News
Latest Braemor Series publication looks at the ‘Occupy’ movement
In Occupy Faith: The Movement of Movements and its Implications for Christian Practice, Rob looks at the Occupy Movement which gained much attention as a result of its protest and subsequent eviction from its camp at Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London.
Occupy became a broad social movement known as the “movement of movements.” Rob, looks at the relationship between social movements such as Occupy and the Church, and goes on to look at on the relationship between the Church and the ethical concerns raised was the subject of debate.
Using the tools of practical theology, Mr Clements explores both the movement’s critique of systems of domination and its methods of resistance, with specific relation to Christian practice. He investigates theological and biblical resources on just economic relations, direct action and performance, and participative democracy.
The new publication was launched in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute by the journalist and activist, Symon Hill, who is associate director of the Christian think tank, Ekklesia.
Launching the new publication, Symon Hill spoke of his experiences in meeting the Occupy protesters and praying with them at Saint Paul’s. He said that the debate started by the movement triggered an exploration of how the Gospel relates to activism. He noted the suggestion in the dissertation that the social movement could learn a lot from the Church but that the movement also had implications for the Church in terms of how to live the Gospel.
Mr Clements said that matters of how faith engages with the world in which we live are a topic we do not talk about enough. He thanked all who contributed to the publication.
The Braemor Studies Series features a selection of MTh dissertations by students at CITI. The titles are published by Church of Ireland Publishing and edited by the Church of Ireland Publications Officer, Dr Susan Hood.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Hood pointed out that this was the first of the Braemor Studies Series to deal with social justice and hoped that the Church would respond and that the work be read beyond the Church of Ireland.
The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, said the publication brought its readers into the dynamic area of social action and compassionate theology.
The book launch was also attended by the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd John McDowell, the Dean of Clogher, the Very Revd Kenny Hall, the Revd Paddy McGlinchey, who worked with Rob Clements on his dissertation, and staff and students from the Church of Ireland Theological Institute.
Copies of the Braemor Studies Series are available from the Church of Ireland Theological Institute (admin@theologicalinstitute.ie) or from the Church of Ireland Publications Officer (susan.hood@rcbdub.org).