Catholic Theological College

Coordinates: 37°48′33″S 144°58′50″E / 37.809110°S 144.980550°E / -37.809110; 144.980550
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Catholic Theological College
MottoTolle lege
("Take up and read")
Established1972
Religious affiliation
Roman Catholic
Academic affiliation
University of Divinity
MasterKevin Lenehan
Location, ,
Websitectc.edu.au

Catholic Theological College (CTC) is one of the constituent theological colleges of the University of Divinity, an Australian collegiate university of specialisation in divinity. The college is located in East Melbourne, Victoria.

History[edit]

Catholic Theological College was established in 1972 when a group of dioceses and religious institutes agreed to act together as a confederated body in academic matters. In 1973 the college became a Recognised Teaching Institution of the Melbourne College of Divinity (now the University of Divinity) and thereby authorised to teach the Bachelor of Theology.[1]

Cardinal James Knox (1914-1983) was the driving force behind the establishment of a central Catholic college in Melbourne, rather than maintaining separate seminaries for diocesan priests and religious institutes. The successful outcome provided enhanced theological education for seminarians and lay students, with degrees awarded through the Melbourne College of Divinity. Knox's initiatives required major building works, with existing seminaries eventually replaced with a new complex in Clayton. This site was selected for its close proximity to Monash University, and provided diocesan students with the opportunity to gain a university degree in the course of their studies.[2]

The new site opened in 1973 with Catholic Theological College co-located with the new Corpus Christi College seminary. CTC had its own head of college, known as the master, and was attended by students from Corpus Christi College and other seminaries, religious sisters and brothers, as well as lay people.[1] In CTC's first year, invitations were sent out to the superiors of religious institutes, inviting them to send students to study theology. The religious sisters in particular readily accepted this invitation and over the years have been among the college's major supporters.[1]

Although Knox's vision for a single Catholic college in which all seminaries were involved was only partially fulfilled, his innovations were a great improvement on previous fragmentation.[1] Since 1978, the college has held an annual Knox Public Lecture, acknowledging Cardinal Knox's original vision for its foundation. Notable presenters of the Knox Public Lecture include: Archbishop Stylianos of Australia in 1989, Alan Jones in 1992, Davis McCaughey in 1993, Keith Rayner in 1995, Michael Tate in 1997 and Margaret Manion in 2001.[3] The main classroom at CTC is also named in Knox's honour.[1]

In 2000, Catholic Theological College's new building in East Melbourne was officially opened.[1] The new Thomas Carr Centre, which incorporated administration, faculty offices and the Mannix Library, adjoined a 1870s neo-Gothic building that was formerly the Christian Brothers' Cathedral College. Melbourne-based architect Gregory Burgess created the design that brought the two buildings together. Gregory Burgess Architects received several awards for the construction of the Catholic Theological College building. These included the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (VIC) Commendation: The Melbourne Prize in 2000 and the Australian Property Institute, Heritage Property Award in 2001.[4][5]

Masters of the college[edit]

  • Austin Cooper OMI AM - 1972–1976, 1992–1994, 1998-2002[1] Cooper was made a Member of the Order of Australia on 26 January 2004 for service to education and scholarship, particularly through the Melbourne College of Divinity, and to the community through the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Congregation.[6]
  • Gerard Diamond - 1977-1983
  • John Begley SJ - 1983-1985
  • Norman Ford SDB - 1986-1991[7]
  • Mark Coleridge - 1995-1997[8]
  • Terence Curtin - 2003-2010
  • Shane Mackinlay - 2011-2019[9]
  • Kevin Lenehan - 2019-current[10]

The following Masters of CTC also served as presidents of the Melbourne College of Divinity.[11]

  • Austin Cooper OMI AM - 1976-1977
  • Norman Ford SDB - 1991-1992
  • Terence Curtin - 2010-2011

Austin Cooper OMI AM and Norman Ford SDB were also elected as fellows of the Melbourne College of Divinity in 1990 and 2001 respectively.[12]

Affiliated seminaries[edit]

Catholic Theological College is a federation of the following autonomous seminaries based in Melbourne:[13]

Notable alumni and faculty[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Begley, James (2007). "Corpus Christi College and Catholic Theological College 1972-2006". Jesuit Life: 25–28.
  2. ^ Waters, Ian B., "Knox, James Robert (1914–1983)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 27 September 2021
  3. ^ "Knox Public Lecture | Catholic Theological College". ctc.edu.au. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Catholic Theological College | T.C.L - Taylor Cullity Lethlean". Archello. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Awards - Gregory Burgess Architects". www.gbarch.com.au. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  6. ^ "The Reverend Doctor Austin Patrick COOPER". honours.pmc.gov.au. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  7. ^ Divinity, University of (12 December 2016). "Congratulations to Emeritus Professor Norman Ford". Vox. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  8. ^ "The Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn - About the Archdiocese". 19 January 2012. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Very Rev. A/Prof. Shane Mackinlay named Bishop of Sandhurst". Vox. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Rev Dr Kevin Lenehan appointed Master of CTC". Vox. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Presidents of the Melbourne College of Divinity 1910-2011 | University of Divinity". divinity.edu.au. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Fellows of the Melbourne College of Divinity 1982-2011 | University of Divinity". divinity.edu.au. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Catholic Theological College - Affiliated Seminaries". ctc.edu.au. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Bid to heal pain". The Catholic Leader. 5 July 2003. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  15. ^ Strong, David, "Daniel, William Joseph (Bill) (1930–1994)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 27 September 2021
  16. ^ "Professor Clare Johnson - ACU". www.acu.edu.au. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  17. ^ "Clare Johnson, Author at PrayTellBlog". PrayTellBlog. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  18. ^ "Frances Baker | Staff directory". staff.divinity.edu.au. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  19. ^ "50 years of religious profession, The Deputy Master, Dr Frances Baker RSM" (PDF). Tolle Lege. April 2018.
  20. ^ "Staff". Corpus Christi College. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  21. ^ "Francis Moloney | Staff directory". staff.divinity.edu.au. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  22. ^ Campbell, Antony F., "Scullion, John James (1925–1990)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 27 September 2021
  23. ^ "Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry - Research staff". www.acu.edu.au. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  24. ^ "Pope Francis appoints CTC lecturer as auxiliary bishop". Vox. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.

External links[edit]

37°48′33″S 144°58′50″E / 37.809110°S 144.980550°E / -37.809110; 144.980550