March 9, 2006,
For Immediate Release

Atlantic School of Theology Announces 2006 Honorees and Convocation Speaker
 
Halifax, NS - The Board of Governors, Senate, and President of Atlantic School of Theology (AST), The Rev. Canon Eric Beresford, are pleased to announce the names of those who will be honored at the 35th Convocation of Atlantic School of Theology.

The Very Rev. Thomas A. Mabey will be awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa).
In conferring the degree on Fr. Mabey, AST recognizes his outstanding service, and leadership in the areas of ethics, ecumenism and education. Fr. Mabey was for many years Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at AST where he also served several terms as Academic Dean. His leadership within the Archdiocese of Halifax in formation for ministry and ecumenism has been paralleled by his service to the wider community through his work on ethics committees in health care facilities in the Halifax region. Since his retirement from teaching,
Fr. Mabey has been rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, Halifax.

Mr. Roy Hayward and The Rev. Gary Myatt will receive recognition as Associates of Atlantic School of Theology in acknowledgement of their outstanding services to the School.

Mr. Hayward (pictured left) has served as a member and chair of the Board of Pine Hill Divinity Hall. He is currently a member of the Board of AST. His tireless work in these positions reflects his extraordinary commitment to the importance of ecumenical theological education to the ministry of the churches in the region.

Mr. Myatt (pictured right) is a teaching supervisor with the Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education within the Capital Health System. From that position he has provided supervision to many AST students to whom he has modeled pastoral skill, passion for ministry and commitment to the ecumenical context.

Convocation Speaker

We are pleased and honoured to announce that Dr. Muriel Duckworth will be our Convocation Speaker. She is well known for her advocacy for social justice, and for peace, especially through the work of the organization Voices of Women. Her extraordinary contributions as a community activist combating racism and sexism, and in educational development, have been widely recognized. Dr. Duckworth became a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1983.

“I am delighted that our honorees and our Convocation Speaker are all individuals
whose work reflects the importance of the ecumenical project in the life of the Church
and world today,” said Canon Eric Beresford, President of AST. 

 
AST’s Thirty-Fifth Annual Convocation will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2006, at 2:00 PM
at Woodlawn United Church, 54 Woodlawn Road, Dartmouth.

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For further information, contact:
Katharine Berrington
Public Relations & Development Officer
Atlantic School of Theology
( 902) 496-7943