Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin has reiterated his criticism of the
standards of theological research in Ireland saying that though Ireland
was a traditionally Catholic country, it did not have a proportionate
level of theological research and that school catechesis, “despite the
good will of teachers, did not produce young Catholics prepared to join
in the Christian community.”
In an address at St Patrick’s College Maynooth to launch three volumes of proceedings of the Maynooth Patristic Symposium, the leader of the Church in Dublin referred back to his address before Communion and Liberation’s Rimini conference last August.
Dr Martin told the assembled Catholic, Church of Ireland and Presbyterian scholars, “I was somewhat surprised at the reaction to what I said – there was little that I hadn’t said on earlier occasions and I believe that what I was saying was not just fair but factually accurate. I still do so.”
Referring to the three volumes of proceedings being launched, Dr Martin said, “This evening we are in the presence of serious theological reflection – especially patristic reflection.” He praised the ecumenical dimension of the research and congratulated Professor Vincent Twomey, SVD (pictured) and his three co-editors.
In his address, the Archbishop said he was pleased that the launch was taking place in St Patrick’s College which, he said was “not just a seminary – St Patrick’s College must be a theological presence within our culture, alongside the other theological faculties that we have in Ireland.”
“We need the presence of quality, solid theological research which is not without its application to the reality of the society we live in.”
The Archbishop, who is Vice Chancellor of St Patrick’s College added, “I would hope that this evening’s launch could be looked at as a re-launch – a new beginning – a moment of renewed commitment to Irish-based theological research which can find its place in research communities and in the readings of theologians worldwide.”
He also strongly criticised the culture of political correctness which is marginalising faith in the political and even the religious spheres.
Dr Martin told the Maynooth launch that “To be against the politically correct is to put yourself definitively outside the pale.”
He warned that “When political correctness moves from the civil sphere into the religious one, and when political correctness becomes in people’s minds a norm of interpretation of doctrine – then the Church rapidly empties herself of her real mission.”
The Archbishop of Dublin also hit out at those who seek to exploit the life and legacy of Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman “as a tag for publicity reasons.”
Underlining the importance of liberal education as envisaged by Cardinal Newman, who in 1851 accepted an invitation from Cardinal Paul Cullen of Dublin to set up a Catholic University in the city which resulted in the establishment of University College Dublin, Archbishop Martin said, “I feel sometimes that those who lay claim to the inheritance of Newman and exclude reflection on faith and reason from their basic presentation, are betraying Newman.”
He added, “We have to get across to people that you can’t just use Newman as a tag for publicity reasons.”
He said a time of economic pressure “would inevitably lead to calls for greater pragmatism in education,” and that there was a real danger that the sort of liberal education espoused by Newman might be threatened.
“Liberal education belongs to all seasons including the season of recession,” Dr Martin said, as he underlined Newman’s plan for a university in Dublin in the immediate aftermath of the famine.
“Without liberal education we lose the sense of education, and the very ability to philosophise will be undermined. To lose the ability to philosophise would be to the detriment of a creativity and innovation which everybody recognises as the fundamental need of a knowledge-based society and economy.”
The launch was followed by a lecture by Dr Jennifer O’Reilly of UCC on The Book of Kells and the Illumination of Scripture.
Responding to the presentation, Church of Ireland Bishop of Meath and Kildare, Dr Richard Clarke, who is President of the Irish Council of Churches, said the lecture had “brought us all on to a new level of understanding where beauty and theology can meet.”
In an address at St Patrick’s College Maynooth to launch three volumes of proceedings of the Maynooth Patristic Symposium, the leader of the Church in Dublin referred back to his address before Communion and Liberation’s Rimini conference last August.
Dr Martin told the assembled Catholic, Church of Ireland and Presbyterian scholars, “I was somewhat surprised at the reaction to what I said – there was little that I hadn’t said on earlier occasions and I believe that what I was saying was not just fair but factually accurate. I still do so.”
Referring to the three volumes of proceedings being launched, Dr Martin said, “This evening we are in the presence of serious theological reflection – especially patristic reflection.” He praised the ecumenical dimension of the research and congratulated Professor Vincent Twomey, SVD (pictured) and his three co-editors.
In his address, the Archbishop said he was pleased that the launch was taking place in St Patrick’s College which, he said was “not just a seminary – St Patrick’s College must be a theological presence within our culture, alongside the other theological faculties that we have in Ireland.”
“We need the presence of quality, solid theological research which is not without its application to the reality of the society we live in.”
The Archbishop, who is Vice Chancellor of St Patrick’s College added, “I would hope that this evening’s launch could be looked at as a re-launch – a new beginning – a moment of renewed commitment to Irish-based theological research which can find its place in research communities and in the readings of theologians worldwide.”
He also strongly criticised the culture of political correctness which is marginalising faith in the political and even the religious spheres.
Dr Martin told the Maynooth launch that “To be against the politically correct is to put yourself definitively outside the pale.”
He warned that “When political correctness moves from the civil sphere into the religious one, and when political correctness becomes in people’s minds a norm of interpretation of doctrine – then the Church rapidly empties herself of her real mission.”
The Archbishop of Dublin also hit out at those who seek to exploit the life and legacy of Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman “as a tag for publicity reasons.”
Underlining the importance of liberal education as envisaged by Cardinal Newman, who in 1851 accepted an invitation from Cardinal Paul Cullen of Dublin to set up a Catholic University in the city which resulted in the establishment of University College Dublin, Archbishop Martin said, “I feel sometimes that those who lay claim to the inheritance of Newman and exclude reflection on faith and reason from their basic presentation, are betraying Newman.”
He added, “We have to get across to people that you can’t just use Newman as a tag for publicity reasons.”
He said a time of economic pressure “would inevitably lead to calls for greater pragmatism in education,” and that there was a real danger that the sort of liberal education espoused by Newman might be threatened.
“Liberal education belongs to all seasons including the season of recession,” Dr Martin said, as he underlined Newman’s plan for a university in Dublin in the immediate aftermath of the famine.
“Without liberal education we lose the sense of education, and the very ability to philosophise will be undermined. To lose the ability to philosophise would be to the detriment of a creativity and innovation which everybody recognises as the fundamental need of a knowledge-based society and economy.”
The launch was followed by a lecture by Dr Jennifer O’Reilly of UCC on The Book of Kells and the Illumination of Scripture.
Responding to the presentation, Church of Ireland Bishop of Meath and Kildare, Dr Richard Clarke, who is President of the Irish Council of Churches, said the lecture had “brought us all on to a new level of understanding where beauty and theology can meet.”
SIC: CIN/IE
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