What was described by TCD provost Dr Patrick Prendergast as “a milestone in the institutional development of Catholic theology in Ireland” took place at the university yesterday with the opening of a new theology Institute.
It follows agreement between TCD and the eight religious congregations associated with the Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy. The congregations established an independent Loyola Institute Trust and have set up an endowment fund to supportit.
Officially launched yesterday by Dr Prendergast, he said the institute’s vision was “to engage in critical reflection and scholarly research on the Christian faith, social justice and contemporary culture with the intellectual resources of the Catholic tradition”
Students there would “study the theology of a tradition that has marked Irish history and identity and has created intercultural connections. They will discuss and debate contemporary views on the role of religion in the public sphere and contribute to debates about the position of faith communities in pluralist democracies,” he said.
Fr Thomas Layden, provincial of the Irish Jesuits, welcomed the establishment of the new Institute “for education and research in theology in the Catholic tradition on the campus of this great university.”
Further details at www.tcd.ie/loyola-institute/