Editorial

THIS ISSUE OF PACIFICA CONSISTS OF ARTICLES drawn from papers delivered by leading speakers at the Melbourne College of Divinity Centenary Conference held in Melbourne in the early days of July 2010. From different aspects all the articles bear upon the theme of the conference, “The Future of Religion in Australian Society”. Pacifica is grateful to the range of distinguished scholars, national and international, who made their papers available for inclusion in this issue of the journal.

This issue, October 2010, is also the last for which I shall be acting as Editor-in-Chief. I took over the editorship from Dr Daniel Madigan SJ in late 1999 and have been responsible, with a great deal of assistance from generous colleagues, for eleven volumes since that time. While an editor’s task has its wearisome as well as its positive aspects, it has been a privilege to serve the cause of intelligent theology in Australia, Aetoroa-New Zealand, and beyond over these years. In particular, it has been gratifying to assist younger scholars emerging from doctoral studies to achieve initial publication of their research interests alongside the work of established academics.

I have received unfailing support from a succession of Chairs of the Pacifica Theological Studies Association (Dr Ian Williams, Professor Ian Breward, Professor Frank Rees, Professor Christiaan Mostert) and from Review Editors, Dr Maryanne Confoy RSC and Dr Janette Gray RSM, and Acting-Editor for one issue, Rev Bruce Barber. On the more managerial and production side, I should like to signal the contribution of Ms Margaret Wood, Dr John Honner, Mr Chris Straford, Dr Anne Elvey and Dr Mark Crees. Along with a host of members of the editorial board and readers too numerous to mention, this group of colleagues has been an academic community truly reflective of the ecumenical cooperation that has been a hallmark of Pacifica since its inception.

The Executive of the Pacifica Theological Studies Association has appointed Dr Sean Winter, Professor of New Testament at the Uniting Church Theological College, Parkville, as Editor of the journal from 1 January 2011. With this appointment I am confident that Pacifica is in excellent hands and will preserve the quality of content and production required for it to retain the A-level grade that it currently enjoys in the ERA ranking of academic journals.