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'{{Short description|College in Belfast, Northern Ireland}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}} {{coord|54.585|-5.931|display=title|region:GB_scale:5000}} ''This page is about a college in Northern Ireland. For institutions with similar names, see [[Union Theological Seminary (disambiguation)|Union Theological Seminary]] and [[Union School of Theology]]'' {{Infobox university | name = Union Theological College | image = The Union Theological College, Belfast - geograph.org.uk - 395032.jpg | image_size = 250px | logo = [[Image:Union Theological College logo.png]] | motto = {{lang-la|“Veritatem eme et noli vendere”}} | mottoeng = ''“Buy the truth and sell it not”'' (taken from Proverbs 23:23) | established = {{start date and age|1853}} (Assembly's College) | head_label = Principal | head = Gordon Campbell | city = [[Belfast]] | country = [[Northern Ireland]] | affiliations = [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland]] | website = {{URL|http://www.union.ac.uk}} | address = 108 Botanic Avenue<br />Belfast<br />BT7 1JT }} '''Union Theological College''' is the [[theological]] college for the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland]] and is situated in [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]]. It is governed by the Council for Training in Ministry. It is responsible for training people for ministry in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and also runs courses open to the wider public. The college currently offers three residential courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD levels, and five [[Distance education|distance learning]] postgraduate courses in Theology through BibleMesh.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Courses - Union Theological College|url=https://www.union.ac.uk/courses|access-date=2021-08-30|website=www.union.ac.uk}}</ref> The professors of the college constitute the Presbyterian Theological Faculty of Ireland (PTFI) which was granted a [[Royal Charter]] in 1881 to confer postgraduate [[academic degrees]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=Union & PTFI|url=https://www.union.ac.uk/discover/union-ptfi|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-31|website=Union Theological ==History== [[File:Badly in need of a landscaper! (25836225670) (cropped).jpg|thumbnail|left|The building, circa 1860-1880.]] === The Assembly’s College === The college was founded in 1853 as the Assembly’s College. The Renaissance Revival style building with its grand Doric porch and Baroque attic was designed by Sir [[Charles Lanyon]], the architect of the main building at [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen’s]] and built with [[Scrabo Tower|Scrabo]] stone at a cost of £5,000.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=The Presbyterian College Belfast 1853-1953|last=Allen|first=Robert|publisher=William Mullan|year=1954|location=Belfast|pages=90}}</ref> [[Jean-Henri Merle d'Aubigné|Merle d’Aubigné]] of Geneva participated in the opening ceremony on 5 December 1853 alongside [[Henry Cooke (minister)|Henry Cooke]], President of the Faculty (the five other professors in the new college were [[John Edgar (minister)|John Edgar]], Robert Wilson, [[William Dool Killen|William Killen]], James G. Murphy and [[William Gibson (minister)|William Gibson]]). There was a large influx of students in the wake of the [[1859 Ulster revival|1859 Revival]] and the south wing with its dining hall and student accommodation (“Chambers”) was added in 1869.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Presbyterian College Belfast 1853-1953|last=Allen|first=Robert|publisher=William Mullan & Son|year=1954|location=Belfast|pages=98}}</ref> [[Princeton Seminary|Princeton seminary]] had an important influence in the shaping of the ethos of the college during this period: the Rev. [[Robert Watts (minister)|Roberts Watts]] who was appointed Professor of Systematic Theology in 1866 hoped to make “Belfast another Princeton”.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Ulster-American Religion: Episodes in the History of a Cultural Connection|last=Livingstone|first=David N.|publisher=University of Notre Dame Press|year=1999|isbn=9780268043032|pages=[https://archive.org/details/ulsteramericanre0000livi/page/7 7–8, 32]|url=https://archive.org/details/ulsteramericanre0000livi/page/7}}</ref> The north wing with its wood-panelled chapel was designed by John Lanyon, son of original architect, and completed in 1881.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/theology-college-provides-union-of-hearts-and-minds-28503341.html|title=Theology college provides union of hearts and minds|work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk|access-date=8 February 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> The first degrees under the Royal Charter were conferred in 1883.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Presbyterian College Beflast 1853-1953|last=Allen|first=Robert|publisher=William Mullan|year=1954|location=Belfast|pages=158}}</ref> However, the death of Watts in 1895 marked the beginning of the end of the Princetonian influence.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Presbyterian College Belfast 1853-1953|last=Allen|first=Robert|publisher=William Mullan|year=1954|location=Belfast|pages=201}}</ref> A partial union took place between the faculties in Belfast and Magee in 1922. [[File:Parliament of Northern Ireland 1921.jpg|thumb|right|The Commons.]] [[File:Senate of Northern Ireland 1921.jpg|thumb|right|The Senate.]] The newly formed [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] met in the Assembly’s College from 1921 until 1932 while [[Parliament Buildings (Northern Ireland)|Stormont]] was being built: the [[House of Commons of Northern Ireland|Commons]] met in the Gamble Library and the [[Senate of Northern Ireland|Senate]] in the college chapel.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Simpson |first=Mark |date=2021-09-13 |title=NI 100: Parliament's temporary home in a Belfast college |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-58543083 |access-date=2022-03-30}}</ref> During this period the college conducted classes in a house and provided library resources in a house on University Square. In 1926 the college became a Recognised College of [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen’s University]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.qub.ac.uk/News/Archive/2004PressReleases/01-2004PressReleases/|title=Queen's forges "divine" link-up with theological colleges}}</ref> but the college then came under criticism for its embrace of theological liberalism. This culminated in a charge of heresy being brought against Professor [[James E. Davey|J. Ernest Davey]] in 1926-27 and a heresy trial in 1927 because of his teaching in the College.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newulsterbiography.co.uk/index.php/home/viewPerson/1956|title=The Dictionary of Ulster Biography|website=www.newulsterbiography.co.uk|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> The five charges were summarised in the minutes of the General Assembly as follows: # The first charge alleges that Professor Davey denies that ‘God pardoneth all our sins and accepeth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputes to us.’ # The second charge alleges that Professor Davey taught what is contrary to Holy Scripture concerning the absolute perfection of our Lord's character. # The third charge alleges that Professor Davey taught what is contrary to the Word of God and the Westminster Confession of Faith regarding the inspiration, infallibility, and Divine authority of Holy Scriptures, # The fourth charge alleges that Professor Davey taught what is contrary to the doctrine that ‘the sinfulness of all sins proceedeth only from the creature and not from God.’ # The fifth charge alleges that Professor Davey held and taught that the doctrine of the Trinity is not taught in the Word of God.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Minutes of the General Assembly |publisher=Presbyterian Church in Ireland |year=1927 |pages=41}}</ref> Although cleared by the Church’s courts, a small number of Presbyterians broke away unhappy with the decision and founded what later became the [[Evangelical Presbyterian Church (Ireland)|Evangelical Presbyterian Church]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our history |url=https://www.epcni.org.uk/our-history |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=Evangelical Presbyterian Church |language=en-GB}}</ref> The college officially reopened in October 1932 and the inaugural lecture was delivered by the Scottish Historian [[Robert Rait]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Presbyterian College Belfast 1853-1953|last=Allen|first=Robert|publisher=William Mullan|year=1954|location=Belfast|pages=252}}</ref> Between 1941 and 1948 the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary|city police]] used the college as its own headquarters were bombed in the [[Belfast blitz|Belfast Blitz]]. In 1953, to mark the College’s centenary year, Prof. Davey was elected Moderator of the General Assembly.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Presbyterian College Belfast 1853-1953|last=Allen|first=Robert|publisher=William Mullan|year=1954|location=Belfast|pages=271}}</ref> === The Union Theological College === In 1976 theological teaching at [[Magee College]] in [[Derry]] ceased and the two colleges amalgamated in 1978. The new college, constituted by an Act of Parliament, was named the Union Theological College.<ref name="union150">[[Presbyterian Church in Ireland]] Press Release, 2003 [http://www.presbyterianireland.org/news/news2003/news0468.html ''Presbyterian College Celebrates 150 Years''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119145202/http://www.presbyterianireland.org/news/news2003/news0468.html |date=19 November 2008 }}. Retrieved on 8 March 2008.</ref> John M. Barkley was Professor of Church History from 1954 until his retirement in 1981 (Principal 1976-1981) and was succeeded by Finlay Holmes (Principal 1987-1992). Laurence Kirkpatrick was subsequently appointed Professor of Church history in 1996 (Principal 2008-2010). In 2003 the college celebrated its 150th anniversary by completing a £2.8million pound refurbishment in which individual study bedrooms with ensuite facilities were added. [[Alister McGrath|Alister E. McGrath]], Professor of Historical Theology at the [[University of Oxford]] gave a public lecture entitled “Renewing our vision for the future of Protestant Christianity in Northern Ireland”. Bill Addley retired as Professor of Practical Theology in 2006 and the vacated chair was filled by Drew Gibson. Cecil McCullough, Professor of New Testament, who served as Principal from 1998-2002, retired in 2007 and was succeeded in the chair by Gordon Campbell. On 14 November 2009 a fire caused serious damage to the rear of the college during the refurbishment of the Principal’s House (a £2.2million project).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8360228.stm|title=BBC NEWS - UK - Northern Ireland - Firefighters injured at college|work=bbc.co.uk|date=14 November 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/theology-college-provides-union-of-hearts-and-minds-28503341.html|title=Theology college provides union of hearts and minds|work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk|access-date=8 February 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> The extension known as the Training Resource Centre provided further lecture and seminar rooms was subsequently opened in September 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/News/2011-News-Archive/Fire-Destroyed-Union-College-extension-finally-ope.aspx|title=Fire destroyed Union College extension finally opens}}</ref> [[Stafford Carson]] was appointed as a new executive principal in 2013. At this time a major stonework restoration and conservation project took place (2013-2017).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/how-your-5p-bag-tax-is-helping-to-save-six-majestic-buildings-31380276.html|title=How your 5p bag tax is helping to save six majestic buildings|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph}}</ref> Patton Taylor retired as Professor of Old Testament in 2016 (Principal 2002-2008 and 2010-2013). In 2017 the college marked the 500th anniversary of the Reformation by participating in a “Luther 500” conference and by hosting an autumn seminar series entitled “The Unfinished Reformation”.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reformation focus for Union autumn seminars |url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/News/2017-News-Archive/September-2017/Reformation-focus-for-Union-seminars.aspx}}</ref> The Welsh Presbyterian theologian Stephen N. Williams, who had held the Chair of Systematic Theology from 1994, was succeeded in 2017 by Michael McClenahan. In 2018 there was “a refresh of the College’s Coat of Arms” with the help of a digital heraldic artist, including discussion of the motto to “buy the truth and sell it not”.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 September 2018 |title=The College's Coat of Arms |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/discover/news-events/blog/39/the-colleges-coat-of-arms |access-date=19 September 2021 |website=www.union.ac.uk}}</ref> ==== Breaking of links with Queen's University Belfast ==== In 2016, [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen’s University Belfast]] undertook a strategic review of the teaching of Theology as all new undergraduate students were then taught at Union Theological College, noting decline in the overall number of students studying theology at the four Theological Colleges, and expressing concerns regarding the diversity of provision compared to Theology and Religions departments in other UK Universities, while also highlighting “excellent student satisfaction rates” and recommending that future plans include “as many aspects of its current undergraduate provision via UTC as possible (community-mindedness, well-cared for student body, a fine library and library culture, and a real sense of the scholastics in ministry).”<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Strategic Review of the Teaching of Theology at Queen's University Belfast, 2 June and 3 June 2016|date=10 June 2019|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/582001/response/1402394/attach/4/Appendix%20A.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018 the Professor of Church History was [[Union Theological College#Dismissal of a professor|controversially suspended]] pursuant to his participation in a radio interview<ref>{{Cite news |title=Suspended Queen's lecturer 'faces sack' after Presbyterian college snub |language=en-GB |work=belfasttelegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/suspended-queens-lecturer-faces-sack-after-presbyterian-college-snub-37432504.html |access-date=2021-09-27 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> A subsequent [[Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education|QAA]] report that was described by journalists as “highly critical” expressed concerns regarding “weakness in the college’s maintenance of academic standards”, with “the potential to put academic standards and quality at risk”.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meredith |first=Robbie |date=5 December 2018 |title=Union Theological College standards at risk, watchdog warns |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-46448520}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=McNeilly |first=Claire |date=6 December 2018 |title=Urgent review looms for Union Theological College following highly critical report |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/urgent-review-looms-for-union-theological-college-following-highly-critical-report-37599601.html |access-date=2021-08-30}}</ref> In 2019, [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen’s University Belfast]] Senate approved a recommendation from the Academic Council regarding the Institute of Theology, with the result that the University would no longer offer Theology degrees, ending its relationship with all four Theological Colleges in the Institute of Theology, including Union Theological College.<ref>{{Cite news |title=A sad day, says Church after Queen's severs links to college |language=en-GB |work=belfasttelegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/a-sad-day-says-church-after-queens-severs-links-to-college-37999934.html |access-date=2022-04-06 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=‘Sad day’ as Queen’s University ends relationship with Presbyterian college |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/sad-day-queens-university-ends-relationship-presbyterian-college-986939 |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=www.newsletter.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> As tuition fees for 2018/19 were set at £4,160 annually, one academic in the University estimate that potential annual financial shortfall to the college was projected to be as high as £700,000 on the assumption that over 150 undergraduate students might normally be admitted in a given year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Preston |first=Allan |date=11 April 2019 |title=Queen's split with Union Theological College could cost £700k |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/queens-split-with-union-theological-college-could-cost-700k-38003060.html}}</ref> While student numbers enrolled in the colleges of the Institute of Theology had declined significantly in latter years,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Bradfield |first=Phil |date=13 April 2019 |title=Queen's University Belfast Academic Council, 2 April 2019: Provision of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes through the Institute of Theology |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/406109772/QUEEN-S-UNIVERSITY-BELFAST-QUB-Academic-Council-2-April-2019-Provision-of-Undergraduate-and-Postgraduate-Programmes-through-the-Institute-of-Th |url-status=live}}</ref> numbers in the College had seen a smaller decrease, from 264 in 2012<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2012 |title=Review for Educational Oversight by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education |url=https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/reports/union-theological-college-belfast-reo-12.pdf?sfvrsn=b3f5f581_4 |access-date=6 April 2022 |website=QAA}}</ref> to 233 in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2017 |title=Educational Oversight: report of the monitoring visit of Union Theological College, Belfast |url=https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/reports/union-theological-college-belfast-eo-am-17.pdf?sfvrsn=6f5f581_4 |access-date=6 April 2022 |website=QAA}}</ref> It was subsequently argued that the immediately foreseeable shortfall in the absence of any new income streams would be £250,000 by 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 May 2019 |title=Church faces £250k shortfall over loss of QUB fees for college |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/church-faces-250k-shortfall-over-loss-of-qub-fees-for-college-38165684.html}}</ref> Until 2021, the college had provided teaching and assessment for undergraduate and postgraduate awards offered through the Institute of Theology at [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen’s University Belfast]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Institute of Theology - Graduation Celebration Event, Jul 27, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uswFwAmTPc |language=en |access-date=2021-08-29}}</ref> Whereas a wider range of modules was offered to students in the past, previously including a “Graduate Certificate in Youth Ministry programme”,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Union Theological College Belfast College Handbook 2018-19 (page 45) |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/cmsfiles/Student-hub/Handbook/Handbook2018-19V09.01.doc.pdf |url-status=live |archive-date=September 2018 |access-date=21 September 2021}}</ref> the range of available modules had latterly been restricted “for reasons of financial viability”.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |title=Educational Oversight: report of the monitoring visit of Union Theological College, May 2021 |url=https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/reports/union-theological-college-eo-am-21.pdf?sfvrsn=7ee3d681_6 |url-status=live}}</ref> ==== Diversity of staff ==== One of the concerns raised by the Strategic Review carried out by [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen’s University Belfast]] in 2016 was a lack of diversity in the faculty. It was noted that “there are now no full-time female members of staff teaching on the undergraduate programmes” and that the full-time teaching staff “are all male and from a Presbyterian background”, with a requirement that they “be committed to working within the Christian ethos and doctrinal framework of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland”. It was also noted that any Professorial appointment must be an ordained minister in the Church, or eligible to become such.<ref name=":2" /> According to the report of a QAA monitoring visit in May 2021, “the college reports that it has had no relevant staff vacancies,”<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Educational Oversight: report of the monitoring visit of Union Theological College, May 2021 |url=https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/reports/union-theological-college-eo-am-21.pdf?sfvrsn=7ee3d681_6 |url-status=live}}</ref> yet three such vacancies were advertised shortly thereafter with just over a week’s notice of the associated application deadline.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Job Opportunities – Lecturer Biblical Studies, Old Testament - Union Theological College |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/discover/news-events/blog/100/job-opportunities-lecturer-biblical-studies |access-date=2021-08-29 |website=www.union.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Job Opportunities – Lecturer in Practical and Pastoral Theology - Union Theological College |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/discover/news-events/blog/98/job-opportunities-lecturer-in-practical |access-date=2021-08-29 |website=www.union.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Job Opportunities – Lecturer in Biblical Studies, New Testament - Union Theological College |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/discover/news-events/blog/99/job-opportunities-lecturer-in-biblical |access-date=2021-08-29 |website=www.union.ac.uk}}</ref> The new faculty appointments were then announced in August 2021, consisting of two men and a woman. ==== Orange Order use of premises ==== During the centennial anniversary year marking [[Partition of Ireland|partition on the island of Ireland]], the college hosted a live-streamed event in September 2021 for an invited audience, with speakers including the Irish [[Tánaiste]] [[Simon Coveney]] and [[Sinn Fein]] Junior Minister [[Declan Kearney]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Black |first=Rebecca |date=17 September 2021 |title=Irish minister acknowledges 'hurt' among minorities on both sides of border |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/irish-minister-acknowledges-hurt-among-minorities-on-both-sides-of-border-40861540.html}}</ref> thereby publicly commemorating the college’s previous role in hosting the first [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=16 September 2021|title=Northern Ireland singer to perform at Presbyterian event|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/northern-ireland-singer-to-perform-at-presbyterian-event-40855812.html|access-date=2021-10-27|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=17 September 2021|title=On these steps|url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Events/On-these-steps.aspx|url-status=live|access-date=27 October 2021}}</ref> However, the college evidently also hosted the [[Orange Order]] on a number of separate occasions during the same year, apparently without similarly attempted notification of the broader public at the time. In January 2021, the premises of Union Theological College were made available to the [[Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland|Grand Orange Lodge]] to film a video of the first of various planned services marking the centennial of [[Partition of Ireland|partition on the island of Ireland]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=GOLIpress|date=2021-01-17|title=CentenNIal Service|url=https://www.goli.org.uk/post/centennial-service|access-date=2021-10-27|website=GOLI|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 2021 |title=First CentenNIal service attracts a global audience |pages=2 |work=The Orange Standard Newspaper |url=https://www.goli.org.uk/_files/ugd/d4167b_1b9a7624667d47f6b27ca85b1be690d0.pdf}}</ref> At this time churches in Northern Ireland had already decided to close in response to increasing cases of COVID-19.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Beattie|first=Jilly|date=2021-01-07|title=Northern Ireland churches to close amid spike in Covid-19 cases|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/coronavirus-ni-northern-ireland-churches-19582971|access-date=2021-09-26|website=BelfastLive|language=en}}</ref> In September 2021, Queen’s Orange Society (LOL 1845) held another service in Union Theological College, subsequently [[Orange walk|parading]] past [[Queen's University Belfast|Queen’s University]].<ref>{{Citation|title=QUB Orange Society on Facebook Watch|url=https://www.facebook.com/quborange/videos/queens-lol-1845-return-parade-going-past-queens-university-from-their-church-ser/845973922788685/|language=en|access-date=2021-09-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=PAR\91146: Queen's LOL No 1845 Rising Sons Of William|url=http://www.paradescommission.org/viewparade.aspx?id=77632|url-status=live|access-date=1 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 2021 |title=The Queen's LOL 1845 annual service was held at Union Theological College, Belfast, parading from and returning to Sandy Row Orange Hall |pages=9 |work=The Orange Standard Newspaper |url=https://www.goli.org.uk/_files/ugd/d4167b_4f1c9458ca204e8489cf8a6623c7e091.pdf}}</ref> Whereas Union Theological College claims to welcome “students from all backgrounds” whenever advertising its new undergraduate programme with [[St Mary's University, Twickenham|St Mary's University]],<ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=February 2022|title=Presbyterian Herald, number 835, page 51|url=https://issuu.com/presbyterianireland/docs/presbyterian_herald_february_2022|access-date=2022-02-14|website=issuu.com|language=en}}</ref> there is no comparable evidence to date regarding either previous or potential use of the college chapel (nor other college premises) for celebration of [[Mass in the Catholic Church|Mass]]. Indeed, the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland]] requires that professors at the college should subscribe to the [[Westminster Confession of Faith]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021|title=THE CODE: The book of the Constitution and Government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Section IV – The Theological College, page 111|url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/getmedia/6edbf9ac-0439-42a6-8f02-cd998d1223e6/THE-CODE-JUNE-2021.docx.aspx?ext=.docx}}</ref> which describes the “popish sacrifice of the mass” as “most abominably injurious to Christ's one, only sacrifice”.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Assembly|first=Westminster|url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Confession_of_Faith_of_the_Assembly_of_Divines_at_Westminster#Chapter_29|title=The Confession of Faith of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster}}</ref> Meanwhile, the [[Orange Order]] has deliberately [[Orange Order#Beliefs and activities|excluded Roman Catholics from its membership]], and it has been a stated requirement that [[Orange Order]] members “should strenuously oppose the fatal errors and doctrines of the Church of Rome and other Non-Reformed faiths, and scrupulously avoid countenancing … any act or ceremony of Roman Catholic or other non-Reformed Worship”.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalyork.org.uk/2007/01/qualifications-of-orangeman.html|title=Qualifications of an Orangeman|work=royalyork.org.uk|access-date=26 September 2016|archive-date=27 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827051719/http://www.royalyork.org.uk/2007/01/qualifications-of-orangeman.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Although the [[Orange Order]] has been otherwise characterised as “a society with secrets”,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Webster |first=Joseph |url=https://www.manchesterhive.com/view/9781526113788/9781526113788.00012.xml |title=The religion of Orange politics: A society with secrets |date=2020-06-30 |publisher=Manchester University Press |isbn=978-1-5261-1378-8 |language=en-US |doi=10.7765/9781526113788.00012|s2cid=243405230 }}</ref> a survey of 1,500 participants throughout Northern Ireland in 2011 nevertheless indicated how over 60% of its membership were convinced that “most Catholics are IRA sympathisers”.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2011-11-22|title=60% of Order view Catholics as 'IRA sympathisers'|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-15832376|access-date=2022-02-14}}</ref> ==== New partnerships with St. Mary's University and the Kirby Laing Centre ==== In 2020 Union Theological College announced it would partner with the Roman Catholic [[St Mary's University, Twickenham]] for the awarding of undergraduate degrees.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-51635771 Union Theological College in Belfast to partner with Catholic university] By Robbie Meredith, Education Correspondent, BBC Northern Ireland, February 26, 2020.</ref> Whereas Union Theological College faced allegations that students “have experienced bullying, as well as sectarian and homophobic attitudes” from its faculty members,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-19 |title=QUB suspends relationship with Union Theological College |url=https://thegownqub.com/2018/12/19/qub-suspends-relationship-with-union-theological-college/ |access-date=2022-02-09 |website=The Gown Online |language=en}}</ref> [[St Mary's University, Twickenham|St Mary's University]] had already published resources to tackle homophobic and biphobic bullying in educational contexts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=Made in God's image: Challenging homophobic and biphobic bullying in Catholic schools |url=http://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/images/CES-Project_Homophobic-Bullying-Booklet_JUN18_PROOF-9.pdf}}</ref> However, the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland]] requires that each professor of the college must subscribe to the [[Westminster Confession of Faith]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021|title=THE CODE: The book of the Constitution and Government of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Section IV – The Theological College, page 111|url=https://www.presbyterianireland.org/getmedia/6edbf9ac-0439-42a6-8f02-cd998d1223e6/THE-CODE-JUNE-2021.docx.aspx?ext=.docx}}</ref> which states with regard to marriage that those “such as profess the true reformed religion should not marry with infidels, papists, or other idolaters ”.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Assembly|first=Westminster|url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Confession_of_Faith_of_the_Assembly_of_Divines_at_Westminster#Chapter_24|title=The Confession of Faith of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster}}</ref> It was therefore expected that the proposed relationship would be met by opposition,<ref>{{Cite news|last=McNeilly|first=Claire|date=27 February 2020|title=Presbyterian college considers Catholic university partnership|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/presbyterian-college-considers-catholic-university-partnership-38994252.html|access-date=2022-02-10|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> as proved to be the case with one anonymous blog.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 11, 2020|title=Presbyterian ministers to get their degree from Rome|url=https://protestantrevival.wordpress.com/2020/04/11/degrees-from-rome-ashes-from-priests-and-corrymeelas-sodomite-celebration-yet-more-rebellion-against-god/}}</ref> The General Assembly did not meet in 2020 to discuss the proposed partnership (neither meeting in person due to COVID-19 nor online for seemingly undisclosed reasons) but the members of the Assembly authorised a Standing Commission to conduct business on its behalf.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCreary |first=Alf |date=6 June 2020 |title=Union College's new university link-up after break with QUB |language=en-GB |work=belfasttelegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/union-colleges-new-university-link-up-after-break-with-qub-39263709.html |access-date=2022-02-10 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In October 2021, the college began advertising a new undergraduate degree on its website, validated by [[St Mary's University, Twickenham]],<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=BA (Hons) in Theology |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/courses/26/ba-hons-in-theology |url-status=live |accessdate=8 November 2021}}</ref> which is committed to the mission of the Catholic Church in higher education.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St Mary's as a Catholic University {{!}} St Mary's University |url=https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/about/catholic-mission/about.aspx |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=St Marys University |language=en-GB}}</ref> Whereas admission of prospective undergraduate students at Union Theological College was previously governed independently by [[Queen's University of Belfast|Queen’s University Belfast]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 June 2018 |title=Presbyterian relationship with QUB under spotlight after church LGBT vote |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/presbyterian-relationship-qub-under-spotlight-after-church-lgbt-vote-1022289 |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=www.newsletter.co.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Meredith |first=Robbie |date=2018-12-18 |title=QUB will not admit new students to Union Theological College |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-46612527 |access-date=2022-03-06}}</ref> applications for the new undergraduate programme are not possible either via [[UCAS]] or [[St Mary's University, Twickenham|St Mary's University]] but must instead be sent by email directly to administrative staff at Union Theological College.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Union Theological College, HOW TO APPLY: Admissions 2022, Full-time BA Hons Theology, St Mary's University, Twickenham, London |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/cmsfiles/Apply/How-to-apply-2022-January-2022.pdf |access-date=6 March 2022}}</ref> Postgraduate degrees are now awarded by the Presbyterian Theological Faculty Ireland,<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=8 November 2021|url=https://www.union.ac.uk/courses|title=Courses|publisher=UTC}}</ref> for which the student retention rate has been identical to the 100% retention rate for students whose degrees would be conferred by [[Queen's University of Belfast|Queen’s University Belfast]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 2021|title=Annual Report and Enhancement Plan, page 5|url=https://www.union.ac.uk/cmsfiles/AnnualReports/AnnualReport_2020-21.pdf}}</ref> for residential courses and slightly lower for online courses: 90% on average but as low as 80% for one course to date (where one person out of a class of five dropped out). While residential courses can be paid for in sterling, all online postgraduate courses through BibleMesh at Union Theological College require payment in [[United States dollar|United States dollars]] upon application.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2022 |title=Union Theological College: Apply Online |url=https://biblemesh.com/uniononline/apply/}}</ref> Information available for most such courses advertises access (such as through videos) to the teaching of members of the faculty<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Teaching Staff |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/support/faculty-staff/teaching-staff |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=Union Theological College, Belfast |language=en-GB}}</ref> as well as various scholars around the world,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=MTh in Reformed Theology |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/courses/9/mth-in-reformed-theology |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=Union Theological College, Belfast |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MTh in Old Testament - Union Theological College |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/courses/25/mth-in-old-testament |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=www.union.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=MTh in New Testament |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/courses/24/mth-in-new-testament |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=Union Theological College, Belfast |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Postgraduate Certificate in Biblical Greek |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/courses/13/postgraduate-certificate-in-biblical-greek |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=Union Theological College, Belfast |language=en-GB}}</ref> who also have lectures freely available on [[YouTube]] (e.g. [[Sinclair Ferguson]],<ref>{{Citation |title=Sinclair Ferguson: Romans in 40 Minutes |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZvvz_S9xuk |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Focusing on the Centre - Sinclair Ferguson |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZD-0r87wIY |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Sinclair Ferguson: The Priority of Worship |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otDt_gN5YFQ |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Sinclair Ferguson: A Reformation of the Heart |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg8rb22IF2Y |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Sinclair Ferguson: The Lord Our God, The Lord Is One: The Simplicity of God |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOtZNDMpPMY |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Sinclair Ferguson: The Substitutionary Atonement of Christ |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWnyupEuGsc |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Sinclair Ferguson: A Knowledge with No End: The Omniscience of God |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scrpDrAbUrg |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Sinclair Ferguson: The Glory of the Promise |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPDkf0OYjiI |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Sinclair Ferguson: The Sense of the Divine |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhonY-p0KSo |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Union with Christ: Life-Transforming Implications - Sinclair Ferguson |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riAP6Jsvy1A |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Sinclair Ferguson: The Nature of Saving Faith |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkJ0UymKTJM |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref> Fred Sanders,<ref>{{Citation |title=Fred Sanders {{!}} 2022 Norton Lectures: "A Credal and Credible Account of Union with Christ" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvtfpz18rzU |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Fred Sanders: John Wesley: The Origin of Evil [Torrey Honors Context Lecture] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS-NK4BP3eQ |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Lecture - Fred Sanders (The Triune God of the Bible: Seeing the Trinity in Scripture) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w3FJLGgxKs |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Fred Sanders: Theology of the Pastoral Epistles [Torrey Honors Lecture] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErLGca61cdU |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Fred Sanders: The Theology of First John [Torrey Honors Context Lecture] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFNpuxLE5-4 |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Fred Sanders: Hearing Voices: The Trinity Speaking in the Old Testament [Torrey Lecture] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xyEa3ZLIJo |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref> [[Tremper Longman III]],<ref>{{Citation |title=Lecture - Tremper Longman III - God is a Warrior: Coming to Terms with Divine Violence in the OT |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODXuCBIfeU4 |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Dr. Tremper Longman III - Public Lecture |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MMaqxzPpWA |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Creationism vs Evolution with Tremper Longman III (PhD, Yale University) May 9, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCbTuIEvDIE |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=2014 Old Testament Lund Lecture (Part 1) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE5t8g4100I |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref> [[John N. Oswalt]],<ref>{{Citation |title=Dr. John Oswalt, Isaiah, Session 1 -- Isaiah 1 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3n4g9M5K8g |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Dr. John Oswalt, Session 1, Exodus 1-2 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtPnGizyI4Y |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref> [[Craig Blomberg]],<ref>{{Citation |title=For the City: Craig L. Blomberg on "The Reliability of the New Testament" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhPlg_p9TDY |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Craig Blomberg {{!}} A New Testament Theology of Image |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_sIdMogJ44 |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Craig L. Blomberg, Denver Seminary, "A Celestial Commentary on 1 Corinthians" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6md8SNul3k |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Craig Blomberg: Matthew In The 1st and 21st Centuries |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lq6wA3STRE |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=The Historical Reliability of the Gospels- Dr. Craig Blomberg |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dHbVjhQdrI |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref> Bruce Longenecker<ref>{{Citation |title=Thinking through Paul Video Lectures, Chapter 6: Romans - Bruce W. Longenecker |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nshtqPR-7s |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref> and [[Mark L. Strauss]]<ref>{{Citation |title=The Gospels Conference with Mark Strauss (Friday Session 1) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lYuKy7ANlY |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Pastor Jim and Dr. Mark Strauss -Philippians LJCF |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTQvMwpclcI |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=How to Read the Bible in Changing Times {{!}} Dr. Mark Strauss |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uwG2S1EIL8 |language=en |access-date=2022-03-14}}</ref>). In February 2022, it was announced that support of doctoral candidates at Union Theological College would be outsourced to supervisors in need of mentoring at the [[Tyndale House (Cambridge)#Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology in Cambridge|Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology in Cambridge]], with the offer of limited availability of competitive scholarships to help defray costs.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Gordon |date=25 February 2022 |title=KLC PhD Supervision in Partnership with Union Theological College |url=https://www.union.ac.uk/discover/news-events/blog/115/klc-phd-supervision-in-partnership |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> == Faculty == The faculty currently comprises two professors respectively leading extant academic departments,<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 2021|title=Annual Report and Enhancement Plan, page 16|url=https://www.union.ac.uk/cmsfiles/AnnualReports/AnnualReport_2020-21.pdf}}</ref> a [[Professor#Non-academic usage|“non-academic”]] Professor of Ministry,<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|date=September 2021|title=Annual Report and Enhancement Plan, page 15|url=https://www.union.ac.uk/cmsfiles/AnnualReports/AnnualReport_2020-21.pdf}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=REINFORCEMENTS!|url=https://www.union.ac.uk/discover/news-events/blog/102/reinforcements|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-29|website=Union Theological College, Belfast|language=en-GB}}</ref> a senior lecturer in Biblical Studies, a lecturer in Historical Theology, a lecturer in New Testament and a lecturer in Practical Theology. [[Stafford Carson|J. Stafford Carson]] became principal of the college in 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/news/minister-s-pledge-to-help-women-in-his-new-role-1-5165844|title=Minister's pledge to help women in his new role|website=www.portadowntimes.co.uk|language=en|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> but retired in December 2020<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=Very Rev Dr Stafford Carson|url=https://www.union.ac.uk/support/faculty-staff/23/very-rev-dr-stafford-carson|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-29|website=Union Theological College, Belfast|language=en-GB}}</ref> and was then succeeded in this role by Prof. W Gordon Campbell.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Union College's new university link-up after break with QUB|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/union-colleges-new-university-link-up-after-break-with-qub-39263709.html|access-date=2021-08-29|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> === Notable faculty === * Dr [[Martyn C Cowan|Martyn C. Cowan]] (Lecturer in Historical Theology) === Notable former faculty === * [[Henry Cooke (minister)|Prof. Henry Cooke]] (d. 1868) * [[James E. Davey|Prof. J. Ernest Davey]] (d. 1960) * [[Robert Watts (minister)|Prof. Robert Watts]] (d. 1895) * Prof. [[Stephen Nantlais Williams|Stephen N. Williams]] (Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology) *Principal [[Stafford Carson|J. Stafford Carson]] (former Principal and Professor of Ministry) == Library == Founded in 1873 by Mrs Caroline Gamble in memory of her late husband, the Rev. Henry Gamble, the college Library is the largest theological library in Northern Ireland. The Gamble Library stocks over 65,000 books, 20,000 pamphlets and taking over 50 journals and periodicals. The domed library served as the Chamber of the House of Commons for the Northern Ireland Parliament from 1921 to 1932. The foundation of the collection predates the college and was formed in 1845.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Presbyterian College, Belfast, 1853-1953|last=Allen|first=R|year=1954}}</ref> A significant collection was acquired from the estate of the Presbyterian historian Rev. [[James Seaton Reid]] (d. 1851). Much of the Magee College pamphlet collection was added in 1977. == See also == * [[:Category:Academics of Union Theological College, Belfast]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{commons category|Union Theological College, Belfast}} * {{Official website|http://www.union.ac.uk }} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20081119145202/http://www.presbyterianireland.org/news/news2003/news0468.html ''Presbyterian College Celebrates 150 Years''], 2003 press release describing the college and its history. * [http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/InstituteofTheology/ Queens University Belfast Theology Official site] {{s-start}} {{succession box | title = Home of the<br />[[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] | years = 1921 &ndash; 1932 | before = [[Belfast City Hall]] | after = [[Parliament Buildings (Northern Ireland)]] }} {{end}} {{Universities in the United Kingdom}} {{Universities in Northern Ireland}} {{PCI}} {{Irish parliament houses}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Bible colleges, seminaries and theological colleges in Northern Ireland]] [[Category:Presbyterian Church in Ireland]] [[Category:Reformed church seminaries and theological colleges]] [[Category:Presbyterian universities and colleges]] [[Category:Presbyterianism in Northern Ireland]] [[Category:Queen's University Belfast]] [[Category:Educational institutions established in 1853]] [[Category:1853 establishments in Ireland]] [[Category:Grade A listed buildings]] [[Category:Academics of Union Theological College, Belfast|*]]'