Visiting Priest to Explore Life’s Great Mysteries

26 Feb 2015

By Mark Reidy

Distinguished scholar and author, Father Brendan Purcell, is looking forward to his visit to Perth next month, but he is well aware it will be no holiday. PHOTO: Robert Hiini

Distinguished scholar and author, Father Brendan Purcell, is looking forward to his visit to Perth next month, but he is well aware it will be no holiday.

The Dublin-born professor, who is currently assistant priest at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, will hit the ground running on 11 March as he shares his wisdom on topics ranging from human origins, evolution and the Eucharist to Chiara Lubich, Founder of the Focolare Movement.

Having studied philosophy in Dublin, theology in Rome and psychology in Belgium, and now as adjunct Professor at Notre Dame University in Sydney, Fr Purcell’s experiences have provided him with access to some of the world’s greatest thinkers, from the faith-filled to the unbeliever.

In a recent interview with the Archdiocese of Perth Communications and Media Office, Fr Purcell said that, although he didn’t agree with the conclusions of philosophers such as Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett, he appreciated their desire to question the world around them.

“I have respect for them simply because, as human beings, they are not satisfied to stay within the confines of the natural sciences,” he said.

Fr Purcell explained that his interest in the deeper issues of human existence, such as our origins and evolutionary development, stemmed from his time at University College in Dublin when he became aware that young people in Ireland were not dealing with the more contentious issues being dealt with by their European counterparts.

“Because English-speaking culture tends to be more science based than philosophy based… it made a lot of sense to me to get involved in these areas, even though very few philosophers seemed to put their toes into these depths,” he shared.

His inquisitive nature has since led him to entwining his priestly ministry with his philosophical curiosity, including authoring a number of books.

Issues from his most recent publication, From Big Bang to Big Mystery: Human Origins in the Light of Creation and Evolution, will be incorporated into several of the talks he will deliver in Perth.

Another of his presentations will explore the significance of the Eucharist within the course of human history.

“In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI said that the role of the priesthood is to consecrate the world so that it may become a living host, a liturgy,” he said, “so that the liturgy may not be something alongside the reality of the world, but that the world itself shall become a living host, a liturgy.”

Fr Purcell is also involved with the Abba School, an international research centre committed to exploring and elaborating on the doctrinal implications of the Charism of Unity of Chiara Lubich and he will deliver a presentation on 14 March, the seventh anniversary of her death.

Fr Purcell’s Perth Itinerary:

Thursday, 12 March:

Topic: Big Bang to Big Mystery: Creation and Evolution

Venue: Newman Siena Centre, Doubleview

Time: 1-2pm

Q&A: 2-3pm

Free entry

Registration and enquiries: 08 9241 5221 or maranatha@ceo.wa.edu.au

Thursday, 12 March

Topic: The Eucharist at the Centre of Cosmic, Evolutionary and Human History

Venue: Our Lady of Grace Parish Hall, 3 Kitchener St, North Beach

Time: 7.30pm

Free entry

Enquiries: 08 9448 4888 or olg@iinet.net.au

Friday, 13 March

Youth Event

Topic: Human Origins and Destiny: In the Light of creation and Evolution

Time: 7.30pm

Venue: Our Lady of Grace Parish Hall, 3 Kitchener St, North Beach

Entrance fee (with supper) $10 – a donation or no fee for those with financial difficulties –

money to go to WYD 2016

RSVP by 8 March

Registration and enquiries: Andrew Devitt 0403 855 069 or olg.youth@iinet.net.au

Saturday, 14 March

Topic: The Love of Loves: Chiara Lubich’s Charismatic Vision of Politics

Venue: St Mary’s Cathedral, Victoria Sq, Perth – in downstairs hall

Time: 4–7pm (Mass in cathedral at 6pm)

Contact: 08 9349 4052 or ffperth@iprimus.com.au