Theology in the City 2024

The overarching theme of the ‘Theology in the City 2024 Edition’ is “Looking for a Home”. From September 23 to 27, 2024 five different groups will approach the theme from different angles and gradually zoom in from planet earth as our home to Canada, Montreal, and downtown as the home of thousands of people.

Coming from many different backgrounds, whether students or businesspeople, homeless people and older people, indigenous people, and tourists, they all try to make this beautiful city a temporary or permanent home for themselves and for others in many different ways.

On Monday the earth will be discussed by members of the Montreal Biblical Colloquium as God’s creation by asking ourselves, whether the Bible is still relevant for today and what we can learn from Scripture in terms of ecology and peace. How can we keep our planet free of climate catastrophes, war, conflict and forced immigration?

On Tuesday the Lonergan Group will look at his philosophy of a lifelong learning, and how this can contribute to a better awareness and orientation towards the real and the good, how one can practice this on a daily basis and apply it to the many challenges of his world.

On Wednesday members of the St. Jax and St. Andrew & St. Paul Church communities will look at the challenges the digital world poses to all of us. Especially young people, who after years of Covid forced lockdown, loneliness and anxiety about the future, when looking for a home for themselves, often seem to turn to an increasingly virtual reality.

On Thursday members of the McGill Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and the Concordia’s Multi-Faith and Spirituality Center will look at the challenges the interaction with people of different background, religious and political views poses to the daily life as a student in Montreal.

On central moments of Monday to Thurday all involved groups will contribute with a musical celebration of inclusiveness and hope and by inviting the many less fortunate, the lonely and the old and sick in this city to join a table of common meals, whereas on Friday a closing panel with conclude the week.

Dates: September 23-27, 2024

Locations: Concordia University, McGill University, MORSL, Theological Colleges, Newman Center, St. Jax, Church of St. Andrew & St. Paul