Ecumenical Roundtable update from Dr Ray Williamson
16 Feb 2016 - by
The Centre for Ecumenical Studies held a second Roundtable at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in early February 2016. On this occasion, the specific focus of the conversation was "Ecumenical Engagement in Theological Education".
It was attended by thirty people, who came from Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, and who are involved directly in theological education or in an ecumenical organisation.
The Roundtable began with a presentation by Professor Peter Sherlock (Vice-Chancellor, University of Divinity), in which he addressed the key issue of the day: "Ecumenical Engagement in Theological Education". He said that 'successful' engagement would require both the faculty and the classroom of a theological teaching institution being ecumenical in their composition. In Australia, ecumenically based theological schools were established in all the mainland state capital cities, but since then the changes that have taken place in higher education and in the theological schools have brought about many instances of those ecumenical initiatives being weakened or dismantled altogether.
Additional barriers to 'success' are caused by the geographical distances in this country, the comparative smallness of institutions and the decline in the mainline churches. The great barrier to ecumenical engagement, however, is that energy is going elsewhere: different teaching institutions have become more internally focused, with classes and teaching largely denominationally based. A renewal of ecumenical engagement in theological education will require an understanding of what motivates the existing colleges, it will need to be based on well-defined partnerships, and it will have to meet the needs and arouse the passions of students.
Dr John D'Arcy May, a former Director and Lecturer at the Irish School of Ecumenics (Trinity College Dublin) addressed the need for theological education to include a specific study of ecumenism. The 20th century saw ecumenism given expression in the modern ecumenical movement, but that movement needed legitimation in the face of opposition. This has been accomplished through the doing of a theology of ecumenism – drawing on scripture, church history and dogmatics – which has also brought about a convergence on many issues, such as baptism, Eucharist and ministry. Now, Christian churches everywhere participate in a public sphere characterised by multicultural and multi-religious societies, and in this situation it is essential for the practice of ecumenism to make explicit inter-relationships between inter-church, inter-faith and justice and peace-building components of ecumenism, and doing so in the light of insights from other disciples. It raises the importance of inter-faith dialogue, which has profound implications for inter-church dialogue – but there is no question of substituting the one for the other. It demands new ways of doing theology. What is needed is an ecumenical institute addressing these questions.
The story of the local ecumenical institute, the Centre for Ecumenical Studies (based at the ACC&C) was told by the Revd Dr Gerard Kelly, the President of the Catholic Institute of Sydney. He itemised the Centre's aims and objectives, specifically to provide a focal point for teaching, study and research in the diverse aspects of ecumenism, and to do so by developing a programme of education in ecumenism. The Centre has sought to do this primarily through the offering of a week-intensive course, which has been held many times in several locations in Australia and in Auckland. He acknowledged the recent difficulties in actually presenting the course, and offered some questions to prompt our thinking: about student recruitment, course content, and the role the Centre might play in reminding both the churches and the theological education sector about the importance of ecumenical formation. The study of ecumenism needs to be multi-dimensional and holistic.
Dr Robyn Wrigley-Carr, who lectures in theology at AlphaCrucis College in Sydney, told of her personal journey in theological education as an ecumenical experience. From her early Christian formation in the Churches of Christ in Sydney, she went on to study in England (London and Oxford), Canada (Vancouver) and Scotland (St Andrews). In all those places she experienced the life and liturgies of a variety of Christian churches. In her studies she was exposed to many theological thinkers. Her spirituality has been shaped and enriched by all of the great Christian traditions – Protestant, Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox – and she greatly values the way these experiences have opened new perspectives for her, deepened her own understanding and practice of faith and given her a broad grounding for her current teaching of theology. She tries to incorporate an ecumenical dimension to her teaching.
Following the Roundtable, several people stayed for a dinner, at which Dr John May spoke about the churches' presence in the public square and the importance for the Christian voice to be heard in the debates on current issues in civil society.
The prospect of an Ecumenical Roundtable 3 – possibly in late 2016 or early 2017 – was raised by Bishop Stephen Pickard for participants to contemplate.