A major theology symposium will take place in advance of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress next month. Entitled The Ecclesiology of Communion Fifty years after the opening of Vatican II, the conference will take place the week before IEC2012 from June 6 to June 9 at Saint Patrick's College in Maynooth County Kildare.
Speaking ahead of the symposium, organiser Rev Professor Brendan Leahy said the conference would discuss a number of important theological questions.
Such questions to be discussed include, what does it mean to say that the church is a communion and how does this relate to other themes such as the Eucharist and Reconciliation; the family; the priesthood; Ecumenism; Evangelisation, and; mission and economics and Irish Christianity - has our understanding of this important idea developed since the Second Vatican Council?
According to Prof Leahy, the International Theology Symposium, which is open to all with a qualification in theology, will provide an opportunity to discuss these questions.
“The Theology Symposium will explore the vision behind the ecclesiology of communion of Vatican II and consider the questions that arise. As an international event, the symposium will be enriched by expert contributions from international scholars across the disciplines of theology, scripture, systematics, moral theology, liturgy, pastoral studies, missiology and ecumenics.”
The Papal Legate for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, Marc Cardinal Quellet, who is head of the Vatican Congregation for bishops and former Archbishop of Quebec, will give the keynote opening address on the first day.
Other speakers include Kurt Cardinal Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity who will present on the topic of, The Church as Communion, Ecumenism and the Eucharist.
Other topics include Being Educated in Communion that will be conducted by Fr Michael Drumm (Irish Schools Partnership) and Being a Priest in a de-traditionalised cultural context, which will be led by Prof Eamonn Conway from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick City.
A full list of speakers for the symposium can be viewed at