19.11.2014
New Title in the Braemor Studies Series Looks at Social Justice
The fourth title in the Braemor Studies Series was launched last night (Tuesday November 18) in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. Occupy Faith: The Movement of Movements and its Implications for Christian Practice by the Revd Rob Clements was launched by UK journalist and activist, Symon Hill.
The Braemor Studies Series features a selection of dissertations by Masters (MTh) students of CITI. The titles are published by Church of Ireland Publishing and edited by Church of Ireland Publications Officer, Susan Hood.
Occupy Faith: The Movement of Movements and its Implications for Christian Practice looks at the Occupy Movement which gained much attention as a result of its protest and subsequent eviction from its camp at St Paul’s Cathedral, London.
Occupy became a broad social movement which was known as the ‘movement of movements’ and the relationship between social movements such as Occupy and the Church; and by extension 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. Theological and biblical resources are investigated in regard to just economic relations, direct action and performance, and participative democracy.
Launching the volume, Symon Hill, who is associate director of the Christian think tank, Ekklesia, spoke of his experiences in meeting and praying with Occupy protesters at St Paul’s. He said that the debate started by the movement triggered exploration of how the Gospel relates to activism. He noted the thesis’s suggestion 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 matter of how faith engages with the world in which we live is a topic we do not talk about enough. He thanked all who contributed to the publication.
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 Revd Rob Clements is currently a Curate in Enniskillen. He served his Intern year in the Parish of Rathfarnham in Dublin.
Copies of the Braemor Studies Series may be had from the Church of Ireland Theological
Institute (admin@theologicalinstitute.ie) or from the Church of Ireland Publications Officer (susan.hood@rcbdub.org).
Photo caption: The Very Revd Kenny Hall, Dean of Clogher; the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin; the Revd Rob Clements, author; Symon Hill, who launched the booklet; the Revd Paddy McGlinchey, Lecturer in Missiology at CITI, the Right Revd John McDowell, Bishop of Clogher; and Dr Susan Hood, Church of Ireland Publications Officer.