Who we are
The aim of the European Society for Catholic Theology is to promote the academic discipline of Catholic theology primarily at the intersection where Church and society meet. As a systematic reflection on ‘faith seeking understanding’, Catholic theology engages in interdisciplinary research and education which is loyal and yet constructively critical vis-à-vis the Church, while at the same time meeting the highest academic standards of the academy. The Society offers itself as a service both to the Church and to society across Europe by supporting its members, both lay and cleric, in engaging with the many questions which challenge Christian faith as well as contemporary European culture. The organization aims to encourage the communication, promotion and support of theological education, research, and services. ESCT publishes a bi-annual journal in which the diverse problems that challenge contemporary theological debate in Europe are explored and discussed. Every two years, the society also organizes an international congress.
Presidium
Prof. Dr. Fáinche Ryan
Prof. Dr. Dr. Jean Ehret
Prof. Dr. Michael Quisinsky
Prof. Dr. Nenad Polgar
Melanie Spranger
Prof. Dr. Dominik Opatrný
Prof. Dr. João Manuel Duque
Young Curatorium
Caitríona Cunningham
PhD Student at Dublin City University (DCU), Ireland
Gabriel Ewodo Evina Messomo
PhD Student at the Pontifical Lateran University Rome, Italy
Emmett O’Regan
Loyola Institute, Trinity College Dublin
Severin Parzinger
Dr. phil., Institute for Catholic Theology University of Osnabrück, Germany
Bram Schreurs
Doctoral researcher (FWO) at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies KU Leuven, Belgium
Bartłomiej Warowny
PhD Student at the Faculty of Theology Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, GermanyFormer Presidents
Peter Hünermann
Tübingen, Germany
President of ESCT (1989–1995)
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c.
Professor of Catholic Dogmatics
University of Tübingen
Founder and Honorary President of ESCT
Hans van der Ven
Nijmegen, Netherlands
President of ESCT (1995–1998)
Prof. Dr.
Radboud University Nijmegen
Gerhard Larcher
Graz, Austria
President of ESCT (1998–2001)
Prof. Dr.
University of Graz
Leo Karrer
Fribourg, Switzerland
President of ESCT (2001–2004)
Prof. Dr.
University of Fribourg
Lieven Boeve
Leuven, Belgium
President of ESCT (2005–2009)
Full Professor of Fundamental Theology
KU Leuven
Eamonn Conway
Limerick, Ireland
President of ESCT (2009–2011)
Prof. Dr.
Mary Immaculate College
Sigrid Müller
Vienna, Austria
President of ESCT (2011–2013)
Univ.-Prof. Dr.
University of Vienna
Martin Lintner
Brixen, South Tyrol
President of ESCT (2013–2015)
Prof.
Moraltheologie und Spirituelle Theologie, PTH Brixen
Dekan der PTH Brixen
Pierre Van Hecke
Leuven, Belgium
President of ESCT (2015–2017)
Prof. Dr.
KU Leuven
Marie-Jo Thiel
Strasbourg, France
President of ESCT (2017–2019)
Prof. Dr.
University of Strasbourg
Miloš Lichner
Trnava, Slovakia
President of ESCT (2019–2021)
prof. ThLic., D.Th.
Rector of Trnava University in Trnava
Margit Eckholt
Osnabrück, Germany
President of ESCT (2021–2023)
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c.
Dogmatik und Fundamentaltheologie
Universität Osnabrück
Gusztáv Kovács
Pécs, Hungary
President of ESCT (2023–2025)
Prof. Dr.
Rector of the Episcopal Theological College of Pécs
Head of the Department of Human Dignity and Social Justice
Congresses
2025 Dublin, Ireland
Ad Theologiam Promovendam: A teológia feladatai napjainkban Európában Vice-president: Fáinche Ryan WEB
2023 Pécs, Hungary
EUROPE: Spiritual Resources for the Future Vice-president: Gusztáv Kovács WEB
2021 Osnabrück, Germany
Creation – Transformation – Theology (August 28th – 31st, 2019) Vice-president: Margit Eckholt WEB
2019 Bratislava, Slovakia
Hope. Where does our Hope lie? (August 28th – 31st, 2019) Vice-president: Milos Lichner SJ
2017 Strasbourg, France
Philadelphia: The Challenge of Fraternity. Le défi de la fraternité (August 30-September 2, 2017) Vice-president: Marie Jo-Thiel
2015 Leuven, Belgium
The Soul of Theology: on the Role of Holy Scripture in Theology (September 17th–20th, 2015) Vice-president: Pierre Van Hecke
2013 Brixen, South Tyrol
Gott in Frage: Religiöse Sprache und säkulare Sprachen (August 29th -September 1st, 2013) Vice-president: Martin Lintner
2011 Vienna, Austria
Grenzen der Leiblichkeit (August 25th-28th, 2011) Vice-president: Sigrid Müller WEB
2009 Limerick, Ireland
Eager Longing of Creation: Interdisciplinary Theological Perspectives on Ecology and Economy Vice-president: Eamonn Conway
2007 Leuven
2004 Fribourg and Geneva
2001 Graz and Maribor
1998 Nijmegen
1995 Freising
1992 Stuttgart
Gallery
Dublin Congress (2024)
