Trinity Theological School, Melbourne
Encyclopedia
Trinity College Theological School (TCTS) is part of Trinity College
, the oldest college of the University of Melbourne
. The school was founded in 1877 by Bishop James Moorhouse
for the purpose of training a "learned and dedicated clergy
". This founding vision has been the core of the school's contribution to the church and its focus has now broadened to forms of theological education and formation including lay persons as well as ordination candidates.
The school community consists of around nine full-time and part-time staff and over 40 students in the Ministry Formation Program, many of whom are preparing for ordination. More than 60 students participate in the Theology Online program, founded and administered by Trinity but now shared with the Melbourne College of Divinity
as a whole, which reaches all over Australia and internationally. In addition there are over 30 parish groups in regional and metropolitan Australia
using the Trinity Certificate in Theology and Ministry.
The original pattern of studying theology at Trinity was based on residence in the college, with participation not only in chapel and other formational activities but full engagement in the sporting and social life of a university college. From the 1970s changes in demography of ordination candidates meant non-resident membership of the school became first possible and then normal.
Since 2002 the activities of the school have been centred on the Old Warden's Lodge ("OWL"), on the southeastern corner of the Trinity College campus. In 2009-10 OWL was renovated and extended to provide a more adequate and self-contained centre for theological education, with two lecture rooms, three tutorial and meeting rooms, common room and academic staff offices. Staff and students nonetheless have access to all the facilities of Trinity College, including the chapel, dining hall, tutorial rooms, library and grounds.
, followed by the Licentiate in Theology of the Australian College of Theology
. The teachers were often local clergy and lectures were shared with nearby Ridley College.
In 1969 Trinity became a foundation member of the ecumenical United Faculty of Theology
(UFT). This partnership with the Jesuit Theological College and Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational theological schools (later combined as the Uniting Church Theological Hall) created an ecumenical context for higher learning rare in its degree of integration, which continues to the present.
Trinity students normally undertake either the undergraduate Bachelor of Theology degree of the Melbourne College of Divinity
or the graduate Master of Divinity degree - formerly Bachelor of Divinity - of the MCD. Additional studies with a specifically pastoral or formational character have often led to the further award of the Diploma in Ministry.
Trinity students are served by the Leeper Library at Trinity and by the Mollison collection, the library of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, which is also held at the college. They also have access to the Dalton-McCaughey Library, the joint collection of the Jesuit and Uniting Church colleges, with one of the finest research theological collections in the southern hemisphere.
The Revd Maxwell Thomas - Stewart Lecturer, 1971-75.
The Revd Canon Andrew McGowan - Warden of Trinity College and Joan F. W. Munro Lecturer, who teaches in early church history and liturgy.
The Revd Dorothy Lee - Dean and Frank Woods Distinguished Lecturer in New Testament.
The Revd Canon Ray Cleary - Director of Ministry Formation and Sambell Lecturer in Public and Pastoral Theology.
The Revd Andreas Loewe - Gavan Lecturer in Theology and college chaplain.
David Gormley O'Brien - McMullin Lecturer and Registrar, who teaches patristics.
Meg Warner - Morna Sturrock Fellow, teaching Old Testament.
Trinity College (University of Melbourne)
Trinity College is the oldest college of the University of Melbourne. Founded in 1872 on a site granted to the Church of England, Trinity is unique among Australian university colleges in its diverse education programs...
, the oldest college of the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
. The school was founded in 1877 by Bishop James Moorhouse
James Moorhouse
James Moorhouse was an Anglican bishop of Melbourne and of Manchester.-Early life and career:Moorhouse was born in Sheffield, England, the only son of James Moorhouse, a book-lover and master-cutler, and his wife Jane Frances née Bowman...
for the purpose of training a "learned and dedicated clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
". This founding vision has been the core of the school's contribution to the church and its focus has now broadened to forms of theological education and formation including lay persons as well as ordination candidates.
Overview and history
Trinity is committed to shaping men and women in ordained and lay ministry in the Anglican tradition. It represents a moderate Catholic tradition of theology, worship and spirituality and seeks to embody the Anglican way in a critical, reflective and articulate style in dialogue with the contemporary world.The school community consists of around nine full-time and part-time staff and over 40 students in the Ministry Formation Program, many of whom are preparing for ordination. More than 60 students participate in the Theology Online program, founded and administered by Trinity but now shared with the Melbourne College of Divinity
Melbourne College of Divinity
The Melbourne College of Divinity is a theological education organisation located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.The MCD is an ecumenical consortium of a number of theological colleges from a number of denominations...
as a whole, which reaches all over Australia and internationally. In addition there are over 30 parish groups in regional and metropolitan Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
using the Trinity Certificate in Theology and Ministry.
The original pattern of studying theology at Trinity was based on residence in the college, with participation not only in chapel and other formational activities but full engagement in the sporting and social life of a university college. From the 1970s changes in demography of ordination candidates meant non-resident membership of the school became first possible and then normal.
Since 2002 the activities of the school have been centred on the Old Warden's Lodge ("OWL"), on the southeastern corner of the Trinity College campus. In 2009-10 OWL was renovated and extended to provide a more adequate and self-contained centre for theological education, with two lecture rooms, three tutorial and meeting rooms, common room and academic staff offices. Staff and students nonetheless have access to all the facilities of Trinity College, including the chapel, dining hall, tutorial rooms, library and grounds.
Academic program
Until the 1960s, Trinity theological students normally undertook a degree program of the University of MelbourneUniversity of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, followed by the Licentiate in Theology of the Australian College of Theology
Australian College of Theology
The Australian College of Theology is an Australian theological education provider. The college was one of the first Australian non-university providers to offer an accredited bachelor's degree and a research doctorate. Over 15,000 people have graduated since the foundation of the college,...
. The teachers were often local clergy and lectures were shared with nearby Ridley College.
In 1969 Trinity became a foundation member of the ecumenical United Faculty of Theology
United Faculty of Theology
The United Faculty of Theology is an informal association of theological colleges founded in 1969 to provide an ecumenical setting for theological education and to support research...
(UFT). This partnership with the Jesuit Theological College and Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational theological schools (later combined as the Uniting Church Theological Hall) created an ecumenical context for higher learning rare in its degree of integration, which continues to the present.
Trinity students normally undertake either the undergraduate Bachelor of Theology degree of the Melbourne College of Divinity
Melbourne College of Divinity
The Melbourne College of Divinity is a theological education organisation located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.The MCD is an ecumenical consortium of a number of theological colleges from a number of denominations...
or the graduate Master of Divinity degree - formerly Bachelor of Divinity - of the MCD. Additional studies with a specifically pastoral or formational character have often led to the further award of the Diploma in Ministry.
Trinity students are served by the Leeper Library at Trinity and by the Mollison collection, the library of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, which is also held at the college. They also have access to the Dalton-McCaughey Library, the joint collection of the Jesuit and Uniting Church colleges, with one of the finest research theological collections in the southern hemisphere.
Deans and directors
Leadership of theological education at Trinity was originally the responsibility of the college chaplains under the supervision of the warden. Since the 1970s there have been lecturers specifically appointed to teach in and lead the school, holding the positions of Stewart Lecturer, Director and, more recently, Dean. The following have held these offices:The Revd Maxwell Thomas - Stewart Lecturer, 1971-75.
The Revd Canon John Gaden - Director and Stewart Lecturer. 1976-85.
The Revd Richard McKinney - Director and Maynard Lecturer, 1986-1997.
The Revd Scott Cowdell - Maynard Lecturer and Acting Director, 1998.
The Revd David Cole - Director and Woods Lecturer, 1999-2003.
The Revd Canon Andrew McGowan - Director (later Warden of Trinity College) and Munro Lecturer, 2003-2007.
The Revd Tim Gaden - Dean and Stewart Lecturer, 2007-2010.
The Revd Dorothy Lee - Dean and Frank Woods Distinguished Lecturer, 2011-present.
Academic staff
At present TCTS has seven academic staff formally appointed to named lectureships, in addition to adjunct teachers, tutors and administrators.The Revd Canon Andrew McGowan - Warden of Trinity College and Joan F. W. Munro Lecturer, who teaches in early church history and liturgy.
The Revd Dorothy Lee - Dean and Frank Woods Distinguished Lecturer in New Testament.
The Revd Canon Ray Cleary - Director of Ministry Formation and Sambell Lecturer in Public and Pastoral Theology.
The Revd Andreas Loewe - Gavan Lecturer in Theology and college chaplain.
David Gormley O'Brien - McMullin Lecturer and Registrar, who teaches patristics.
Meg Warner - Morna Sturrock Fellow, teaching Old Testament.
Graduates
Trinity has produced many clergy who have held significant appointments in the Anglican Church. These include:
- The Right Revd Reginald StephenReginald StephenReginald Stephen was the Anglican Bishop of Tasmania from 1914 until 1919 and then the Bishop of Newcastle from 1919 until his retirement in 1928....
(1860-1956), Bishop of Tasmania and Dean of Melbourne - The Right Revd Peter CarnleyPeter CarnleyPeter Frederick Carnley AC is a retired Australian Anglican bishop. Carnley was the Archbishop of Perth from 1981 to 2005 and was Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia from 2000 until July 2005...
, Archbishop of Perth and PrimatePrimate (religion)Primate is a title or rank bestowed on some bishops in certain Christian churches. Depending on the particular tradition, it can denote either jurisdictional authority or ceremonial precedence ....
of the Anglican Church of AustraliaAnglican Church of AustraliaThe Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
2000-2005 - The Right Revd Peter HollingworthPeter HollingworthPeter John Hollingworth AC, OBE is an Australian Anglican bishop. He served as the Archbishop of Brisbane for 11 years before becoming the 23rd Governor-General of Australia from 2001 until 2003....
, Archbishop of Brisbane, Governor General 2001-2003 - The Most Revd Philip AspinallPhillip AspinallPhillip Aspinall has been the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia since February 2002 and Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia since July 2005. He succeeded Peter Hollingworth as Archbishop of Brisbane....
, Archbishop of Brisbane 2002-present; PrimatePrimate (religion)Primate is a title or rank bestowed on some bishops in certain Christian churches. Depending on the particular tradition, it can denote either jurisdictional authority or ceremonial precedence ....
of the Anglican Church of AustraliaAnglican Church of AustraliaThe Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
2005-present - The Right Revd Kay GoldsworthyKay GoldsworthyKay Goldsworthy is a bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Perth, Western Australia. In April 2008 she was chosen to become an assistant bishop in the diocese by the Archbishop of Perth, Roger Herft...
, first woman bishop in the Anglican Church of Australia
See also
- Anglican Church of AustraliaAnglican Church of AustraliaThe Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
- Melbourne College of DivinityMelbourne College of DivinityThe Melbourne College of Divinity is a theological education organisation located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.The MCD is an ecumenical consortium of a number of theological colleges from a number of denominations...
- United Faculty of TheologyUnited Faculty of TheologyThe United Faculty of Theology is an informal association of theological colleges founded in 1969 to provide an ecumenical setting for theological education and to support research...
- University of MelbourneUniversity of MelbourneThe University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...