Posbury St Francis Annual Lecture 2026: Freedom of Religion in a Secular World
August 19, 2026 • Professor Mark Hill KC
6:00pm Monday 5th October 2026, University of Exeter (Venue TBA)
(in partnership with the University of Exeter Centre for Ethics and Practical Theology)
In the 2026 Posbury St Francis Trust Lecture, Professor Mark Hill KC will examine the importance of freedom of religion in the current age. Drawing on recent caselaw in the United Kingdom, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg, this year’s lecture will consider perceived threats to religious liberty: are they illusory or real?
Professor Mark Hill KC is Global Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame, London, and Chancellor of the Dioceses of Chichester, Leeds and Europe. He practises at the Bar in London and for the past eight years has been Vice President of the International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies.
His publications include Islam, Religious Liberty and Constitutionalism in Europe (2024), Religion and Law in the United Kingdom (2021), The Routledge Handbook on Freedom of Religion or Belief (2020), Christianity and Criminal Law (2020), and Magna Carta, Religion and the Rule of Law (2015).
Save the date! All welcome. Further details to follow.
Posbury St Francis Annual Lecture 2025: Where There's Ruin, There's Hope (Recording)
October 12, 2025 • Revd Steve Chalke
The Posbury St Francis Annual Lecture 2025, given by Revd Steve Chalke, took place on 6th October and is now available to watch on our YouTube channel!
Posbury St Francis Annual Lecture 2025: Where There's Ruin, There's Hope
August 3, 2025 • Revd Steve Chalke
6:30pm Monday 6th October, University of Exeter
(drinks from 6pm)
Steve Chalke MBE is the founder of the Oasis Trust, which has wide experience in youth work, housing, healthcare and educational projects in Britain and across Europe, Asia and Africa.
Oasis Restore is a new UK-based project working to improve the life chances of young people in custody, developing a therapeutic model of care and education with a strong focus on restoration. Oasis is working with the Ministry of Justice to create the UK’s first secure school, a replacement for youth jail, in the biggest move forward in youth justice in living memory.
Its focus will be on restoration and re-integration into society. Oasis Restore will develop a safe environment with a holistic and integrated approach to education, care and health which will improve the life chances of some of the country’s most vulnerable young people.
Register for free in-person or online tickets here.
Mother of Invention: PSFT Book Launch
April 1, 2025 • Bridget Gillard
Over 40 people attended the launch of the book, ‘Mother of Invention’, by Dr Bridget Gillard, a history of The Franciscan Servants of Jesus and Mary (FSJM) on Friday 9 May in St Stephen’s Church, Exeter.
A fascinating introduction was given by Bishop Martin Shaw whose aunt was a professed member of the FSJM Community.
Pictured - FSJM Extern Sister June Roberts with Dr Bridget Gillard.
Copies of the book, at the discounted price of £20, plus £2.50 P & P available from:
BACS:
52-10-26
12051829
The Posbury St Francis Trust
Book Launch
April 1, 2025 • Bridget Gillard
The Posbury St Francis Trust invite you to a Book Launch at 6pm on the 9th May 2025, at St Stephen’s Church, Exeter.
See the flyer here for more details.
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