Theology conference cancelled due to lack of interest

A major millennium conference planned by St Patrick's College, Maynooth, has had to be cancelled due to lack of interest.

The Jubilee Conference, on the theme "A New Ireland: Built to Last?", was organised by a committee within the college's faculty of theology. It was intended to reflect on the role and relevance of Christianity in the new Ireland, looking in particular at the challenges posed by alienation and prosperity.

A spokeswoman at the college said last night that just "a couple of dozen people" had registered to attend the conference, which was to have been opened by Cardinal Danneels, Archbishop of Malines-Bruxelles (Brussels), at 7.30 p.m. tomorrow.

The cardinal was to speak on "Christianity Challenged by Prosperity and Alienation: The European Experience". On Friday speakers would have included the Bishop of Limerick, Dr Donal Murray, on "Signs of Discord, Seeds of Hope", followed by the Liberal Democrat peer, Baroness Shirley Williams, on "Signs of Alienation: The British Experience".

A discussion on the role of the church in Ireland in the 21st century, scheduled for Friday evening, was to have included among the panellists the Fine Gael TD, Mrs Nora Owen, a Presbyterian minister, the Rev Ruth Patterson, the Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, Dr Eamonn Walsh, and the former E director-general of RTE, Mr Oliver Moloney, with Mr John Horgan, Professor of Journalism at Dublin City University, in the chair.

The spokeswoman said the conference might have aroused more interest had there been a concentration on one theme. It is understood that those who registered for it have been notified of its cancellation, as have speakers.

Meanwhile Cardinal Danneels will give a private lecture to a meeting of about 230 priests from the Dublin Archdiocese at Holy Cross College, Clonliffe, at 2.30 this afternoon.