Benedict XVI Centre for Religion and Society

Description

The Benedict XVI Centre is an international hub for research and engagement activities in the area of religion and the social sciences (primarily economics, sociology, and political science).

It is founded upon the conviction that interdisciplinary research, in which the sciences are brought into direct engagement with theology and ethics, is central to the life of a Catholic university (cf. Pope St John Paul II, Ex Corde Ecclesiae, 46).

Accordingly, the Centre draws together existing strands of research on campus, while fostering new projects in collaboration with external partners, both individual and institutional.

Through major publications, media activity, regular events and attracting research students, members seek to make a major contribution to academic, ecclesial, and public debates concerning the place of religion (and nonreligion) within contemporary societies.

The University approved the creation of the Centre in 2015, the fifth anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's historic visit to St Mary's.

The Pope Emeritus has for many years been a leading contributor to both public and academic debates surrounding the topic 'religion and society', not least with his famous 2004 dialogue with Jürgen Habermas, and his 2010 address in Westminster Hall.

In early 2016, the Centre was honoured to receive confirmation via the Papal Nuncio, HE Archbishop Mennini, that the Holy See's Secretariat of State had approved the naming of the Centre in honour of the Pope Emeritus.

Offers funding

No, this infrastructure does not provide funding.

Founding year

2015

Contact details

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University affiliation(s)

St Mary's University, Twickenham
Twickenham