We extend a cordial invitation to you for our special book launch event with the renowned Australian theologian, Professor Tracey Rowland. Professor Rowland is currently the John Paul II Research Professor at the University of Notre Dame Australia and a member of the Pontifical Academy for the Social Sciences. She is a former member of…
It may have struck people as unduly militant, but our first in-person event for the Thomas More Centre in Melbourne was a conversation with Catholic priest, broadcaster, activist and scholar Fr Sam Randall on the topic, “Communities of Resistance”. The title was chosen carefully. It drew upon Fr Randall’s deep studies into the key actors…
Despite the highly secularised and anti-theistic forces dominating the modern era, one of the most instantly and globally recognised women of our times is Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Since her canonisation in 2016, Mother Teresa’s universal feast day has been celebrated on September 5 each year. There is a sense of “planting seeds” for the…
So often in our discussions about the Thomas More Centre and our exploration of contemporary ways to refresh it for the future, we bump into memories of events and inspirational figures from the past. Some of these figures are vividly alive through their words and example, while others serve as friends and teachers whose wisdom…
One of the strengths of an extended Catholic family is the great richness of surprise, learning and conversation it affords, even at odd hours of the day or night. When I was in my early 20s, I recall a very memorable and spontaneous encounter with my priest uncle, Fr Paul Joseph Duffy SJ (1947-2018). I…
In his insightful and now classic book about St Thomas Aquinas, G.K. Chesterton reflects on the cultural and religious importance of saints at certain points or epochs of history. Chesterton calls these heroes of holiness powerful “antidotes” against the moral, intellectual and spiritual diseases of their times. He writes: “Indeed that is why the saint is…
Anna is taking a break from the newsletter this week, so we’re sending through a simple bulletin letting you know what we’re up to. Concerning our recent activities, the first thing to note is that we’ve posted four videos to our YouTube channel. These include Mark’s interviews with Dr Brian Coman and Keith Wheeler, as well as two talks…
The Olympic Games in Paris are teaching us many things. One thing is clear: that the moral, historical and artistic language and symbolism of Europe’s secular elite are clearly incoherent and bankrupt. The notorious “drag supper” tableau on the river Seine has been called out by many, including Bishop Robert Barron, as a sleazy mockery…
It has been so refreshing to spend time with the fresh and nimble-minded young people at the YPAT retreat some weeks ago. It was especially delightful to have some donors and mentors from the earlier Thomas More Centre (TMC). TMC is uniquely blessed with this intergenerational continuity of interest and affection. This week we want…
1. What is Paideia? It was a great honour to be one of the speakers at an engaging colloquium entitled, “Authentic Humanism and the Crisis of Culture”. The day-long event on July 6 took place in the Italian Club in Hobart, and was hosted by Dr David Daintree and his team at The Christopher Dawson Centre…