News and Events

Biblical Studies Research Seminar 2013/14

Co-organized by the Department of Religions & Theology and the Loyola Institute, the Biblical Studies Research Seminar provides a forum for the dissemination and discussion of biblical studies research produced by staff and postgraduate students of the College as well as distinguished visitors from Ireland and around the wider scholarly world.  The seminar aims to nurture an environment which is both constructively critical and collegial and is open to all with a serious interest in biblical studies beyond the undergraduate level.

Fridays from 10:00 - 12:00 A.M. in the Long Room Hub. Find the programme for 2013 here.

New Appointments in the Loyola Institute

The Loyola Institute is delighted to announce the recent appointment of Dr. Fáinche Ryan MA, STL, STD, as Assistant Professor in Systematic Theology in the Loyola Institute. Dr. Ryan has formally taught in Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge, a college of the Cambridge Theological Federation, and was an Affiliated Lecturer at the Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge. Her most recent appointment was as Lecturer in Theology at the Mater Dei Institute. In September 2013 she will join the newly established Loyola Institute where she will lecture in Systematic Theology.

The Loyola Institute is also pleased to announce the recent appointment of Dr. David Shepherd as Assistant Professor in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament in the Loyola Institute. Following doctoral studies at New College (University of Edinburgh) and academic appointments in Canada and Belfast, Dr. Shepherd took up a faculty post in Hebrew Bible in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Chester (England) in 2011.  In addition to his teaching, supervision and research responsibilities in Hebrew Bible and its reception, Dr. Shepherd will be co-chairing the Biblical Studies Research Seminar, a joint initiative of the Religions and Theology Department and the Loyola Institute.

Loyola Chair of Catholic Theology

Interviews have taken place. An announcement of the new appointee will take place very shortly.

International Conference: Theology in the University

On October 22nd 2013 the Loyola Institute will host a lecture by Professor Peter Strohschneider. The title of his lecture is 'Religious Pluralities and the Question of Theologies at the University'.

Professor Strohschneider was Chair of the German Wissenschaftsrat (2006 – 2010). In 2010 this body published its ‘Recommendations on the Advancement of Theologies and Sciences concerned with Religions at German Universities’’. 

The lecture will be followed by a Round Table discussion on ‘Theology in the Modern University – its contributions and its challenges’. Professor Strohschneider will be joined by, among others, Professor Terrence Merrigan, (Professor of  Systematic Theology at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, KU Leuven) and Professor Thomas H. Tobin, (Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, Loyola University of Chicago.)

Discussion of the theme 'Theology in the modern university': 'challenges and contributions' will be further addressed in a series of events planned for the Spring and Autumn of 2014.

Research Theme: Identities in Transformation

The School of Religions, Theology and Ecumenics, including the Loyola Institute, is participating in this research theme. The theme was officially launched on Wednesday 24th April 2013, by the President Michael D Higgins. Photographs below are from this event.

Official Launch of the Loyola Institute at TCD

The Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Patrick Prendergast and The Chair of the Loyola Institute Trust, Fr Thomas Layden SJ, officially launched the Loyola Institute in The Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin
on Monday 12 November 2012.

Pictured right:

Dr Patrick Prendergast, Provost of TCD,

Fr Thomas Layden SJ , the Provincial of the Irish Jesuit Province and Chair of the Loyola Institute Trust,

Dr Cornelius Casey, Director of the Loyola Institute

The Press release from the launch can be read here.

The Provost opened the event and his speech can be read here.

Fr Thomas Layden SJ gave an address which can be read here.

Dr Cornelius J Casey, Director of Loyola Institute's speech at the launch can be viewed here.