Theology on Tap

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O'Terrill's pub in Atlanta, Georgia. Theology on Tap gatherings are usually held in public settings where alcohol is served.
O'Terrill's pub in Atlanta, Georgia. Theology on Tap gatherings are usually held in public settings where alcohol is served.

Theology on Tap is the name given to lectures sponsored by a number of local Roman Catholic dioceses. The lectures, which are often given by noted spiritual leaders and religious academics, address current topics in religion and theology, and are notable and sometimes controversial for their venue, which is normally a bar or restaurant.

Contents

[edit] History

The series was cofounded by Father John Cusick, a resident of Old St. Patrick's Parish, and Father Jack Wall, director of the archdiocese's Young Adult Ministry, in June 1981 in Arlington Heights, Illinois, as the result of comments made by a recent college graduate who was "concerned about his personal identity and finding meaning in life."[1] [2]

Lecture topics have included the sacrament of reconciliation (commonly referred to as confession), Christian values, embryonic stem-cell research, religious fundamentalism, the relevance of the church in the modern world and to public policy, and women's role in the church.[3]

[edit] Reach

Since its inception, the program has spread to more than 180 parishes and at least five other countries, including Canada, Italy, Taiwan, the Philippines, Ireland, and Hong Kong.[4]

As of Spring 2007, the Archdiocese of Chicago began a collaboration with RENEW International, a Catholic ministry organization, to expand and service Theology on Tap efforts in dioceses and parishes in the US and abroad. [5]

[edit] Controversy

Theology on Tap exhibits significant theological differences with some churches and temperance societies like the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (compare Christianity and alcohol). Individual critics have noted that the atmosphere of alcohol-serving establishments does not necessarily complement the somberness and respect imposed by traditional church settings.[citation needed] Advocates for Theology on Tap, however, have defended the concept, calling it, among other things, the practice of "bringing the faith to where the people are."[6] The fact that the lectures are open to the public is also hoped to bring in a broad audience; one organizer has stated that the goal of the lectures is "to reach out to people primarily in their 20s and 30s that may have strayed from their faith."[7] Many of these criticisms continue even though all translations of the bible feature stories of Jesus seeking out sinners.

[edit] Notable advocates

At least one high-level church leader has embraced the idea with a sense of humor. On October 17, 2006, Washington Archbishop Donald Wuerl responded to a Theology on Tap gathering's applause by saying "That's the warmest welcome I've ever received in a pub ... That's the first welcome I've ever received in a pub."[8]

Justin Cardinal Rigali, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Francis Cardinal George, Sean Cardinal O'Malley and Archbishop George Niederauer have also led and/or addressed program gatherings.[9]

[edit] Local Theology on Tap chapters

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Theology-on-Tap Report presented to the US Bishops
  2. ^ Theology-on-Tap: Quenching a Spiritual Thirst By Christopher Heffron from AmericanCatholic.org
  3. ^ Connecting Catholics By Jami Oetting from the Columbia Missourian
  4. ^ Theology-on-Tap Statistics from the Archdiocese of Chicago website, Young Adult Ministry page
  5. ^ Theology on Tap ‘Renewed’ from the National Catholic Register
  6. ^ Theology on Tap brings religious discussion to the people from the Hamden Chronicle
  7. ^ Theology on Tap brings religious discussion to the people from the Hamden Chronicle
  8. ^ Archbishop brings faith to a pub in Theology on Tap from CatholicOnline
  9. ^ The Theology-on-Tap Report presented to the US Bishops

[edit] External links