Thomas More Lectures
March 5, 2010 by Websec
Filed under Newman Society
THE THOMAS MORE LECTURES 2009-2010
‘Religion in the public square’
The Rt. Hon. Paul Murphy, MP
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 2002 – 2005
‘Catholicism and the Northern Ireland Peace Process’
Tuesday 9th March, Catholic Chaplaincy, 8.30pm
The inaugural series of Thomas More Lectures is examining the role of religion in public life and discourse. As the Western World increasingly identifies itself as ‘post-believing’, can Christianity continue to play an effective role promoting the common good in the public forum?
Paul Murphy, the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, will address the historic challenges presented by religious affiliation in the Province. He will argue that instead of seeing faith as the problem, we can find in it the building blocks to take forward peaceful and constructive dialogue.
The previous lectures in this series were given by Cardinal George Pell and Francis Campbell, British Ambassador to the Holy See. They examined the positive role which religion can play in public life. Last term’s Thomas More Debate between Bishop John Arnold and Even Harris MP illustrated the challenges presented to religious communities in the face of increasing secularism.
