Summary of Conference
ENCOUNTERS: DIALOGUE & THEOLOGICAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN CATHOLIC NOUVELLE THÉOLOGIE & MODERN ORTHODOXY
The International Conference “Encounters: Dialogue & Theological Exchange Between Catholic ‘Nouvelle Théologie’ & Modern Orthodoxy” took place in Fribourg, Switzerland, between August 29 and 31, 2024. It was organized by the University of Fribourg (Switzerland), University of Berne (Switzerland), the Orthodox Christian Studies Center of Fordham University (New York, USA), Volos Academy for Theological Studies (Greece) and St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute (Paris, France) and it was hosted by the University of Fribourg.
In the Opening Session of the Conference moderated by Prof. Barbara Hallensleben of Fribourg University, there were welcoming addresses by Prof. Hansjörg Schmid (Vice-Rector of the University of Fribourg; Director of the Swiss Centre for Islam and Society, Professor of Christian and Interreligious Social Ethics), Dr. Regula M. Zwahlen (Sergii Bulgakov Research Centre, University of Fribourg), Dr. Jack Pappas (Orthodox Christian Studies Center, Fordham University, New York), Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis (Volos Academy for Theological Studies) and Prof. Georgiana Huian (Institute of Old Catholic Theology, University of Berne and St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute).
The Conference was divided into eight sessions, namely Introduction, Ressourcement, Intellectual Parallels, Conversions, Deification, Call for Action, Cosmology and Personhood. Speakers included Pantelis Kalaitzidis, Peter de May, Stavros Yangazoglou, Anne Carpenter, Paul Ladouceur, Aristotle Papanikolaou, Brandon Gallaher, Barbara Hallensleben, Ivana Noble, Andrew Louth, Mark McInroy, Georgiana Huian, Regula M. Zwahlen, Kateřina Kočandrle Bauer, Ivan Ilin, Julia Naett Vidovic, Jack Pappas, Olga Laham-Lossky, and John Behr.
In addition to his greeting message, Pantelis Kalaitzidis, Director of Volos Academy, delivered the introductory presentation “Encounters between Catholic ‘Nouvelle Théologie” & Modern Orthodoxy”. In his speech, he set the question whether there has been an essential reception of the encounter between Orthodox and Catholics through the neo-patristic synthesis and the "Nouvelle théologie" in the years that followed, bringing into attention the fact that in spite of the praises and the nice words on it, and even the official movements towards dialogue and reconciliation, very few steps have been taken in the direction of a fruitful encounter from both sides; making thus clear that the underlying differences between the two sides are deeper than expected, and that both sides are unwilling to abandon their prejudices and their established ways of thinking.
Read the complete greeting message of the Director of Volos Academy, Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis, at https://tinyurl.com/yw8aphwk The complete Conference programme is available at https://tinyurl.com/yucw6w6f The introductory presentation, along with all the texts of the Conference, will be published in the volume of the Conference proceedings, in due time.
Photo credits belong to the Sergii Bulgakov Research Centre and to Brandon Gallaher.
