Ambition 2009-2011

 The previous presidency, which was held for five years, initiated very important structural reforms, including in future the appointment of a Presidium for a period of two years. The current President sees as his primary task to ensure that these important reforms are followed through on and implemented fully. At the heart of these reforms is (a) the transformation of the society to a membership organization, with the development and implementation of a new IT system, and (b) the promotion of the Society in areas where it is not widely represented. 

The new system should facilitate the strengthening of existing national Sections, the development of new Sections, and individual membership where no Sections yet exist. 

In 2010, the Society held a Regional Conference in Dubrovnik, and the Presidium has already engaged in extensive preparations for the (now) biennial International Congress, to be held in 2011 in Vienna. It has also continued the initiative of an essay competition in order to encourage and support scholarship among emerging theologians and to encourage interest in the work of the Society among a new membership. 

The presidium is also launching the Society’s new journal, ET-Studies, which has attracted some of Europe’s most outstanding scholars as its advisors and contributors. 

The Presidium is continuing the practice of maintaining close relations with the Holy See, and will meet with relevant dicasteries to discuss matters of mutual concern in the advancement of Catholic theology. 

The Presidium is also working closely with the recently founded Huenermann Foundation in order to expand and secure its financial resources.

Finally, this Presidium is very anxious to revitalise and develop Sections in countries in which the Society is currently inoperative. We are considering in particular the situation in Portugal, Spain and France. Meetings are scheduled in each of these countries between Presidium members and local theologians with a view to developing the Society there.

Eamonn Conway, President