Prof Eamonn Conway and Dr Ken Fennelly will discuss ‘The Future of Denominational Education’ on Thursday, Oct 15, 2015. The talk will be chaired by Dr Martin Mansergh.
The Future of Denominational Education
Speakers: Professor Eamonn Conway and Dr Ken Fennelly
Chair: Dr Martin Mansergh
Where: The Alexander hotel, Dublin 2 (behind the Davenport hotel)
When: Thursday October 15, 2015 at 8pm
Admission: Free
Denominational education in Ireland faces numerous challenges. In an increasingly secular environment it is becoming more difficult to maintain the ethos of denominational schools in a meaningful way.
The enrolment policies of Church-run schools are attacked as ‘discriminatory’ as is their employment policy. Some people believe that public funding of denominational schools should be ended entirely.
There is a debate about the divestment of Church schools to other patron bodies. How many schools should be divested and how fast?
Can Church-run schools teach what they believe in such areas as the family and sexuality in a way that is both true to their ethos and pastorally sensitive?
These questions and the underlying issues in regard to defending and promoting Catholic Education in a secularist cultural context will be considered by Professor Eamonn Conway at our next event on October 15.
Dr Ken Fennelly will respond to Professor Conway.
Prof Conway is a priest of the Tuam diocese since 1987. He was appointed Head of Theology and Religious Studies at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick in 1999 and in 2000 he also became co-director of the Centre for Culture, Technology & Values & Values.
He is the author or editor of several books as well as publications in international journals, and has lectured widely internationally.
Dr Fennelly is Secretary to the General Synod Board of Education of the Church of Ireland and its Education Officer.
A native of Kilkenny, Dr Fennelly has extensive knowledge of the field of Protestant Education. He holds a Bachelor of Theology degree from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and an MA from NUI Maynooth. He obtained a PhD from NUI Maynooth.
The chair for the night will be Dr Martin Mansergh who was a senior adviser to three former Taoisigh. He was Fianna Fail TD for Tipperary South from 2007 to 2011. He was a Senator from 2002 to 2007.
He was Minister of State at the Department of Finance and at the Department of Arts Sport and Tourism.
Dr Mansergh was educated at The King’s School, Canterbury and Christ Church, Oxford. He is a member of the Church of Ireland.
If you are interested in coming please email [email protected]
Please note that places will be more limited than usual so it is important to book in advance.
Tea and coffee will be served afterwards.
ENDS
