Theology@McAuley is a work of the School of Theology at the McAuley Campus of Australian Catholic University. Its aim is to encourage a publishing mentality among lecturers and students of McAuley. Consequently, in this first edition you will find contributions from full-time and sessional staff in theology as well as from its graduate and undergraduate students. We would like the staff and students of McAuley to see Theology@McAuley as their very own journal.

The Journal is intended to be, if you like, a flagship of the School. Consequently, it is intended to be a Journal of Excellence. We invite readers near and far to make suggestions re future editions. We will be very pleased to receive your comments on our first edition and if you have particular ideas about how the Journal could be improved, please let us know. You can send your comments and suggestions to y.koszarycz@mcauley.acu.edu.au

Our aim is to produce two editions each year. The Journal will be kept "alive" with links to various web-sites indicating the professional involvements of staff, the School's fortnighly lecture seminars, and the array of small courses, seminar dates with visiting speakers, regular theology units and the like. The School's web-page will be in a constant process of update. So we invite readers to take a regular look at the McAuley Theology School web-site.

We wish our readers to know that you can study theology through McAuley regardless of where you live in the universe! Those in or near to Brisbane may study on campus through weekly and/or weekend lectures. There are also intensive four or five day seminar-type units that people come to from near and far. These courses are normally in mid-semester breaks and stay in the McAuley residence.

Students may also study by distance education or, our latest innovation, the graduate online study of theology through ACUweb. We currently have graduate students studying online from places such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, England, Canada and the United States as well as from all around Australia and New Zealand.

Apart from those specialising in Theology and Religious Education, individual theology units may also be studied for degrees in such areas as Religious Education, Educational Leadership, Arts, Pastoral Counselling, Social Science or simply for "Professional Development" purposes. Those interested should contact the School's Administration Officer, Ms Fran Wilkinson, on 07 3855 7255 (Australia) or 617 3855 7255 (International) or via email: F.Wilkinson@mcauley.acu.edu.au

Our particular thanks to Professor Anthony Kelly, CssR (Head, Sub-Faculty of Philosophy and Theology) and Professor Muredach Dynan (Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Quality and Outreach) for launching the E-Journal this evening. Likewise, thanks to our many colleagues, friends and visitors who came along to support this venture.

Special praise needs to be given to Yuri Koszarycz, senior lecturer in theology, as well as the School's technological wizard, who envisioned the idea of an E-Journal, designed its layout, and spent tireless months bringing it to fruition! You have before you the product of his commitment. In this he was ably supported by Diarmid Bartlett, whose technological skills demonstrate his youthful age.

Finally, to all those associated with the School of Theology at McAuley, this E-Journal is a tribute to your dedication and commitment to theological education. In turn, may Theology@McAuley be a catalyst for ongoing renewal of the theological enterprise.

The School of Theology at ACU, McAuley Campus is a community engaged in research, teaching and service within the Catholic theological tradition. It strives to create an environment of honest, intellectual exchange between the Catholic theology tradition and the needs and concerns of the communities it serves.

It has a strong commitment to academic excellence and free critical inquiry. The School fosters intellectual conversations and makes use of both classical and contemporary technologies. It strives to be open to the opportunities and the challenges that this conversation generates.

The School is committed to the pursuit of equality, justice, compassion and subsidiarity. It encourages the personal and professional development of its members and students creating a collegial community for all those interested in the theological project.

For further information about Distance and OnLine Education in Theology, click here:

Click here for "What's What" and "Who's Who" in theology at McAuley Campus in 2002: