Meetings/Conferences
New Windows for Religious Belief and Practice
The human species is in its infancy, not in maturity, as it deals with scientific understanding of its place in the universe and how it should (and must) develop.
The windows used for centuries to understand our place in the universe and to shape religious faith have been upended and can no longer be relied upon to help the human species develop.
We do not have a "full story" yet, but we do have some new windows to ponder, and hopefully help us on our way.
View the video of his presentation and the discussion that followed by clicking on the link.
Exploring Faith and Reason
Dr. Peter Vardy outlined the development of Christian doctrine in the early centuries and the later centrality of St. Thomas Aquinas in establishing the link between Philosophy and Theology.
This led on to the tension between science and faith in the modern world, including Darwin's theory of natural selection, and alternative approaches culminating in the contrasting Franciscan tradition reflected by Pope Francis.
This stimulating presentation, accompanied with Powerpoint notes and followed by participant discussion can be viewed by clicking on the button below.
The Need for a Theological Reformation
Church doctrines which are reliant on understandings of the universe that are longer believable are increasingly irrelevant. Only a reformed understanding of "God", revelation, Jesus and liturgy can bring the changes so many people are longing to see. Renown scholar and author Michael Morwood discussed how we can re-discover the teachings of Jesus by looking through a contemporary lens. View the video of his presentation and the discussion that followed by clicking on the link.
ARC Member Bishop Tim Norton meets with Members
For those of you who were unable to participate in this stimulating and informative Zoom meeting with Bishop Tim and his thoughts oh Church reform, we have a recording of the questions and discussion held on Thursday the 24th of August 2023. Click on the button below to be taken to the video of the meeting.
Conversation with Bishop Paul Bird - Bishop of Ballarat
On the 6th of July 2023 Bishop Paul generously offered to meet members via Zoom. Members of ARC and others interested in Church reform posed a number of questions to the bishop. These were presented in the spirit of Synodality.
The questions posed may be read here.
Annual General Meeting 2022
Submission to the Synod on Synodality – July 2022
Responding to the invitation of Pope Francis, an ARC group of women met and then prepared a submission to the Synod on Synodality.
They sent their document directly to Sister Nathalie Becquart, the Undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.
Their submission can be read.
Special Workshop and Annual General Meeting 2018
Previous Conferences
Since 2004, Australian Reforming Catholics has held several public face-to-face conferences on matters of faith, Church teachings, and other aspects of reform.
In more recent years, the onset of COVID-19 has restricted meetings and the convenience of video communication had enabled easier participation.
Although meeting in a large venue creates the opportunity to develop strong bonds among members, we now hope to continue to achieve this in other, more cost effective, ways.
