Ecumenical conversations at Oxford university
Irish Jesuit theologian Gerry O’Hanlon recently took part in an ecumenical seminar at Oxford University. The event was held in Campion Hall where Gerry and Marc Chapman, Professor of Modern Theology in Oxford engaged in conversation on the topic of ‘Anglican and Catholic Synodality’.
The seminar was one of a series of four, convened by John Barton and Brian MacCuarta SJ. All four seminars were structured as conversations between Anglican and Catholic speakers on themes relevant to the life of the Christian community.
The seminars aimed to provide a forum of respectful and positive engagement across denominational lines in the hope that the discussions would foster mutual understanding and develop areas of existing and potential collaborations. It was hoped that the distinctiveness of the the two traditions would also be highlighted.
On his return to Ireland, Gerry spoke with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications about his meeting in Oxford. He talked about the contribution made by Professor Chapman, and outlined the main points of discussion in his own talk.
He also spoke to her about the importance of the role of women in the synodal processes initiated by the late Pope Francis. He expressed the hopes he has for the further inclusion of women in leadership and liturgical roles in the Catholic, if those processes continue to be customised and developed in parishes around the world.
