De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

My Graduation Day in 2011 It has been widely discussed in many and varied circles, that there have been troubles over the last year or so at Birmingham's Maryvale Institute. Maryvale is an institute of higher learning in the arch diocese of Birmingham, renowned for its depth and orthodoxy. When I studied there, Rev. Dr. Richard Conrad told me that the B.A. at Maryvale had more breadth and more depth than the theology degree available at Oxford, and was a fraction of the cost. My own experience certainly bore this out; we studied a huge range of subjects with an emphasis on educating us and not simply achieving an academic degree. As the leading centre of Catholic formation in the country, Maryvale attracts the brightest and best lecturers, many of whom teach in Rome and are religious, thus deeply committed to the founding ideology of the institute for a well educated laity. Maryvale has pioneered a "distance-learning" technique, which facilitates learning at pre-g...

This morning, Deacon Nick Donnelly announced on his blog the exciting news that a new Centre of Formation for the New Evangelisation has been established by some of the staff who recently resigned their positions at Maryvale in Birmingham.  Dr Petroc Willey, Dr Andrew Beards, and Dr Caroline Farey have embarked on a new adventure, calling their centre the School of the Annunciation . It is based in the grounds of Buckfast Abbey in Devon, thanks to the generosity and collaboration of the Abbot of Buckfast, the Rt. Rev. David Charlesworth and the monastic community. The School of the Annunciation will begin by offering a Diploma in the New Evangelisation as well as short Summer Schools which it is hoped will provide a unique opportunity to study the Catholic Faith in the beautiful setting of Buckfast Abbey, sharing the monastic community’s life and prayer over long summer weekends in August. I have to say it sounds idyllic! Deacon Nick himself is the Director of For...

On the 6th of November 2013, Maryvale held their annual award ceremony at St. Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham. This was the perfect opportunity for Archbishop Bernard Longley, President of Maryvale, to address the students with regard to the recent events at the institute. This is a transcript of his address in full: Archbishop Longley's Welcoming Address As President of the Maryvale Institute I am delighted to welcome you today to this ceremony for the Presentation of Higher Education Awards. For me this is an opportunity to recognise afresh the significance of the Maryvale Institute within the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Maryvale offers a service within and from this local Church and one that is gladly received by many local Churches as well as individuals students here in the United Kingdom and overseas. The local, ecclesial setting of the Maryvale Institute is important not only in understanding the Institute’s origins, history and development, but also because it sheds ...

Devastated to have just heard that Fr John Redford, beloved priest of Maryvale died this morning at 5am. Fr. John was an incredible friend, pastor, and the best teacher I have ever had. Please say a quick prayer for this truly extraordinary man who dedicated his life to the service of others. May flights of angels sing him to his rest. I studied theology at Maryvale for five years, graduating in 2011. When I arrived, there were more than 30 other people starting on the course of various shapes and sizes. Some had rather strong personalities, some were very timid. I felt very out of my comfort zone.  The actual building is very old, having come to the Church in 1702 at the bequest of Father Andrew Bromwich who had inherited this property from his family. From 1794 to 1838 it was the home of Oscott College, the first Seminary to open in England after the reformation. During this time the historic Chapel of the Sacred Heart was inaugurated. In 1846 after the removal of the co...

Dr. Petroc Willey Like many it seems, I was shocked and saddened to hear the news that Dr. Petroc Willey, acting director of Maryvale since the departure due to ill health of Mgr. Paul Watson, has tendered his resignation . There is a lot of publicity and talk surrounding the news, it has even been picked up by the Telegraph . Damian Thompson voices the concerns of many people when he asks "What's going on?" What is it that makes someone so talented, someone who has dedicated so much of his life to Catholic education, resign from his position? Maryvale is very dear to my heart. It is an extraordinary place which provides educational opportunities, through its distance learning programme, that allows for a level of education many would otherwise struggle to attain. It is also thoroughly Catholic, joyfully spreading the faith in a faithful, intellectual way. Now you would think this is an excellent thing that should be embraced and encouraged, and you woul...

Dr. Petroc Willey is the Acting Director of Maryvale , and has recently been at the International Congress on Catechesis in Rome, where he gave delivered a beautiful address entitled ‘God Searches for Man and Reveals Himself to him’. Afterwards, Petroc got to meet Pope Francis himself, which was a great honour. Of course, this event constitutes further recognition of the importance and value of the Maryvale Institute's contribution to catechesis in the worldwide Catholic Church. Dr. Willey’s opening address was well received and noted by many of the bishops present at the Congress for Catechists in Rome. Maryvale really is the place to study if you want to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the faith, and offers a wide range of under-graduate and post-graduate courses. Maryvale is both a place of worship and a specialist Institute, providing distance learning opportunities in Catholic Theology, Evangelisation, Catechesis, Philosophy, Ministry and Religiou...