‘Good riddance or good influence?’

‘Good Riddance or Good Influence? The Role of Church in a Pluralist Society’ is the title of an international conference in June, organised by the Loyola Institute of Catholic theology, Trinity College Dublin. According to Loyola Institute lecturer Dr Con Casey, speaking with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications, the conference aims at contributing to the Church’s examination of its mission in contemporary society.

He says the wide range of internationally renowned speakers and academics will address questions such as does the Church have a distinctive voice in the public square? Is the Catholic Church along with other Christian Churches, just another group fighting for a place in society, seeking to further their own interests? Or does the Catholic Church, along with other Christian Churches, have a different standing? A claim to be heard.

Over three days speakers such as  Terry Eagleton,( Lancaster), Catherine Pepinster (The Tablet) Massimo Faggioli (St Paul, Minnesota) Patrick Riordan (Heythrop, London) Bryan Hehir (Harvard) and Cardinal Reinhard Marx (Archbishop of Munich and Freising) will address the key issues in the continuing debate about Church and civil society.

The conference includes a gala dinner in the famous Trinity College dining hall and a tour of the world famous Book of Kells in the college.