In Memoriam Michele Miele OP (1931-2021)

The Review "Campania Sacra", of which Michele Miele was director from 2006 to 2020, has dedicated volume 54 (2023) to the Dominican historian who died on 8 December 2021. Gerardo Imbrano: "Michele Miele: La Vita e gli scritti" sketches the life of the friar and historian on pages 7-48 (pages 15-48 contain Miele's extensive list of writings). Miele has distinguished himself through numerous studies on the history of the Dominican Order, the history of the Church in modern times and the history of councils in southern Italy. He was associated with the "Konzililiengeschichte" project through his frequent participation in conferences, the volume "Die Provinzialkonzilien Süditaliens in der Neuzeit", published in 1996 (in italian: I concili provinciali del Mezzogiorno in età moderna, 2001) , as well as essays and reviews in the journal "Annuarium Historiae Conciliorum".


Ceremony for the 70th Birthday of Johannes Grohe

Presentation of the Festschrift "Synodalis consonantia"

On 9 March 2024, in the fully occupied Aula Minor of the Pontificia Università della Santa Croce in Rome (here foto gallery 1 and fotogallery 2 and a videoclip), a commemorative publication in honour of Johannes Grohe was presented to him on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

The volume, entitled "Synodalis consonantia. Konziliengeschichte als Spiegelbild kirchlicher Diskussionskultur und Identitätsfindung", published by Aschendorff-Verlag Münster (https://www.aschendorff-buchverlag.de/detailview?no=25035), contains 40 contributions from the field of council history from the early church, the Middle Ages and modern times (⟶ table of contents). They were written by colleagues, friends and companions of the jubilarian, recognised experts in the study of the history of the councils. The commemorative publication was edited by Filippo Forlani/Rome, Ansgar Frenken/Ulm and Thomas Prügl/Vienna. The 773-page volume, which is thematically and thematically self-contained, thus represents a cross-section of current research into the history of councils, which "deliberately does not limit itself to individual epochs, regions and topics ... focuses on the synodal life of the church in its comprehensive historical realisation", according to the editors.

At the ceremony, Petar Vrankić, Vice President of the Gesellschaft für Konziliengeschichtsforschung e.V., Prof Stefan Heid, Director of the Roman Institute of the Görresgesellschaft and representatives of the Pontificia Università della Santa Croce paid tribute to the jubilarian for his multifaceted commitment in the service of conciliar history and academic life in Rome. Ansgar Frenken then spoke about Johannes Grohe's contribution to the study of late medieval council life, before Thomas Prügl presented the commemorative publication. Finally, Filippo Forlani interviewed the jubilarian and had him retrace important stages of his life and his academic career. Festive music (Mozart Divertimenti; Dvorčak, Miniature op. 75) provided a festive setting for the event. The subsequent champagne reception provided ample opportunity to discuss Johannes Grohe's human qualities and to congratulate him.


Le molte vie per Nicea. Nicea tra Oriente e Occidente. Bari, 11 aprile 2024

Conference of the Facoltà Teologica Pugliese

The anniversary of the Council of Nicea (325) offers many ways to deepen and develop the reflections of that time. The Le molte vie per Nicea initiative is trying to explore them together and promote cooperation between various state and church institutions that want to explore the topic in greater depth in view of the upcoming anniversary in 2025.

The conference of the Facoltà Teologica Pugliese will attempt to discuss the difference between Eastern and Western understanding of the Nicene symbol and the "ecumenical" efforts to bridge it.

 

Program


Nicea andata e ritorno. Traiettorie di un Concilio. Treviso, 14 ottobre 2023

Conference of the Facoltà Teologica del Triveneto

On Saturday, 14 October 2023, the annual conference of the Faculty of Theology of Triveneto for the academic year 2023/2024 took place, entitled Nicea andata e ritorno. Traiettorie di un Concilio. The conference, organised by the lecturers of the Patristics Section, was part of the efforts to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea (325-2025), the first ecumenical event in the history of Christianity from which a common creed emerged.
The lectures dealt with a number of issues related to the communication and reception of the Nicene symbol, with a particular focus on authors and areas around Aquileia.

 

Program

Streaming of the conferences


Jakob Speigl † (1933-2023)

Prof. Dr Jakob Speigl passed away on 27 November 2023 in Sinzing (Regensburg district) at the age of 90. Speigl was Professor of Ancient Church History, Patrology and Christian Archaeology at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Würzburg from 1972 to 2001. He was a member of the group of authors since the beginning of the research project on the History of Councils and took part in several conferences of the Society for History Research of Councils (here is a picture of the young professor at the symposium in Thessaloniki - front row, second from left).     
Click here for the obituary of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Würzburg. R.I.P.


New publications on the History of the Church Councils


Conference about the decree "Inter Mirifica" of Vatican II

4 December 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the promulgation of "Inter Mirifica", the decree of the Second Vatican Council on the means of social communication. This document initiated the universal church's modern and systematic reflection on communication. The Roman Universities Pontificia Università della Santa Croce, Pontificia Università Lateranense and Università Pontificia Salesiana have organised a joint conference from 7 - 9 November to mark the occasion. Here is the programme with further details.