News & Events

Friday 17th November, 5.30-8.00 pm - Saturday, 18th November, 10.00-4.00 pm in the Loyola Institute, Room G16. A conference, sponsored by the Loyola Institute and by Messenger Publications, to commemorate the anniversary of St Ignatius of Loyola‘s arrival as a pilgrim in Jerusalem in September 1523. His devotion to the land where Christ lived, taught, and died is central to the Spiritual Exercises, and in the development of his vision for the Society of Jesus. The event will open with a book launch on Friday evening of Ignatius in Jerusalem (Messenger Publications), by Prof. Josef Mario Briffa SJ. Prof. Briffa is a Maltese Jesuit and lecturer at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, in Rome and Jerusalem, with a background in archaeology.

Emmett O‘Regan one of our doctoral students, presenting his work at the European Society of Theology biannual conference held recently in Pécs, Hungary. Also, in attendance at the conference were Dr Michael Kirwan and Dr Fáinche Ryan

The fruits of the colloquium held at Trinity College Dublin have now been published and are available in a special edition of the Open Access publication Religions. In addition to the papers delivered by Cornelius J. Casey, Raphael Gallagher, Patrick Hannon, Desmond Ryan, Fáinche Ryan, Biörn Tjällén, Stefania Tutino at the colloquium on ‘Decision-making in an Uncertain Time’ (June 10th, 2022), Hugh Connolly and Martin McKeever have added to the richness of the publication.

Join us on Wednesday, September 27th, 7-8:30pm in the Trinity Long Room Hub. Free Event but booking required for attendence (Link here). While the figure of David endures in popular culture thanks to his bloody triumph over Goliath, a new study suggests that the animating impulse and primary theme of his ancient story is in fact the problem of ‘innocent blood’. Join chair Neville Cox (Law, TCD) and the author, David Shepherd (Loyola Institute, TCD) along with Ruth Karras (History, TCD), Michael Kirwan (Theology/Director of Loyola Institute, TCD) and Bridget Martin (Classics, UCD) for a discussion of this ancient interrogation of the perennial problem of violence from the perspectives of biblical studies, ethics, classics, religion/theology, and medieval history.

Join us for what promises to be a stimulating symposium that celebrates the art of stained glass. Explore the rich history of stained glass and its significance in Ireland and beyone. Conference Sold Out.

The Loyola Institute are delighted to announce that Julieann Moran‘s excellent presentation at our recent event reflecting on the theme of women and ministerial service in the Catholic Church, in the light of the synodal process, can be read in the current edition of Doctrine and Life. Doctrine and Life will also publish the Pottier analysis from this event in the September edition. These articles can be purchased in Hardcopy or Digitally via attached link.

We are delighted that School‘s longterm member of staff, Miss Dale Kundrotiene, pictured between the Provost, Prof. Linda Doyle and the Registrar, Prof. Neville Cox was part of the Senate‘s conferring of roughly 350 members of staff from across the university with the degree of MA(JO) to mark long service as Trinity staff and as members of the college community which took place on Saturday, 17th June 2023.

Prof. Ryan‘s talk to We Are Church Ireland on 18 May 2023 in Avila: Don‘t know much about Theology? Discover everything you ever wanted to know…. but were afraid to ask! Watch the video of the event by clicking here

Prof. Siobhán Garrigan pictured here with Loyola Institute Board Chair, Fr Tom Layden SJ, at the launch of the School‘s Strategic Plan 2023-28. Attendees included Trinity College Provost, Prof. Linda Doyle, Vice-Provost, Prof. Orla Sheils and the Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Gail McElroy. The plan included submissions from the Director of the Loyola Institute, Prof. Michael KIrwan and is the fruition of several months of in-depth consultation. It provides a vision for the School to further unite, flourish, and mature in the years ahead.

We are delighted to tell you that Doctrine and Life has published the three papers from our Loyola Institute Lenten Series ‘Authentic, Effective Reform in the Church: Reading Yves Congar Today’ The papers are ‘What is Reform?’ by Dr Cornelius Casey: ‘Is Reform Possible?’ by Dr Fáinche Ryan: ‘True and False Reform Today‘ by Dr Gemma Simmonds. You can buy the latest issue of Doctrine and Life for €4 here (or you could of course become an annual subscriber).

You are invited to two events in celebration of and solidarity with the Tonga people of Zimbabwe. On Friday 19th May there will be a book launch of ‘The People of the Great River: The Tonga Hoped the Water Would Follow Them’, by Michael Tremmel and the River Tonga People. On Saturday 20th May, there will be an informal seminar: ‘Giving Voice: the Social Justice Voice of Christian Mission’, with the launch of a new video, ‘The People of the Great River’. For Registration and more information please see the attached.

You are invited to two events in celebration of and solidarity with the Tonga people of Zimbabwe. On Friday 19th May there will be a book launch of ‘The People of the Great River: The Tonga Hoped the Water Would Follow Them’, by Michael Tremmel and the River Tonga People. On Saturday 20th May, there will be an informal seminar: ‘Giving Voice: the Social Justice Voice of Christian Mission’, with the launch of a new video, ‘The People of the Great River’. For Registration and more information please see the attached.

Video‘s from the Public symposium which took place in the Loyola Institute on 14-15 April 2023. It gathered reflections upon the theme of women and ministerial service in the Roman Catholic Church, in the light of the synodal process. It provided an update on the current discussion regarding women deacons, and its relevance to the needs of a changing Church in Ireland and in Europe. Speakers included Dr Phyllis Zagano, Dr Bernard Pottier SJ, Prof. Jessie Rogers, Prof. Margit Eckholt, Prof. Judith Gruber, Julieann Moran, Gerry O‘Hanlon SJ. Click here for Vidoe‘s.

In our Newsletter you will find reports of our events over the last six months, along with information about the activities of our staff and students. We would like to draw your attention to the public events which are planned for April and May 2023. For more information please see the attached.

Prof. Fáinche Ryan article is featured in the May/June issue of Africa Magazine. To read same click here.

In conversation with Rev Bob Kikuyu, Christian Aids head of Global Theology. Join us on Friday, 21st April from 10.30 am - 12-30 pm in the Irish School of Ecumenics, School of Religion, Theology and Peace Studies where Rev. Kikuyu will reflect theologically on the Loss and Davage caused by the climate crisis as we search for signs of hope and recovery. RSVP damian@irishchurches.org.

This public symposium taking place in the Loyola Institute, Room G16, Trinity College Dublin on 14-15 April 2023, will gather reflections upon the theme of women and ministerial service in the Roman Catholic Church, in the light of the synodal process. It will provide an update on the current discussion regarding women deacons, and its relevance to the needs of a changing Church in Ireland and in Europe. Confirmed speakers: Dr Phyllis Zagano; Dr. Bernard Pottier SJ, Prof. Jessie Rogers; Prof. Margit Eckholt, Prof. Judith Gruber, Julieann Moran, Gerry O‘Hanlon SJ. ADMISSION FREE but registration required via EVENTBRITE as numbers are limited.

Congratulations to our BA Religion UG student, Bruna Ciulli, who successfully submitted an essay to the latest edition of Evergreen (Trinity‘s Environmental Magazine) called ‘The Obstructed Horizon‘ - Page 17.

In Ireland today, almost 12,000 people are homeless. What can theology teach us about how to respond? The speaker at the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice Annual Lecture 2023 is moral theologian Dr Suzanne Mulligan who will examine Ireland‘s housing crisis, asking questions about economics, social inclusion, and the common good. Takes place on 25th April 2023 at 7pm, Ignatian Chapel, Gardiner Street Jesuit Centre

Michael Kirwan SJ will argue that Girard’s insights can help resolve the church’s current divisions and inner tensions – and help all Christians become equal synodal partners in the united servant church that Jesus foresaw. Zoom presentation on Thursday March 30th, 2023, at 8.00pm. The event is being organised by the Association of Catholics in Ireland. See the ACI website for details:

Prof. Michael Kirwan will be speaking at the upcoming International Workshop hosted by St Patrick‘s Pontifical University 28-29 April, 2023. For more inforamtion and booking go to Eventbrite.ie

On Wednesday 5th April, we are delighted to welcome visiting speaker Dr Adriaan van Klinken (University of Leeds) for a lecture on the interaction of Christian Imagination and African Queer Worldmaking. The lecture discusses a range of examples – of African theologians, Christian organisations, and LGBTQ activists and artists – that illustrate the potential within African Christian traditions and cultures to counter conservative anti-LGBTQ dynamics and to enable for African queer worldmaking. In short, the lecture will explore how Christianity can be utilised as a major resource for a liberating imagination and politics of sexuality and social justice in Africa today. This free event will take place in the Davis Theatre, 6.00- 7.30pm, Wed 5th April. Please follow the link for more information and to book a place.

Loyola Institute Lenten Series ‘Authentic, Effective Reform in the Church: Reading Yves Congar Today‘. This gound-breaking book by Yves Congar, ‘True and False Reform in the Church‘ influenced the future pope John XXIII and his vision for the Second Vatican Council. Our series of lectures will re-read Congar, and explore how this classic text can help us today in our synodal journey. The final lecture takes place on Tuesday March 28th at 7.30 pm in Loyola Institute ‘True or False Reform Today‘ - Lecture by Prof Gemma Simmonds

Loyola Institute Lenten Series ‘Authentic, Effective Reform in the Church: Reading Yves Congar Today‘. This gound-breaking book by Yves Congar, ‘True and False Reform in the Church‘ influenced the future pope John XXIII and his vision for the Second Vatican Council. Our series of lectures will re-read Congar, and explore how this classic text can help us today in our synodal journey. The second lecture takes place on Tuesday March 14th at 7.30 pm in Loyola Institute - Is Reform Possible? Conditions for Authentic Reform- Lecture by Dr Fáinche Ryan

There will be an open evening for those interested in postgraduate study with the Loyola Institute, on Monday 17th April, from 6.30 - 8 pm. The evening will include a ‘sample’ lecture and an opportunity to meet the teaching staff; this will be followed by a reception. The event will be held in the ISE-Loyola Building, Trinity College

Loyola Institute Lenten Series ‘Authentic, Effective Reform in the Church: Reading Yves Congar Today‘. This gound-breaking book by Yves Congar, ‘True and False Reform in the Church‘ influenced the future pope John XXIII and his vision for the Second Vatican Council. Our series of lectures will re-read Congar, and explore how this classic text can help us today in our synodal journey. First lecture on Tuesday Feb 28th at 7.30 in Loyola Institute - True and False Reform in the Church: What is Reform - Lecture by Dr Cornelius Casey

There was a full theatre in Trinity College Dublin on Wednesday (1st February) as the Loyola Institute and the Irish Province of Carmelites welcomed Dr Prof Fernando Millán, O.Carm. (Prior General 2007 – 2019) to lecture on this most interesting saint, and his resistance, as priest, teacher and journalist, to National Socialism, and his ongoing battle for truth and freedom in journalism, and for people’s lives. Titus Brandsma a Dutch Carmelite friar and theologian, was canonised on May 15th 2022. Brandsma is perhaps best known for his heroic resistance against the Nazi occupation and his death in the Dachau concentration camp. He was also a journalist of note, seeing journalism as an excellent ‘modern’ opportunity to give the spiritual life a place in the increasingly secularising society. Fr. Titus forcefully spoke out against Nazi’s anti-Jewish laws, and his ever-burning passion for truth and freedom shone through in his journalism, and his life.

Titus Brandsma, a Dutch Carmelite priest and theologian, killed “in hatred of the faith” in the Dachau concentration camp in 1942 was proclaimed a canonized saint by Pope Francis in 2022. Described as a journalist-martyr of the 20th Century Fr Brandsma O. Carm. refused to publish Nazi propaganda, was outspoken and was opposed to anti-Jewish laws being promulgated by the Nazis. Thanks to the generous support of the Carmelite Order, we are delighted to welcome Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. (Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid) to address us on Titus Brandsma: Ethical Resistance in Turbulent Times. Wednesday, February 15th at 7.30 pm, The Thomas Davis Lecture Theatre, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin.

Prof. Erickson will be speaking at the Center for Process Studies in Claremont, California, for its 50th Anniversary Conference 15th-17th February. Much of the conference programme will be available virtually (Click here). The conference features three days of exciting dialogues with a new generation of process scholars and theologians, engaging themes of Reenchanting Religion, Science and Philosophy, and Ecological Civilization and Climate Justice. Process is one of the major schools today influencing theological reflection as well as many different religious, humanist, and nonreligious worldviews. Inspired by the work of mathematician and philosopher Alfred North Whitehead (1861-1947), the Center for Process Studies was founded by John Cobb and David Ray Griffin and “offers an agenda on the social, political, and economic order that brings issues of human justice together with a concern for ecology. In these and other ways, process thinkers hope to contribute to those movements that will carry the world beyond war, injustice, and despair.”

The series consists of three themed evenings, (Feb 1, 2023 lecture postponed and further dates to be advised) from 5.30 to 8.00 pm in Loyola Institute in Trinity College Dublin. The Faith Seeking Understanding series will explore the relationship between theology and mystical spirituality, and its relevance for the task of becoming mystics. Registration via Eventbrite (Link Here)

The Book of Kells, one of the greatest treasures of Trinity College Dublin, is perhaps the most renowned illustrated manuscript of the early medieval period. In studying this module the students will learn the theology and the iconography of this wonderful manuscript. The module is for those who have an interest in the Ireland of the early medieval world. It is suitable for all who have a curiosity about theology, about the early Irish Church, as well as those who may be considering undertaking further studies in theology. This is a daytime course and comprises of a two-hour lecture once a week (Mondays at 2 pm) for an eleven-week term starting 23rd January 2023. There is no assessment for those who attend as auditors. The classes take place on the Trinity College Dublin campus.