The International Spirituality Colloquium, titled “Spirituality: In-between the Post-Traditional and the Post-Secular”, was held on 24–25 April 2025 at the ICT Auditorium, University of Malta.
Convened by Rev. Prof. CharlĂł Camilleri, from the Department of Moral Theology within the Faculty of Theology, the event brought together 21 speakers from institutions in Malta, Germany, France, Austria, the United States, Spain, and Italy, and was attended by over 30 participants, fostering rich interdisciplinary dialogue on the evolving landscape of spiritual experience.
The colloquium explored how spirituality is being reshaped in contemporary contexts marked by both a retreat from traditional religious frameworks and an openness to post-secular forms of experience and meaning-making.
The programme opened with Rev. Prof. Camilleri’s keynote address, 'Opening the Future: The Evolving Landscape of Spiritual Experience', followed by 'Formative Spirit: Self, Form and Revelation', delivered by Prof. John Baldacchino. Over the course of two days, sessions unfolded across six central themes:
1. Roots and Transformations in Spirituality – with contributions by Rev. Dr Jonathan Farrugia, Rev. Prof. Dr Michael Plattig, O.Carm., and Mr Warren James Borg Ebejer, TOCS;
2. Philosophical and Theological Reflections – featuring Prof. Michael Zammit, Dr Robert Farrugia, and Prof. John Berry;
3. Cultural and Historical Perspectives – including Dr Colette Sciberras, Rev. Robert Falzon, SDB, and Prof. Philip Cornet;
4. Spirituality in Practice and Pedagogy – with papers by Prof. Josephine Attard, Mr Godfrey Cutajar, Mr Justin Burwood, and Dr Edward Wright;
5. Contemporary Spirituality and the Post-Secular Age – presented by Rev. Prof. Raymond Zammit, Prof. Anne-Marie Callus, and Prof. Pietro Grassi;
6. Poetics, Art, Music and Theatre in Contemporary Spirituality – with insights from Dr Glen Attard, Prof. Laura Apolonio, Dr Alexander Vella Gregory, and Chev. Dr Tyrone Grima.
Each theme approached spirituality from diverse disciplinary and cultural perspectives—including theology, philosophy, education, healthcare, the arts, and ecology—highlighting its relevance and resonance in a fragmented yet interconnected world.
In addition to the academic programme, participants enjoyed culturally enriching experiences. On Thursday evening, they visited St Paul’s Grotto for a moment of reflection, followed by a reception at the National Archives of Malta, featuring traditional Maltese food. On Friday, a concluding dinner in Valletta offered a relaxed setting for continued dialogue and networking.
The colloquium was coordinated by an organising committee composed of Dr Glen Attard, Mr James Bonnici, Ms Annabelle Camilleri, and Ms Rita Vella Brincat, with Dr Attard also overseeing the scientific programme. The event was organised in collaboration with the Carmelite Institute Malta and the Maltese Association for the Study of Spirituality and Spiritual Companionship, two key partners in promoting interdisciplinary reflection on contemporary spirituality.
