The Lonergan Centre hosts events, reading groups, lectures, collaborative projects, and scholarly gatherings that bring together professors, students, researchers, professionals, and members of the wider community.
Our longest-running project is the Lonergan Reading Group, which has supported the Saint Paul University community since 1994, well before the formal creation of the Centre. The Reading Group gathers professors, students, graduates, professionals, and guests to read texts and discuss topics related to Lonergan’s work. In recent years, hybrid formats have allowed the Reading Group to welcome participants beyond the Ottawa region while maintaining its familiar seminar spirit.
The Centre also hosts the Annual Lonergan Lecture, a public event that invites scholars and practitioners to explore the continuing significance of Lonergan’s thought for contemporary questions. These lectures are often followed by discussion and reception, and recent hybrid events have allowed wider participation through Zoom.
From a long-standing regional Lonergan community to an active research centre at Saint Paul University.
Long before the formal establishment of the Lonergan Centre, research and activities related to Lonergan were already numerous at Saint Paul University and in the surrounding region. The Ottawa, Gatineau, Eastern Ontario, and Western Quebec area has long been a hub for Lonergan studies, and the Centre was created to consolidate, expand, fund, and publicize this work locally, nationally, and internationally.
The Centre was launched in May 2007. Since then it has provided a visible home for research, communications, publications, events, graduate student support, and practical applications of Lonergan’s thought. It has also helped produce new scholars, develop new networks, and strengthen the public presence of Lonergan studies under the aegis of Saint Paul University’s Faculty of Theology.
Key milestones
| 1994 | 2007 |
| The Lonergan Reading Group begins supporting graduate students and the wider Saint Paul University community. | The Lonergan Centre at Saint Paul University is formally launched in May. |
| 2011 | 2011 onward |
| The Sargent Shriver Peace Institute Research Project begins, drawing on Lonergan to explore conflict, peace, spirituality, leadership, theology, and method. | The Lonergan Publications Project develops opportunities for peer-reviewed publications, special issues, edited volumes, and collaborative research. |
| 2017 onward | 2022–2023 |
| The Insight Studies project grows from work on self-appropriation, Catholic universities, critical thinking, and practice-based learning. | Following the pandemic years, the Centre re-establishes the public Reading Group and Annual Lonergan Lecture in hybrid form. |
| 2023 onward | 2024–2026 |
| Dr. Elisabeth Nicholson assumes the role of Director, with Professor Emeritus Kenneth R. Melchin continuing as Senior Research Associate and collaborator. | The Centre continues lectures, publications, advisory-board planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, emerging scholar support, and website/social media outreach. |
The Centre is grateful to Saint Paul University for annual support. Its activities have also been supported at different times by operating funds, project funds, research funds, surplus funds from previous external research grants, and designated resources connected with initiatives such as the Shriver Research Project and the shared Faculty of Theology research-centres website.
| 2015 – Dr. James Pambrun | 2017 – Dr. Kenneth R. Melchin |
| Encounters across Boundaries: Diversity in Theological and Human Discourse | Lonergan and the Catholic University. |
| 2019 – Dr. Hazel Markwell | 2023 – Dr. Richard Grallo |
| Informed Consent and Feelings: Lonergan’s Contribution to Medical Decision Making. | Creativity and Critical Thinking as Mindful Practice. |
| 2024 – Dr. Susan Gray | 2025 – Rev. Dr. Gerard K. Whelan, S.J. |
| Gender Oppression and Violent Extremism: The Correlation Begins in the Home. | The Synod as a Kairos for Theology: Opportunity for a New Reception of Lonergan’s Thought? |
| 2026 – Dr. Paul LaChance | Ongoing |
| Horizons and Integrations: Philosophical Reflections on Psychological Multiplicity. | The Centre welcomes future lectures and collaborations linking Lonergan to theology, ethics, conflict, counselling, ecology, education, spirituality, and public life. |