Lockdown has presented unprecedented challenges to the Church across the globe. We want to get a better picture of the how the Church has been/is responding by hearing from those who are working closely with or alongside the Church in this time.
In this 9th CV Connect webinar, we will be in conversation with a range of experts: the British Ambassador to the Holy See, a Member of Parliament, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service, and an Academic from St Mary’s University. We want to know what lockdown looks like for them and their perspective how the Church is responding to the current crisis.
Guest Speakers
Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service
Sarah Teather
After serving as a Member of Parliament for twelve years, Sarah joined the Rome Office of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) which took her around Middle East, East Africa and the Western Balkans, visiting projects in field and meeting refugees, staff and volunteers. Following this, she began work as the Director of the JRS in January 2016.
Member of Parliament
Mike Kane MP
Mike was elected as the Member of Parliament for Wythenshawe and Sale East in a by-election on 14th February 2014. Mike has previously served as Shadow Minister for International Development and Shadow Minister for Schools, and more recently in April 2020 Mike was appointed Shadow Minister for Aviation and Maritime. Mike is also the founder and director of Catholics for Labour and the convenor of the Catholic Legislators’ Network.
British Ambassador to the Holy See
Sally Axworthy
Sally Axworthy was appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See in September 2016. Her previous roles include time as Joint Head of the North Africa Department, Head of the Great Lakes, East Africa & Somalia Department, and Director of Corporate Services in India. Mrs Axworthy took up her appointment in September 2016.
Professor at St Mary’s, Twickenham
Prof Stephen Bullivant
Stephen Bullivant is Professor of Theology and the Sociology of Religion, and Director of the Benedict XVI Centre for Religion and Society. He joined St Mary’s University in Twickenham in 2009, having previously held posts at Heythrop College, London, and Wolfson College, Oxford. Prof. Bullivant has published ten books, the most of which is titled, “Catholicism in a time of Coronavirus” (from which the title of this webinar is taken).