Lived Catholicism - Third Online Conference - December 2025

Call for Papers and Workshop Proposals

The first two Lived Catholicism conferences opened up some of the pressing questions for the Catholic Church today: how to manage the tension between innovation and tradition;  how to take seriously prophetic and paradoxical voices from the edges of our community; and how to make visible the complexities of power and powerlessness at all levels. 

Many of these questions are now being raised by the synod process as we move into the implementation phase. If synodality is to be the ‘ordinary way’ of the Church (Preparatory Document 11), it is important to recognise these tensions as communities seek to address disconnects between the vision of a synodal church and the lived reality. At the same time, listening, ecclesial discernment, outreach to the margins, and synodal leadership are already present in Catholic communities around the world. 

Confirmed speakers include:

• Tricia Bruce
• Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator SJ
• Estela Padillas

Proposals

We encourage papers from across the world. The conference will run 12noon – 8pm GMT 2nd December and 7-9am, 12noon to 7pm on 3rd December, with timings chosen to accommodate a range of time zones.

Our 2025 online conference seeks to apply a Lived Catholicism lens to the synodal project. Papers are invited across three broad themes:

1. Concepts and practices of synodality
2. Perspectives from wider contexts and disciplines
3. Study of Lived Catholicism

There will be two kinds of presentation:

1. 15 minute papers, given live.
2. Pop-up Podium: 5 minute poster presentations, pre-recorded on video.

More details can be found in the Lived Catholicism conference 2025 call for papers

Please submit your proposal via this form.

The deadline for submissions is 1 October 2025.

Contact Avril Baigent for any queries: avril.c.baigent@durham.ac.uk