International Theological Summer School - Report

 

 

 

Mid-way through the course, a reflection day led by theologian, Elizabeth Templeton, allowed for more studied theological and intercultural exchange between the participants and people from local churches.  That evening three Scottish Church Leaders formed a panel to address the Summer School theme: Rt Rev John Christie, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Bishop David Chillingworth, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, and Archbishop Mario Conti of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow.

 

The Moderator referred to the recent centenary celebration of the 1910 Edinburgh Ecumenical Missionary Conference, and “the most important thing: the voice of faith, in the love of Christ, offering hope”.  “You are blessed,” he said, “when you can teach people how to cooperate, not compete”.  Bishop David, recalling his experience as a priest in Northern Ireland confronting sectarianism and a negative mix of religion and politics, called for “absolute consistency in the search for truth, while remaining open to people”.  We must seek “what it means to be human”, he said, and work in the ecumenical movement for “a post-colonial church”.  Archbishop Mario spoke about the Knights of Malta, to which congregation he is Chaplain.  Their motto, “Defence of Truth — Service of the Poor”, remains a challenge for us all in a world that is increasingly “post-Christian”.  “Resignation and fatalism,” he said, “are heresies in the light of the Gospel.”

 

On one memorable afternoon, the Summer School went to Ruchazie – not your usual tourist destination – to meet with Catholic priest, Fr. Joseph Sullivan.  His talk, “The Coby Ziggy Fleet meets Heterodox Augustinianism” was a moving account of twelve years of ministry in a deprived Glasgow scheme, much of which has now been demolished.  His stories were the voice of a man of faith and wry humour, risking himself at every turn, seeking to build confidence in the boys of the Cobby Ziggy Fleet, with a message against the odds “they are not rubbish.”  Catholic theology offers the street gangs of Ruchazie the person of Fr Joe.

 

Rev Kathy Galloway, Head of Christian Aid in Scotland with a challenge to the Summer School students about poverty and deprivation at world level, what she called “the greatest economic scandal since slavery”.  Christian Aid’s Trace the Tax Campaign seeks to disclose the vast extent of tax evasion practiced by international companies and multi-nationals with bases in different countries.  “Only the little people pay taxes.” (Trump).  “Like slavery,” she said, “tax dodging has been legitimised.”  One of the examples Kathy used was the case of Caledonian MacBrayne which, with five subsidiary companies, based in different places, legitimately uses the Channel Islands as a tax haven to avoid paying certain taxes.  The Summer School was to embark in a few day’s time from Oban on Calmac ferries!

 

During excursions to the ruins of St Andrews cathedral and castle and Robert Owen’s early 19^th century model community and cotton mills at New Lanark, the guide was Tim Duffy of the Justice and Peace Commission.  A provocative historian and teacher, he caught the imagination of the group by challenging them to think of the mediaeval cathedral as an industry and the village of New Lanark as a church (Owen was not a Christian).  What issues echo down the centuries from those experiences in Scotland for church and society today?

 

Reports from the participants, coming to us just now, speak eloquently of how significant this Summer School has been to them – simultaneously challenging and inspiring.  The International Theological Summer School 2010 Report will be available this autumn.

 

 

 

For further information:                  Elaine Cameron                 01821 650 482
                                                         Alastair Hulbert                   0131 332 0008
                                                         Elizabeth Templeton          01796 482 232