JANETTE GRAY RSM DINNER & LECTURE 2026

BOLDNESS, COURAGE, AND TRUTH: Reclaiming a Gift of the Spirit for our Time

Our present global age can feel like an overwhelming series of overlapping crises compounded by declining trust in institutions and disorienting post-truth” culture. Does the Christian spiritual tradition have resources that speak to this moment, that might offer an alternative to helplessness, despair, and apathy? This talk surfaces the ancient notion of parrhesia, habit of bold, courageous truth-telling both in what one says and how one lives. While early Christians embraced parrhesia as gift of the Holy  Spirit, over time it became displaced by competing values like silence and obedience. Tracing recent efforts in the Catholic Church to reclaim parrhesia, the talk turns to three theologians who have exemplified this virtue both in their published writings and in their lives: Jacques Dupuis, Elizabeth Johnson, and Ivone Gebara.  These figures offer valuable lessons in maintaining the interior freedom to speak truth boldly and courageously, remaining spiritually grounded and realistically hopeful, especially while encountering the limitations of their institutions.

Dr Mary Kate Holman is assistant professor of Religious Studies at Fairfield University in Connecticut, USA. Her award-winning book, Marie-Dominique Chenu: Catholic Theology for Changing World University of Notre Dame Press in 2025), draws on fragmented historical sources to explore the legacy of creative scholar-activist who modelled reflection on experience, incarnational engagement”, and courage to speak out. Mary Kate holds BA from Georgetown University, an MTS from Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry, and PhD from Fordham University. Before taking up her current role at Fairfield she was part of the faculty at Benedictine University in Chicago. Her research and teaching embrace interests in feminist theology, Ignatian spirituality, questions about the nature of the church and connections between spirituality and social justice.

Time and Date

6pm for 6.30pm start AEST, Friday 21 August

Delivery

Hybrid, online via Zoom or in person in the Yuma Auditorium, Pilgrim Theological College, 29 College Cres, Parkville, Melbourne

Cost

$30 Virtual | $60 Concession | $80 Waged
[Note: a limited number of discounted tickets are currently available to members of the UD Alumni network]