CU’s Tomáš Halík delivers first of Duffy Lectures ****************************************************************************************** * CU’s Tomáš Halík delivers first of Duffy Lectures in Global Christianity at Boston Colle ****************************************************************************************** Well-known Czech priest and professor at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University Tomáš H delivering this year’s Duffy Lectures in Global Christianity, at the invitation of the Ame research university Boston College [ URL "https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/mcas/departmen about/duffy-lectures.html"] . Each year the honour goes to a theologian from a different c –a recipient of numerous awards including the Templeton Prize – discussed the opportunity engagement. How would you describe the lectures in terms of importance? The Duffy Chair in Global Christianity was founded with the aim of providing a broader for thought and different voices and experience from different cultural backgrounds. I see it to represent (and also critically reflect upon) not only Czech but the European spiritual The aim put forth by the college is to summarise not only research in the chosen region bu perspectives and to ask new questions. I see it as a difficult but most welcome challenge. Do you know why Boston College went with a European theologian this year? That is a question for university officials but I expect one of the things that is interes is to hear from someone from what has been called one of the “most atheistic countries on communists in the former Czechoslovakia banned academic theological practice for decades a religion to the periphery. They contributed greatly to religious illiteracy in broader soc when I hear top experts in the natural sciences discussing religion I am not sure whether too often their views are na?ve and lack a solid understanding or personal experience. At the same time, I think reporting on an area where belief is not as commonplace is much and even inspiring because it forces proponents to cultivate and better formulate their vi continuous dialogue, taking into account doubt, scepticism and atheism. It may well be tha because in my published work I try to promote this dialogue between belief and non-belief. many atheists who have honest or fair subjective reasons for non-belief; what I cannot res in this field especially when combined with intolerance and aggression similar to that dis religious fundamentalists. Your lectures are going to focus on some of the most prominent theological questions being Europe: what would you say are some of the most “stubborn”? Well, Europe’s cultural and political history since the Enlightenment has been framed by c religion and secular humanism. Both took root in the ruins of Medieval “Christianitas” the Rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity grew from the rubble of the Temple in Jerusalem an Israelite religion. The horrors and tragedies of the 20th century shook traditional religions to the core but humanism and the belief in progress were hit hard. It is time for what my teacher the phil Patočka termed the “solidarity of the shaken”. The belief in secular humanism by its best underwent change and matured and reached a higher level. Philosopher Richard Kearney, who Boston College, coined the term “anatheism”, which means not returning to pre-modern theis atheism. That is why I a talk about a post-religious and post-secular period – not only in but also existential sense. If secularisation is not the end of the history of religion but a call to transformation, think religion will play in peoples’ lives in the future? Secularisation never replaced religion in society or chased it out, although religion was significantly, namely in two opposite poles: on one end, as a political instrument represe identity (where we namely find fundamentalist forms of religion) and on the other, spiritu often goes beyond the borders of religion and religious institutions. It is necessary to c sides and to counter political ideologisation and the instrumentalisation of religion with that is accessible to the broader public and can play a critical or prognostic role and ex of absolutism or blind adherence to relative values of party and country and to those who power. Also, the interest in spirituality is not something that should be commercialised like the trend (for ex. psychological “wellness”), but connected to a deeper sense of meaning, not difficult situations or crises. That is one reason, why I greatly admire local pastors who hospitals, prisons, in the army and at university and serve not only believers. They help walks of life find reason and meaning in their lives. Do you think the Catholic Church will reform and more greatly-reflect societal changes or stance on celibacy or same-sex marriage? The Catholic Church led by Pope Francis has continued to build on the reforms outlined in Ecumenical Council of the Vatican and is looking at issues such as the environment, family between cultures, social responsibility, solidarity with social marginalised people and so sometimes there is resistance within certain circles. Of utmost importance was the elimination sexual abuse by some members of the clergy. The P clericalism as an instrument of wielding power head-on while supporters of clericalism ten the problem of abuse or ignore it. I am trying to build on the Pope’s view of the Church a hospital”. It is important for theology diagnostic capabilities to inspire theological hermeneutical societal changes. To offer preventive care (with the Church, universities and the free pre a kind of “immune system” against the infection of populism, nationalism or racism. To off rehab (providing comfort and healing), to lead people to search for peaceful solutions and forgive. Rather than missions, there needs to be a dialogue and mutual respect and a willingness to other. Celibacy and LGBT are important issues but I think secondary questions. The usefuln celibacy today is a matter for debate. The Latin Church may yet follow the Eastern Catholi ordination of married men. As for marriage, the bond between and a man and a woman will always be sacred for the cath the Church is looking for greater understanding for same-sex couples. ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ Professor░Tomáš░Halík░is░a░Czech░Catholic░priest,░theologist,░Biblical░scholar,░and░sociol international░awards.░In░2018,░he░was░awarded░Charles░University’s░Gold░medal.░░░░░░░░░░░░ Translated by Jan Velinger