USHAW - 24 January 2008 - 4340 words
Ushaw Colloquium 'a huge success'
Ged Naughton
A gathering of top international theologians which took place at Ushaw College from January 16 to 20 has been declared a huge success.
The Colloquium - 'Formation for the Future - Discovering Mutually Receptive Gifts' - marked the beginning of the college's bicentennial celebrations in the year 2008.
Unlike a conference, which aims to finish
with a shared conclusion, the purpose of the Colloquium was to
bring people together from different backgrounds and diverse ecumenical
groups, to start discussions on the topic. Theologians from Australia,
US, Ireland, The Netherlands, Latvia and other parts of Europe
spent three days listening to research on religious formation
in those three areas, and discussing the subject from their
various perspectives. The Colloquium's theme was chosen to reflect
Ushaw's continuing work in the formation of people for the priesthood,
as lay
ministers and as deacons.
Brendan Geary, Director of Human Formation
at Ushaw College and one of the organisers of the Colloquium,
said: "It was wonderful. People kept telling me there was
a feeling of ease about the Colloquium. I enjoyed it, and found
it interesting and stimulating. It was clear that the purpose
of the
gathering was for people to talk to each other and spend time
together, and that atmosphere was apparent throughout.
"The sharing groups worked really
well, as the participants had research data, theology, and ecumenical
and formation perspectives to bring to their
discussions. If you want to bring people of different perspectives
together, this seemed to be the way to do it. It's a distinctive
method and it gives a
more realistic and stimulating mix.
"Our aim for the Colloquium was that it should be a space for people to talk and listen and think, and we definitely succeeded in achieving that.
Organiser Fr Philip Gillespie also said: "It all took place within the context of Liturgical Prayer, good food and hospitality - and a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.
"On behalf of the whole Community of Ushaw College I extend my thanks to all those who responded to the invitation to gather together for these days which I believe have been both enriching and enlightening - and which are surely the perfect way of beginning the Celebration of our 200 years on this site in Durham - by looking to the future."
© Independent Catholic
News 2008
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