Research Centre for Studies of the Second Vatican Council

Based in the School of Theology, the Research Centre for Studies of the Second Vatican Council is an international partnership between ACU, KU Leuven, and the University of Tilburg.

Our research

The Centre aims to investigate lines of inquiry that draw their inspiration from the Second Vatican Council, among them, biblical theology, comparative theology and ecological theology. 

Taking an integral approach, methodologically and thematically, research will focus on:

  • historical analysis of the Council’s antecedents;
  • studies of the Council itself; and
  • constructive treatments of the Council’s reception as well as developing trajectories that have the Council and its documents as their inspiration.

Our people

Emmanuel_Nathan_360x360px

Emmanuel Nathan - Centre Director

Dr Emmanuel Nathan is a Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Comparative Theology and the Director of the newly established Research Centre for Studies of the Second Vatican Council. Originally specialising in New Testament studies and early Christian origins, his current research interests are in the hermeneutics and comparative study of sacred texts and traditions in the Abrahamic faiths.

His publications include: Provoked to Speech: Biblical Hermeneutics as Conversation (Peeters, 2014), Is there a Judeo-Christian Tradition: A European Perspective (De Gruyter, 2016) and Re-membering the New Covenant at Corinth (Mohr Siebeck, 2020).

In 2020 he was named the inaugural Monsignor Professor Denis Edwards Visiting Scholar to the Laudato Si’ Research Institute at Campion Hall, University of Oxford.

Dr Antonia Pizzey

Dr Antonia Pizzey - Postdoctoral Researcher

Antonia Pizzey completed her Ph.D. in Theology at ACU in 2016. Her dissertation focused on the emerging method of Receptive Ecumenism and its connection to Spiritual Ecumenism. Her current research explores the history, meaning and reception of Vatican II’s metaphor of the Church as “pilgrim”. She is a postdoctoral researcher for the five-year ACURF funded project: “The Vision of Vatican II on Revelation, Church, Ecumenism, and Education”, which is housed in the Research Centre for Studies of the Second Vatican Council. She is also a Lecturer in ACU’s School of Theology. Her research interests include ecumenism, ecclesiology, Vatican II studies, eschatology, and theological virtues, especially humility and hope.

View profile


Affiliated with:

  • Mathijs Lamberigts (KU Leuven), Chief Investigator
  • Peter De Mey (KU Leuven), Chief Investigator
  • Karim Schelkens (Tilburg University), Chief Investigator                   

Join us

The Research Centre for Studies of the Second Vatican Council invites applications from potential doctoral students in relevant areas.

Find out more about studying with us

Have a
question?

Ask
Research

Our contacts

Have a question for a specific
team? Ask the right person.

View all contacts