Anthony O’Mahony, Reader in Theology and the History of Christianity, Heythrop College, University of London, will preach this sermon on 24 May.
The Ramsden Sermon, which takes place in Great St Mary’s, the University Church, at 11.15am on 24 May, focuses on Church extension overseas, especially within the Commonwealth of Nations.
Mr O’Mahony studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and served in the Diplomatic Service for nearly ten years, and also with a UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus. His principal academic interests focus on ecumenical dialogue between the Eastern and Western churches, Christianity in the Middle East, and Christian-Muslim and Jewish-Christian relations. He has published widely on these subjects.
He is currently completing a major study on Christianity in the Middle East and an intellectual biography of Louis Massignon, the leading French Catholic religious and political thinker.
Mr O’Mahony is Expert Consultor, Eastern Christians in the Middle East for the Pro Oriente Foundation, which was established in 1964 by Cardinal Konïg to encourage relations between Eastern and Western Christians. He has served with the Committee for Other Faiths of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and with Presence and Engagement for the Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England.
All are welcome and there will be a wine reception in Michaelhouse afterwards.
Members of the University attending should wear their gowns. Doctors wear scarlet.