11 March 2026
Professors’ Seminar Welcomes Leading Moral Theologian Mgr Livio Melina
By Jacqueline Paul
This year, the Christian Heritage Centre launched a new Professors’ Seminar. The event offered seminary formators and theology professors a forum for professional development. It also gave them an opportunity to meet colleagues from different institutions and religious communities.
We welcomed representatives from St Mary’s College, Oscott; Allen Hall Seminary in London; St Mary’s University, Twickenham; the English Dominican Province; the University of St Andrews; the Maryvale Institute; the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph; and Opus Dei.
Mgr Livio Melina led the seminar. In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him President of the original Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Rome. He served in that position for many years and has become one of the Church’s foremost moral theologians.
During three sessions, Mgr Melina explored the current state of moral theology. First, he considered the renewal that Pope St John Paul II called for in his encyclical Veritatis splendor. He also examined some of the proposals that have emerged since its publication.
Next, Mgr Melina proposed recovering a virtue based approach. He presented this as an authentic renewal in continuity with the Church’s tradition. Finally, he explored the relationship between law and the commandment to love. He explained how love represents the culmination of the moral life.
The Most Reverend John Sherrington, Archbishop of Liverpool, opened the seminar and officially welcomed Mgr Melina. Archbishop Sherrington is himself a moral theologian.
Finally, we extend our particular gratitude to the Knights of Columbus. Their generous sponsorship made this event possible.