Tomáš Halík is a scholar with expertise in both sociology and theology who elected to become a Catholic and a priest under the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia. He is a citizen who has been actively engaged in the political transformation of his country. He is a priest who provides pastoral care to all individuals, irrespective of their religious affiliation. He is a theologian whose writing style represents a synthesis of theological discourse and pastoral experience, uniting the teachings of preceding generations with the lived experiences of life and ministry of a man of his generation. In summary, his theological perspective can be described as that of a priest who has engaged in ministry throughout his life in a manner consistent with a synodal approach, even though he did not explicitly utilize this term. He offers a particularly insightful perspective on the “change of epoch” that the Church is currently undergoing, providing a thought-provoking interpretation of its self-understanding and future mission.

“Being an honorary professor of LSRS is a great honor and challenge for me. [… The Church] needs the backing of professional institutes dedicated to the spiritual diagnosis of our society and considers a strategy for the healing process. It is essential for the Church and the society we are a part of to create an international and interdisciplinary network of centers of open thinking to share and mutually expand our perspectives. I believe that the LSRS can become a significant international think tank in this process. I believe that the LSRS – now connected with the University of Bonn – can fulfill this role, and I would like to assist effectively.” (From his inaugural lecture as an Honorary Professor, published in J. Ehret, J. Sautermeister (Ed.), What Keeps Us Together When We Disagree, Münster, Aschendorff, 2024.)