Tomáš Halík: a Cambridge conference

A Czech Catholic priest, philosopher, and theologian, Tomás Halík’s widely translated work engages with important theological issues of our time:—atheism, secularity, pluralism, and the future of faith and the church. His approach to these issues has been shaped by his own personal experience.

Halík served as a clandestine priest under the Communist regime, and he was subsequently involved in the democratic renewal of his country as an advisor to Václav Havel. Today, he remains an important figure in Czech public life as a Professor of Sociology at Charles University, alongside his fruitful ministry to “seekers” at the Academic Parish of Prague.

Tomáš Halík: a Cambridge conference offers an opportunity to acknowledge, engage with, and celebrate his ongoing life and work, with keynote lectures, panel discussion, and short papers.

Tomáš Halík’s significance for interfaith relations

Winner of the Templeton prize, the Andrew Elias Human Tolerance Award, and the medal for outstanding services to inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue (Islamic society Mosaika-Platform, Prague), Halík was given the Honorary title “Man of Reconciliation 2010” for outstanding services to dialogue between Christians and Jews (The Polish Council of Christians and Jews, Warsaw). He hosted a television show interviewing leaders of various faiths, and faced significant governmental and ecclesial backlash for proactively welcoming the Dalai Lama to his parish in Prague.

By gathering to discuss his life and work, with a host of distinguished keynote speakers, this conference foregrounds the importance of inter-religious inquiry as a scholarly and pastoral endeavour. The organisers hope it will provide much inspiration to those already pursuing this task, and those yet involved.

Organisers

This event is organised by Faculty of Divinity PhD candidates Aden Cotterill, Abraham Wu, and Isabel Jahnke, with the support of Professor David Fergusson. 

The event is made possible by the generous support of the Sekyra Foundation.

Practicalities

This event will be held at the Old Divinity School, opposite the main entrance to St John’s College. 

A detailed programme is now available to download as a PDF. 

An overview is provided below.

Registration has now closed.

Schedule

Day 1 (Thursday 12 December)

09:30 | Introduction and welcome

10:00 | Tomáš Halík
(The Academic Parish of Prague, Charles University)
Religion and transformation

11:45 | Karen Kilby (Durham)
Paradox and slippage: on kenosis, wounds and the Church’s self-understanding

14:00 | Short papers

16:30 | Charles Taylor (McGill; via livestream)
Tomáš Halík: a beacon for seekers

Day 2 (Friday 13 December)

09:30 | Alister McGrath (Oxford)
Tomáš Halík and apologetics:
reflections on the challenges facing the churches in a post-Christian age

11:15 | Rowan Williams (Cambridge)
“Little Faith”: defining faith in conversation with Tomáš Halík

13:30 | Panel chaired by Arabella Milbank Robinson (Cambridge) with Grace Davie, Martin Koci (KU Linz), George van Kooten (Cambridge) & Adéla Muchová (KU Linz)

15:00 | Concluding remarks