CEPHAS 2023: ‘Who do you say that I am?’ Human Nature, Gender, and the Crisis of Identity
25th-28th August 2023
“The disorientation regarding anthropology which is a widespread feature of our cultural landscape has undoubtedly helped to destabilise the family as an institution, bringing with it a tendency to cancel out the differences between men and women, presenting them instead as merely the product of historical and cultural conditioning.”
(Congregation for Catholic Education, “‘Male and Female He Created Them’: Towards a Path of Dialogue on the Question of Gender Theory in Education” (2019))
At CEPHAS 2023, we reflected in a profound way on who we are, as well as who others say we are, exploring together Aquinas’s anthropology, and the Thomist framework for the Catholic Church’s teachings on human nature, gender, and identity.
We also discussed how a Thomistic anthropology might provide a fruitful and grounded perspective on the contemporary cultural wars about gender identity, transgenderism, and self-identification of different kinds.
There were a series of philosophy and theology workshops, evening talks with good wine, as well as the opportunity to participate in a daily liturgy, with further time for prayer and reflection.
Participants on CEPHAS 2023 said:
My first Cephas event which has been excellent and I would recommend to everyone to attend. Hope to book for next years. Great learning environment, relaxed and no pressure which I really appreciated.
Thank you! The thought, effort and time you all put into these courses really shows through the weekend and I always leave feeling enriched and renewed.
Presentation was brilliant! Clear and skilled in delivery.
It’s a real tribute to everyone who have been involved in pulling off such a huge topic, brilliantly. Well done!
It’s like a very intense retreat. Loved it! Thank you. A privilege and joy to have had this opportunity.
Really high quality and comfortable facilities. Amazing quality and quantity of food and exceptionally pleasant catering staff. Thank you!
Really lovely food all weekend and fabulous catering staff.
The catering was really great. Wholesome. Friendly, kind staff.
Congratulations on another very successful event. Productive and useful for daily life, intellectually challenging, and always stimulating – and thoroughly enjoyed.
Excellent! I’ll be back!