The Tasks of Theology in Europe Today
Congress organised by the European Society for Catholic Theology, Trinity College, Dublin
Every two years the European Society for Catholic Theology organises an international congress which is held in various places throughout Europe. This year the congress took place on August 20th – 23rd at Trinity College, Dublin sponsored by the Loyola Institute Trust.
The overall aim of the conference was to “address the relevance of theology for contemporary Europe with its many challenges.” I was among the 300 scholars and students who came from various parts of Europe to participate in the conference. It was a packed programme with four keynote speakers in the morning and a wide selection of parallel papers each afternoon.
Among the keynote speakers were the following:
Professor Janet Soskice (Emeritus Professor of Philosophical Theology at the University of Cambridge) who addressed the theme “Have We Forgotten God, The Creator?” exploring how the Western Churches had put theological emphasis on redemption rather than creation. She argued that there is a need to recover the deeper understanding of the doctrine of Creation reminding us that “if we forget God the Creator, our doctrine of God becomes too small, and much of the Christian message implausible.”
Professor Tomáš Halik (Charles University, Prague) spoke about reading the “signs of the times” and for a new theological approach as called for in Pope Francis’s document Ad Theologiam Promovendam. He situated his presentation in the context of war, violence and diversion in Europe highlighting the responsibility of theologians to address the complexity of war and its effects rather than opting for easy answers. He urged theologians to engage in dialogue with other faith traditions along with those from a secular perspective, so that together we can work towards reconciliation, healing and bring hope in these challenging times.
Professor Franziska Schnoor (Abbey Library of St Gall) gave a very creative presentation on Early medieval Irish theology on the continent: St Columbanus, St Gall and the Irish manuscripts at the Abbey Library of St Gall. A number of these manuscripts are part of an exhibition entitled “Words on the Wave” in the National Museum of Ireland.
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline (Archbishop of Marseille, France) spoke on Petite théologie de la mission. He warned that “where there is a deficit of theology it is often paid for by the excess of ideology.” He reminded us that the place of the Church is “to be on the fractured lines of humanity.” The place for doing theology is within our everyday experience remembering that “God so loved the world (not so loved the church) that he sent his only son” (John 3:16).
Others addressed the critical issue of bioethics and its challenges for end of life and the beginning of life. The Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Msgr Paul Tighe addressed the topic, “Theology and Mission in an Age of Artificial Intelligence.” Professor Mark Chapman (University of Oxford) addressed the theme of Theology, Europe and the Persistence of War: looking at what have we learned, if anything, from the two world wars!
The parallel papers provided a rich variety of topics and an opportunity to enter into discussion and debate with participants from across Europe. Frances Baker rsm, a moral theologian and member of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG), presented two parallel papers: “Growing in holiness: Moral formation in Seminaries” and “Enda McDonagh in the light of Ad theologiam promovendam”.
Theology in Europe today faces many challenges. Serious questions such as climate change, the movement of peoples, the dignity of human life in an era of technological advance, inequality and war along with the mishandling of sexual and spiritual abuse offer fertile grounded for engaging in the work of theology today. Networking is important which reaffirms the importance of the European Society for Catholic Theology (ESCT).
I enjoyed the conference even though each day was very full. It offered plenty material for reflection in the coming months.I am delighted that Dr Fáinche Ryan, Trinity College Dublin, was elected as the President of the ESCT at the conclusion of the Conference. The next European Conference will be in two years’ time and it will be held in Luxembourg.
Sheila Curran
Northern Branch
