DURHAM - 4 March 2008 - 520 words
Durham Centre for Catholic Studies is UK first
The establishment of the first Chair of Catholic Theology in a mainstream secular British university was announced yesterday. The Chair is to be based at Durham University's Department of Theology and Religion.
The announcement was made in the aftermath of the very sad news of the death of the Rt Rev Kevin Dunn, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle (2004-08) who passed away on Saturday evening. Bishop Kevin had personally led the campaign to raise the required £2 million endowment to establish the Bede Chair of Catholic Theology.
A leading Roman Catholic scholar is now being sought to become the first holder of the Bede Chair. Distinguished theologians; men and women, from all over the world have already expressed an interest in applying for this prestigious post. An appointment is expected in order for the Chair to commence at the beginning of the new academic year in September.
The Chair, in conjunction with the Durham Centre for Catholic Studies, will provide a unique portal and platform offering the opportunity for critical exploration of pressing issues within contemporary Catholicism.
Alongside pursuing cutting-edge research,
the holder of the Bede Chair will present annual public lectures
and will help to resource an extensive outreach programme across
the region. Plans include a series of informal events, 'Theology
on Tap', involving open access meetings in public rooms - perhaps
pubs or coffee bars. Dr Paul D Murray of the Department of Theology
and Religion at Durham University and member of the fund raising
team explained;
'This exciting development is a measure of the way in which the
UK has become a real centre for world-class Catholic theology.
Openness, accessibility and critical exploration are essential
ingredients of mutual understanding within Faiths and between
Faiths and qualities which benefit all theological debate.
'We are immensely grateful to all our partners who have made this possible and our thoughts are particularly with Bishop Kevin Dunn and his family and friends at this very sad time, as they are also with Canon Seamus Cunningham and the people of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
'We hope that the Bede Chair of Catholic Theology will become a beacon of learning.
'Set in this world class University and in the region which is the home of St Bede, the most learned man of his age, the partners to this project believe that we now have the opportunity to help create another great centre of learning for the people of this region and well beyond. The Bede Chair will act as the figurehead of the Durham Centre for Catholic Studies and will also play a key role in the outreach work for the benefit of theologians and laity alike.'
The Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, Professor Christopher Higgins, said: 'The establishment of the Bede Chair of Catholic Theology is an excellent development, clearly for the Department of Theology and Religion and, importantly, for the standing of Durham University and the North East of England. It is an innovative move which has the potential to serve widely. I am encouraged by the enthusiasm and support with which the Chair has been both conceived and accomplished. I congratulate those responsible for their foresight and commitment and look forward with great interest to the opportunities which I am confident will ensue.'
The £2 million required to establish
the Chair has been funded through a partnership between:
* the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle led by the recently deceased
Bishop of Hexham & Newcastle, Rt Rev. Kevin Dunn (RIP),
* the religious orders of the Sisters of Mercy (Sunderland, Oaklea)
and the Sisters of La Retraite (Britain and Ireland) and
* the Ballinger Trust
Fr Michael Campion (St Mary & St Joseph's, Newton Aycliffe and Chairman of St Cuthberts Care), Austin Donohoe (Executive Director of St Cuthberts Care), Dr Paul D Murray (Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University) and Canon Robert Spence (Governor of St Bedes, Lanchester and Chaplain to St Cuthberts Care) have been responsible for fundraising and enlisting support for the project.
A further £250,000 seed funding, of which over £100,000 has already been raised, is required to run the Durham Centre for Catholic Studies - with which the Chair is intimately linked - for the first five years. Ampleforth Abbey has made a commitment to this fund.
Speaking on behalf of the fundraising committee, Austin Donohoe said: 'The dual establishment of the Bede Chair of Catholic Theology and the Durham Centre for Catholic Studies is a major achievement. Combining world-class research and an imaginative outreach programme, this will be a tremendous resource for the people of the Diocese, and one of which they can be justly proud.'
Both the Bede Chair and the Centre for
Catholic Studies will be officially launched at an international
conference to be held between 8th and 10th May during which a
series of Public Lectures will be hosted by Durham's Department
of Theology and Religion on "Catholic Theology and the Public
Academy".
more information about the Durham Centre
for Catholic Studies and its official opening in May, visit:
www.centreforcatholicstudies.co.uk
© Independent Catholic News 2008
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