Cambridge: Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology celebrates Silver Jubilee

Last Saturday (13 October) the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology in Cambridge (member of the Cambridge Theological Federation) celebrated its Silver Jubilee. There was a Holy Mass at Selwyn College, University of Cambridge, followed by lunch in the beautiful gardens of the Institute.

Many of the alumnae, students, current and past Directors, members of the Council, volunteers and friends took part in the celebrations.

Members of the Divinity Faculty and other Faculties of Cambridge University as well as representatives of the Cambridge Theological Federation were also present.

The Institute's first principal, Sr Bridget Tighe FMDM (now Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem), spoke of the foundational aims of the Institute which included the theological education and formation of lay Catholics, especially women, for Christian discipleship and ministry.

The Institute was intended to be a prophetic foundation, firmly rooted in the inspiration of the Second Vatican Council, who saw the theological education of the laity as indispensable to the Church's mission in the modern world. The newly founded body received a special blessing from the late Cardinal Basil Hume OSB who later became one of the Institute's patrons. Built on this solid foundation, thanks to the generosity and support of many, the Institute is flourishing.

The current principal, Dr Anna Abram, in her welcome address emphasised the uniqueness of the Institute when she asked: "Do you know of any other Catholic independent theological institute led by women, focused on women, which is part of ecumenical and interfaith theological federation and which offers degrees at all levels in theology and allied disciplines and where study, discernment, attention to personal experience, formation, professional development and prayer are of equal importance?"

She said that "at the time of ideologically driven social fragmentation, fuelled by the culture of misinformation, disinformation, fake news, technological advances, environmental and other upheavals, religious hostility and fundamentalism, tensions within ourselves, within our society and its institutions including ecclesial ones, we need places like Margaret Beaufort that offer reflection on what matters most; places committed to building bridges, fostering transformations and healing. We need places where Truth, Good News or at least some recognisable truths are discovered, explored, understood, loved and practiced."

The Institute has been very busy during the Silver Jubilee Year. It held inter-disciplinary symposia on 'pastoral discernment' and 'theology and spirituality of ageing', public talks on 'Human Nature' and a series of talks on 'Women Who Changed the Church' (there are still six more talks to take place this term. See: ICN 19 September 2018 - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/35655

The Institute hosted art exhibitions, concerts and retreats. A new set of MAs (Contemporary Ethics; Contemporary Faith and Belief; Spirituality; Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy) has been introduced and several intensive courses such as 'Global Ethics' and 'The Second Vatican Council' have taken place.

One new course on 'Religion, Spirituality and Ethics in the Prison Service' is to be offered on 7,14, 21 November.

This month the Institute has offered home to the Religious Life Institute, directed by Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ. Seven new research fellows and associates have been appointed.

For more information about the Institute and its forthcoming events, courses and degrees see: www.margaretbeaufort.cam.ac.uk