Well-known Catholic figure and author, Monsignor James P. Shea, President of the University of Mary, North Dakota, will deliver a keynote address at Leeds Trinity University’s Trinity Conference 2024 Reawakening the Catholic Vision.

<data-contrast="auto">Inspired by the book, From Christendom to Apostolic Mission co-edited by Monsignor Shea, the conference will explore Western post-Christendom society and its implications on the Church’s mission today.

Discussions will be centred around how the Catholic Church can understand and respond to “an increasingly disaffiliated and disengaged generation”, how to ensure there’s a future for Catholic parishes, schools and homes, and how the Church can realistically be an authentic voice of justice in a world that has drifted from its Christian heritage. The conference consists of seven sessions where figureheads from the Catholic community will share their knowledge and expertise.

Monsignor Shea studied at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., the Vatican’s North American College, the University of Chicago and Harvard and was inaugurated as the sixth President of the University of Mary in 2009. He is passionate about the Church’s ability to respond to the challenges of the contemporary age, and his keynote address will delve into the reality the Church finds itself in an era where society is no longer shaped by Christianity.

Dr Ann Marie Mealey, whose role of Director of Catholic Mission at Leeds Trinity sees her steer the strategic direction of the University’s Catholic identity, will also deliver a talk on Catholic social teaching.

Other guest speakers at this year’s Trinity Conference include Archbishop Mark O’Toole, Chair of the Department for Evangelisation and Discipleship of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and Claire Fernandes, Children and Family Lead at CELEBRATE Trust, who run Catholic Charismatic, faith-filled, fun events for all ages. They will be joined by Dr Hannah Vaughan-Spruce, UK Executive Director of Divine Renovation, an organisation providing coaching and tools to help Parishes with their mission; Chris Martin, an inspector for the Catholic Schools Inspectorate; and Dr Gregory Stacey, Teaching Fellow in Theology at the University of Leeds.

Hannah Hayward, Coordinating Lay Chaplain at Leeds Trinity University, said: “The Trinity Conference, Reawakening the Catholic Vision, marks a significant moment for the Church in the UK. It will challenge us to completely reframe how we think about the Church’s mission in our Western post-Christendom culture.

“Old methods are not producing the same results as in previous generations. The Trinity Conference aims to help Catholics understand the secular, non-Christian culture we inhabit, and through quality input, dialogue and prayer, we will reflect on how we can best respond to Christ’s timeless call to ‘make disciples of all the nations’.”

Professor Charles Egbu, Vice-Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University, said: “I am pleased to see that such an exciting programme has been curated for the Trinity Conference 2024, and I offer my thanks to those who have worked hard to organise this event.

“Leeds Trinity University is guided by its Catholic identity and faith foundation, so it is important that we stay informed of current context and changes to the landscape. The Trinity Conference offers an opportunity for important discussions to be held, and I look forward to being a part of them next month.”

For more information and to book tickets for the Trinity Conference, visit Leeds Trinity University’s online store.