Qualifications

• Doctor of Sacred Theology, Collège universitaire dominicain (1996)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Theology), Collège universitaire dominicain (1992)
• Licentiate in Sacred Theology, Catholic Institute of Sydney (1986)
• Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology, Catholic Institute of Sydney (1980)

Research Interests

• Ecclesiology, with a particular focus on Christian unity
• The sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, and their significance for the unity of the Church
• The sacrament of Confirmation

Personal

I am a priest of the Archdiocese of Sydney and was ordained in 1980, after studies at the Catholic Institute of Sydney at St Columba’s College, Springwood, and St Patrick’s College, Manly. I joined the academic staff of CIS in 1986, and was given study leave in 1988 to pursue doctoral studies at the Collège universitaire domincain in Ottawa, Canada. I returned to CIS at the end of 1992.

I was President of the Catholic Institute of Sydney from 2004 until the end of 2017. In addition to teaching course units at both undergraduate and graduate levels, I have also supervised research degree theses in systematic theology. I am the editor of the Australasian Catholic Record.

My research interests in ecumenism have seen me involved in theological dialogue. I am a member of the Methodist–Roman Catholic International Commission. I am the Catholic co-chair of the Australian Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue. In addition, I also chair the Faith and Unity Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia.

Select Publications

• “Theological Reflections on the First Assembly of the Plenary Council.” Australasian Catholic Record 99 (2022): 131-45. (With Richard Lennan, Ormond Rush and James McEvoy).
• “The Sacraments: Signs of Salvation.” In Theology and the People of God: So We Pray, So We Believe, So We Live, edited by Anthony M. Maher, 287–306. Strathfield, NSW: St Pauls Publications, 2021.
• “Ecclesiology and Ecumenism at the Beginning of the Third Millenium.” In Ecclesiology at the Beginning of the Third Millennium, edited by Kevin Wagner, M. Isabell Naumann and Peter John McGregor, 150-66. Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2020.
• “The Anniversary of the Reformation as a Moment for Ecclesial Learning.” In Leaning into the Spirit: Ecumenical Perspectives on Discernment and Decision-Making in the Church, ed. by Virginia Miller, The Most Rev’d Sir David Moxon and The Rt Rev’d Stephen Pickard, 139–46. Cham, CH: Palgrave Macmillan, 2019.
• “The Action of God in the World and in the Life of the Believer: The Trinity and the Sacraments.” Phromena 33, no. 2 (2018): 21–39.
• “The Commemoration of the Reformation and the Path Towards Unity.” Australasian Catholic Record 94, no. 4 (2017): 457–65.
• “The Justice and Mercy of God.” Australasian Catholic Record 93, no. 2 (2016): 198–208.
• “The Roman Catholic Doctrine of Papal Infallibility: A Response to Mark Powell.” Theological Studies 74, no. 1 (2013): 129–37.
• “The Reception of Vatican II’s Decree on Ecumenism.” In Vatican II: Reception and Implementation in the Australian Church, edited by Neil Ormerod et al., 226–39. Mulgrave, VIC: Garratt Publishing, 2012.
• Borg, Robert, Gerard Kelly and Brian Lucas. Celebrating with Children. 2 volumes. Sydney: E. J. Dwyer, 1990. (Revised edition. Strathfield, NSW: St Pauls, 2012.)
• “Ecclesiological Reflections on Small Congregations.” Australian Journal of Liturgy 12, no. 3 (2011): 129–39.
• “Baptism in the Roman Catholic Church.” In Baptism: Historical, Theological and Pastoral Perspectives, edited by Gordon L. Heath and James D. Dvorak, 26–52. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2011.
• “Episkope: A Recent Study of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue in Australia.” One in Christ 44, no. 2 (2010): 153–67.
• “To Keep in True Lent.” Australasian Catholic Record 86, no. 1 (2009): 33–44.
• “Lutheran-Roman Catholic Agreement on Justification: Suggestions for Talking about God Today.” Pacifica 17, no. 2 (2004): 184–96.
• “Baptismal Unity in the Divided Church.” Worship 75, no. 6 (2001): 511–27.
• Recognition: Advanced Ecumenical Thinking. New York: Peter Lang, 1996.0.