: https://www.mycause.com.au/p/331884
