assembly 2010: Ecology, Jesus and us

pathways, November 2009 

"In taking up the theme, Commitment to ecology and the following of Jesus, we want to deepen our appreciation of how our lives and even our salvation are essentially bound up with the life and salvation of all creation," said one of the assembly organisers, Sister Majella Kelly PBVM, from Hobart (left).

"Congregations will be encouraged to share what they are already doing in this work for the 'new creation'.

"We will investigate the future role of religious in this work and we will plan concrete actions we might take in building the reign of God throughout creation."

The keynote address will be given Adelaide's Fr Denis Edwards, a senior lecturer in theology at the Flinders University School of Theology and at the Adelaide School of Divinity (right).

Fr Edwards is a theologian who has worked, written and taught in the areas of ecology, science and theology throughout his priestly life.  His insights and contributions have challenged, and been appreciated by, the Church and wider community for many years.  He will deliver two addresses, speaking on Ecological conversion and faith in Jesus Christ and Eucharist and ecology.

His addresses will head an impressive array of speaker and workshop facilitators over the four-day assembly which will gather the leaders of more than 100 religious congregations from around Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Among the presenters confirmed are:  Sister Veronica Lawson RSM, from East Ballarat, a scripture scholar who will give a biblical perspective on the theme and Brother Trevor Parton CFC (left), who will present on cosmology.  Excursions which tap into Tasmania's wilderness and connections with the Antarctic may also be part of the assembly programme.

Another significant item of business will be the presentation of the findings into the survey of Religious Life in Australia.  The findings and their implications for the future of Religious life in Australia will be discussed in detail.

Elections for a new CRA Council also will be held at this assembly.

The assembly will be held at the Grand Chancellor Hotel, on Hobart's waterfront, from the morning of Tuesday, June 29, to the lunch-time of Friday, July 2, 2010.