Explore the richness of your Catholic Faith through the Wisdom Summit. We will explore the wisdom of Catholic tradition on the pressing issues of our day.
The Case for Catholic Tradition
Sohrab Ahmari is the former op-ed editor of the New York Post and the author of 'The Unbroken Thread: Discovering the Wisdom of Tradition in an Age of Chaos'. Sohrab's journey from a secular upbringing in Islamic Iran to his conversion to Catholicism in London gives him a truly unique perspective on how the wisdom of The Catholic Faith can answer today's biggest questions.
Sohrab Ahmari is a founder and editor of Compact: A Radical American Journal. Previously, he spent nearly a decade at News Corp., as op-ed editor of the New York Post and as a columnist and editor with the Wall Street Journal opinion pages in New York and London. In addition to those publications, his writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Republic, The Spectator, Chronicle of Higher Education, Times Literary Supplement, Dissent, and The American Conservative, for which he is a contributing editor. His books include The Unbroken Thread (2021) and Tyranny, Inc. (2023), both published by Penguin Random House.
Is Faith Reasonable?
Fr Toby is a Dominican priest, University Chaplain at King's College London and Priest Director of Radio Maria England. He will be tackling the topic of faith and reason, answering the question, 'is faith reasonable?'
Fr Toby studied law at Cambridge and had a gap year before and after Uni, something which he would thoroughly recommend, though probably not with your parents listening. After his second gap year, he worked as lawyer for an international firm for 7 years. However, something stirred in him after World Youth Day in Sydney and he began looking for something different, but wasn’t sure what it was. After thinking about joining the police or becoming a teacher, he decided to enter the Dominicans, having met a Dominican Sister while doing a part-time philosophy degree and finding himself intrigued by Dominican life and in a surprising for him of voluntarily playing less rugby so he could study more philosophy.
In 2012 he ditched the city suit for the habit, spending a year in Cambridge, followed by 4 years studying in Oxford and then 3 years in Rome. He was ordained 3 ½ years ago, and since returning to London has worked as a hospital chaplain ministering to the dying during COVID, and is also a University Chaplain at KCL. Most recently he has been running a radio station, Radio Maria. His friends say that they always said he had a face for radio, his mother says this is not true, and he should take no notice!
How can Faith shape Politics?
Lord Maurice Glasman is a political theorist, social commentator, academic at St Mary’s University and director of the Common Good Foundation. Lord Glasman's discovery of Catholic Social Teaching shaped his social and political thinking and we're excited to have him speaking on the topic of politics.
Lord Maurice Glasman, a political theorist, social commentator and academic at St May’s University. He is also the director of the Common Good Foundation and just this year published ‘Blue Labour: The Politics of the Common Good’.
Who is my neighbour?
Emily is the Director of Communications for the Alliance of Pro-Life Students, a group that helps young people, particularly those at university, to be empowered to speak out about life issues. At the Summit, Emily will explore what a life-affirming society looks like, our individual responsibility towards bringing it about and how we can resist 'throwaway culture'.
Is it Beneficial to Marry?
Dr Joshua Madden is Lector in Catholic Theology at Blackfriars Studium at Oxford University. Dr Madden will be exploring a question that the apostles asked Jesus: “is it of any benefit to marry?” With contemporary mores shifting more rapidly than ever before concerning marriage, sexuality, and the meaning of family, it is worth asking the question anew: what are the benefits of marriage?
Wisdom Summit MC
Delphine is a London-based Catholic and a former mainstream women’s magazine journalist who now uses her writing talents for a Christian legal advocacy organisation. We're so happy that she can bring her facilitating and interviewing skills to Summits as our facilitator!
Delphine is a London-based cradle Catholic who experienced her true heart conversion when she hit 30. A former mainstream women’s magazine journalist, Delphine now uses her writing talents for a Christian legal advocacy organisation, as well as running her own befriending charity, CareDogs. She can be found on Twitter sharing stories of people fighting for freedom of speech, religious belief and the right to life or on Christian YouTube channel Salt speaking on the topic of holy love in the modern world. You can connect with Delphine on Instagram.
Wisdom Summit MC
Isaac is the Creative Director of Peter's House, a UK-based Catholic creative agency that enables effective growth in ministries, often through digital tools. Isaac previously worked in communications for the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and represented the young people of England & Wales at the 2018 Youth Synod in Rome.
Please note that seats are not allocated for the Summits and will be available on a first come first serve basis.
Holy Mass
Keynote | The Case for Catholic Tradition | Sohrab Ahmari
Lunch Break
Session 1 | Is Faith Reasonable? | Fr Toby Lees OP
Session 2 | How can Faith shape Politics? | Lord Maurice Glasman
Coffee Break
Session 3 | Who is my neighbour? | Emily Hawkins
Session 4 | Is it Beneficial to Marry? | Dr Joshua Madden
Coffee Break
Dialogue | In Defence of the Common Good
- Sohrab Ahmari & Lord Maurice Glasman
Dinner
Panel
Keynote | Christ at the Centre | Fr Toby Lees OP
Holy Hour
Benediction
Ends
Please note that seats are not allocated for the Summits and will be available on a first come first serve basis.
Holy Mass
Sohrab Ahmari
Break
Lunch
Sessions
Break
Sessions
Dialogue with Sohrab Ahmari and Lord Maurice Glasman
Dinner
Panel
How to get involved at St Patrick's Soho
Holy Hour followed by Benediction
Join us as we explore faith and meaning. Please see concessions below.
£50.00
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Thanks to our sponsors we are able to offer a limited number of sponsored tickets for those who cannot afford the price of a full ticket.
£25.00
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We warmly welcome the clergy and religious who will be joining us for the Summits. Priests are invited to concelebrate at Mass and hear Confessions in the evening.
£00.00
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We do not want financial issues to be a barrier for anyone who wants to attend Summits, so if you are in that situation please apply for a fully sponsored ticket.
£00.00
Book now