A TOP academic has been chosen for a new post.
Dr Mark Hayes will become the inaugural holder of the St Hilda Chair in Catholic Social Thought and Practice at Durham University in September.
Dr Hayes is currently at Cambridge University and was previously managing director of Shared Interest, the co-operative lending society that finances fair trade.
He said: “The Church in the widest sense needs more tools and training to translate its insights into terms that society as a whole can engage with and which stand up to critical scrutiny. What a challenge and what an opportunity.”
Professor Alec Ryrie, head of the University’s department of theology and religion, said: “This is an exciting appointment to an exciting post.
“Dr Hayes’ work bridges theology and economics and connects the academy to real-world economic issues such as fair trade.”
Dr Hayes’ appointment was welcomed by figures including Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, and Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
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