The diocese of Kerry will host a talk by one of the world's major Christian authors this week.
Entitled, What is the Point of Being a Christian? the talk will be given by Fr Timothy Radcliffe, OP.
Fr Radcliffe is a friar of the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominicans. He served as Master of the Order from 1992 to 2001 and is the only member of the English Province of the Dominicans to have held the office since the Order's foundation in 1216.
After serving as Master of the Order, Fr Radcliffe gained an international reputation thanks to his analyses of contemporary society, Christian life, religious life and the situation of the Catholic Church.
Several of his books have become bestsellers including Sing a New Song, The Christian Vocation, I Call You Friends, Seven Last Words, Why Go to Church, The Drama of the Eucharist and What is the Point of Being a Christian?
Many writers have said that it is the subtlety of his thinking, together with the simplicity and depth of his language, and his strong sense of humour, which have made him a force to be reckoned with in the Catholic Church.
In 2001, after the expiration of his nine-year mandate as Master of the Dominican Order, Fr Radcliffe took a sabbatical year.
Starting in 2002, he became again a simple member of the Dominican community of Oxford and he is now one of the most highly sought after speakers as well as teaching and preaching in many countries.
In 2003, Fr Radcliffe was made an honorary Doctor of Divinity in the University of Oxford, the University's highest honorary degree.
More accolades followed for him in 2007 when he won the Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing, for his book What Is the Point of Being a Christian?
He will give a lecture on this publication in the Conference Centre in The Malton Hotel in Killarney on Wednesday January 11 at 8:00pm.