Director appointed for The Catholic Institute

Senior theology lecturer Dr Anne Tuohy has been appointed Director of The Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand. Currently a Senior Lecturer at the Australian Catholic University’s School of Theology in Strathfield, Dr Tuohy will take up her role as the inaugural director of The Catholic Institute in March 2012.

Dr Tuohy is originally from Wellington and has distinguished career of teaching and research in Catholic theology and in the formation of leaders of institutions in a pastoral and educational outreach and response. She has taught across all levels of the educational system in New Zealand, England and Australia. She is currently the Assistant Head of School at the Australian Catholic University and is on a number of internal and external committees and professional associations.

Dr Tuohy holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the Australian Catholic University; a Master of Theology from the Sydney College of Divinity in New South Wales, Australia, and a Diploma of Teaching from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. She was a recipient of the Brian Murray Scholarship for Theological Studies and the Catholic University Post-Graduate Award for Doctoral Studies Scholarship.

Her main teaching area is in Systematic or Foundational theology with a particular emphasis on theologies of social critique and sacramental theology. More recently, Anne has become involved in the relationship between theology and the social sciences and is currently working with initiatives involving the Catholic Health Care sector.

Dr Tuohy’s publications include “On Being Pastoral”, which she co-authored with Associate Professor Patrick McArdle. Her conference presentations and workshops have explored themes such as religious education “beyond the school gates”, new models of formation, the discipleship of equals, and maintaining the dignity of the human person in disability services.

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference established The Catholic Institute to provide formation for those involved in education and pastoral ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand and the opportunity to engage in research and discussion in all areas of the Church and its ministries. The six diocesan bishops are the trustees of The Catholic Institute.