Irish School of Ecumenics
Encyclopedia
The Irish School of Ecumenics is a new discipline within an aspirant School at Trinity College Dublin, and existed as an independent entity until negotiating admission to Trinity College about a decade ago. The ISE is dedicated to the promotion of ecumenism
, religious reconciliation
and interfaith dialogue. The School is located in both Dublin (in the Republic of Ireland
) and Belfast
(in Northern Ireland
). The location of the ISE within TCD's new structure remains unresolved.
, S.J.
, who also served as the school's director until 1980. Father Hurley, a Jesuit priest, was a strong proponent of ecumenism.
Father Hurley and the establishment of the Irish School of Ecumenics were strongly opposed by the then Archbishop of Dublin
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin
, John Charles McQuaid
. Diocesan archival documents released in the 2000s revealed that Father Hurley and the school caused Archbishop McQuaid "anguish." Archbishop McQuaid, a deeply conservative Catholic, responded by banning Father Hurley from speaking within his "sphere of jurisdiction," meaning the Archbishop of Dublin. However, McQuaid reneged on the ban following the intervention by Fr Cecil McGarry, Dublin's Jesuit provincial, on Hurley's behalf.
Archbishop McQuaid died in 1973. He was succeeded by Archbishop Dermot Ryan, who remained displeased by the activities of the School of Ecumenics and Father Hurley. Father Hurley stepped down as the director in 1980 saying, "towards the end of the school’s first decade it seemed best to remove myself from the scene." The relationship between Irish School of Ecumenics'and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin slowly began to improve.
Cardinal Desmond Connell, who served as Archbishop of Dublin between 1988 and 2004, later became the first archbishop to become a formal patron
of the Irish School of Ecumenics.
Archival papers related to Archbishop John Charles McQuaid's opposition to the School of Ecumenism were uncovered by the Archdiocese of Dublin in the 2000s. In 2008, Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin issued an apology to Father Hurley for his treatment by Archbishop McQuaid during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The face-to-face apology, which was described as "good-humored" by the Irish Times, took place at the Milltown Jesuit community in South Dublin
. Archbishop Martin apologized to Hurley for the "for some misunderstandings on the part of my predecessors." Father Hurley, who called Martin's speech a "magnanimous apology," state that he flet a "great sense of relief and joy and gratitude."
Father Michael Hurley, the Irish School of Ecumenics' co-founder, died in 2011.
. The future location of the ISE on or near the campus of Trinity College Dublin is planned for the near future. It is anticipated that the Milltown Institute will join Trinity College under the new name: Loyola Institute. The Irish School of Ecumenics along with the new Loyola Institute, which will have six full-time staff members, will compose a centre with common interests in the study of theology
.
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
, religious reconciliation
Reconciliation
Reconciliation may variously refer to:* Bank reconciliation* Truth and reconciliation commission-Religion:* Sacrament of Penance , also known as Reconciliation...
and interfaith dialogue. The School is located in both Dublin (in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
) and Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
(in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
). The location of the ISE within TCD's new structure remains unresolved.
History
The Irish School of Ecumenics was co-founded in 1970 by Father Michael HurleyMichael Hurley (Jesuit)
Father Michael Hurley, S.J., was an Irish Jesuit priest and theologian, who has been widely called the "father of Irish ecumenism" for promoting Christian unity. Hurley co-founded the Irish School of Ecumenics in 1970 and served as the school's director until 1980.Hurley was born in Ardmore,...
, S.J.
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
, who also served as the school's director until 1980. Father Hurley, a Jesuit priest, was a strong proponent of ecumenism.
Father Hurley and the establishment of the Irish School of Ecumenics were strongly opposed by the then Archbishop of Dublin
Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic)
The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the Archdiocese of Dublin. The Church of Ireland has a similar role, heading the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough. In both cases, the Archbishop is also Primate of Ireland...
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin
The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Dublin, , is a Roman Catholic archdiocese in eastern Ireland centred around the republic's capital city – Dublin. The see of Dublin was raised to the status of a Metropolitan Province by the Synod of Kells in 1152. Its jurisdiction includes much of the Province of...
, John Charles McQuaid
John Charles McQuaid
John Charles McQuaid, C.S.Sp. was the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland between December 1940 and February 1972.- Early life 1895-1914:...
. Diocesan archival documents released in the 2000s revealed that Father Hurley and the school caused Archbishop McQuaid "anguish." Archbishop McQuaid, a deeply conservative Catholic, responded by banning Father Hurley from speaking within his "sphere of jurisdiction," meaning the Archbishop of Dublin. However, McQuaid reneged on the ban following the intervention by Fr Cecil McGarry, Dublin's Jesuit provincial, on Hurley's behalf.
Archbishop McQuaid died in 1973. He was succeeded by Archbishop Dermot Ryan, who remained displeased by the activities of the School of Ecumenics and Father Hurley. Father Hurley stepped down as the director in 1980 saying, "towards the end of the school’s first decade it seemed best to remove myself from the scene." The relationship between Irish School of Ecumenics'and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin slowly began to improve.
Cardinal Desmond Connell, who served as Archbishop of Dublin between 1988 and 2004, later became the first archbishop to become a formal patron
Patrón
Patrón is a luxury brand of tequila produced in Mexico and sold in hand-blown, individually numbered bottles.Made entirely from Blue Agave "piñas" , Patrón comes in five varieties: Silver, Añejo, Reposado, Gran Patrón Platinum and Gran Patrón Burdeos. Patrón also sells a tequila-coffee blend known...
of the Irish School of Ecumenics.
Archival papers related to Archbishop John Charles McQuaid's opposition to the School of Ecumenism were uncovered by the Archdiocese of Dublin in the 2000s. In 2008, Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin issued an apology to Father Hurley for his treatment by Archbishop McQuaid during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The face-to-face apology, which was described as "good-humored" by the Irish Times, took place at the Milltown Jesuit community in South Dublin
South Dublin
South Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is one of three smaller counties into which County Dublin was divided in 1994. The county seat is Tallaght, the largest suburb of Dublin and the biggest urban centre in the county. Other important centres of population are Lucan and Clondalkin...
. Archbishop Martin apologized to Hurley for the "for some misunderstandings on the part of my predecessors." Father Hurley, who called Martin's speech a "magnanimous apology," state that he flet a "great sense of relief and joy and gratitude."
Father Michael Hurley, the Irish School of Ecumenics' co-founder, died in 2011.
Present
The Irish School of Ecumenics currently has eight full-time staff members. The location of the ISE is presently at Milltown Park, in facilities located at the Jesuit Milltown Institute of Theology and PhilosophyMilltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy
The Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy is an institution of higher education and research, located in Dublin, Ireland. Milltown is run by the Jesuits and is located in Milltown/Ranelagh in Dublin...
. The future location of the ISE on or near the campus of Trinity College Dublin is planned for the near future. It is anticipated that the Milltown Institute will join Trinity College under the new name: Loyola Institute. The Irish School of Ecumenics along with the new Loyola Institute, which will have six full-time staff members, will compose a centre with common interests in the study of theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
.