Nicholas Lash to receive honorary degree from Durham University

Professor Nicholas Lash

Leading theologian Professor Nicholas Lash, will receive an honorary degree from Durham University tomorrow (Thursday) in recognition for his work.

Professor Lash spent six years in the Army before training for the priesthood. After resigning from the priesthood in 1976, by which point he was already recognised as an influential voice in Roman Catholic theology, he pursued an academic career.

He was elected to the Norris-Hulse Chair of Divinity in 1978, becoming the first Catholic to occupy a chair of theology at either Cambridge or Oxford since the Reformation. Professor Lash is now an Emeritus Fellow of Clare Hall at Cambridge.

His wide ranging theological interests have resulted in some highly influential publications and he has supervised many doctoral students who are now established theologians.

He will receive an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Durham University Chancellor Bill Bryson in a ceremony at Durham Cathedral at 9am on Thursday, June 30. A colloquium marking the honour bestowed on Professor Lash is to take place at St John's College, Durham University, from 11am to 6.30pm that day, culminating in a celebratory dinner that evening in St Chad's College.

Professor Lash, who is married to Janet and has a son, Dominic, said: "Theological study in Great Britain is among the best in the world and Durham is a leading centre for the study of Catholic life and thought.

"I am delighted to have been awarded this honour in recognition of my work and I am very happy to be able to share this moment with my family and fellow theologians."

Professor Paul D Murray, Director of the Durham Centre for Catholic Studies, said: "As one of the world's top universities for teaching and research in Theology and Religion, which is pioneering an explicit space for Catholic theology and Catholic studies in the secular, public academy, we are delighted to present Professor Lash with his honorary degree.

"It is fully-deserved and recognises his magnificent contribution to the field of contemporary Catholic theology in particular and philosophical theology more generally."

Source: Durham University