Rev Séamus O'Connell, BSc, SSL, DTheol

Professor of Sacred Scripture

Tel: +353 (0)1 708 3505
E-mail: seamus.g.oconnell@may.ie

Office Location: Room 11, Dunboyne House

Office Hours:
Semester One: Tuesdays, 10.15 – 11.00 am
Semester Two: Wednesdays, 2.15 - 3.45 pm

 

Biography:
Priest of the Diocese of Kerry, ordained in 1982. Undergraduate studies in Maynooth (BSc and BD); graduate studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome (SSL) and in Fribourg (DTheol). Chaplain, Millstreet Community School, Co. Cork (1986–89); Director of Scriptural Formation for the Diocese of Kerry (1992–1998). Lecturer in Sacred Scripture, 1998, appointed Professor 2006. Chair, Committee on Scripture Use, National Bible Society of Ireland (1996–present); President, IBA (2002–2005); Member of CBA (1996–present); Member, Irish Episcopal Commission for Theology (1999–present); Member, Consultative Committee for the Study of Near Eastern Religions, RIA (2005–2009); Convenor, Workgroup on Theology in Higher Education (2005–present); Member, Program Committee CBA (2009–present).

Research Interests:

• Identification and exploration of redactional features in the Gospel of Mark as keys to the gospel's composition history and theology.
• Synoptic Problem
• Lectio Divina and Scripture in the Pastoral Life of the Church

Select Publications:

• "Lectio Divina: The Challenge in the Academic Setting" in Bernard Treacy, alii (eds), Reading Scripture for Living the Christian Life, [Doctrine and Life 59 (2009)], 32–46.
• "Identity, Collective Beliefs, and the Allocation of Resources." The Economic and Social Review 39 (2008): 39–54.
  Co-author with Thomas D. Jeitschko (Michigan State University) and Rowena A. Pecchenino (NUIM).
  
• From Most Ancient Sources: The Nature and Text-Critical Use of the Greek Old Testament Text of the Complutensian Polyglot Bible.
  Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis 215 (Fribourg: Academic Press and Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2006).


• “Towards the First Gospel: Redactional Development in the Gospel of Mark”
  Proceedings of the Irish Biblical Association 26 (2003): 66–91.


• Working Paper: “Having Life More Abundantly: Caring for the Body, Mind and Spirit”
  Co-author with Thomas D. Jeitschko and Rowena A. Pecchenino, Department of Economics, Michigan State University, 2005.
  
  
• "The Menu is not the Meal: the Scriptures as Food for our Lives." The Furrow 59 (2008): 92–98.
• "Let the Reader Understand: Recent Writing on Mark." The Furrow 60 (2009): 111–119.
• "SBL 2008 Boston." Intercom 39/1 ( February 2009): 28.
• "Walking Towards God: On Practicing Lectio Divina." Intercom 39/2 (March 2009): 26–27.
• "Walking Towards God: On Practicing Lectio Divina (2)." Intercom 39/3 (April 2009): 28–29.
• "Walking Towards God: On Practicing Lectio Divina (3)." Intercom 39/4 (May 2009):

Current Research:

• "Into the Desert: the Dynamics of Exclusion in the Gospel of Mark." Paper presented at the International Meeting of the CBA, Fordham University, New York, August 3, 2008.
• "Strict Twofold Repetitions in the Gospel of Mark.”
  A Research Report presented at the International Meeting of the CBA, Santa Clara, August 5, 2007.


• Research Report: “Fourfold Repetitions in the Gospel of Mark.” Presented to the Synoptic Gospels Seminar of the British New Testament Conference, Liverpool Hope University, September 2005

Courses

• Paul: Rabbi and Convert, Apostle and Pastor: Introducing the Writings, Theology and Spirituality of Paul the Apostle [SC 333 ~ Semester I]
• The Law and Jesus: Interpreting the Interplay between Jesus and the Law in the Writings of the New Testament [PG 410 ~ Semester I]
• The Theologian as Exegete [PG 413 ~ Semester II]
  

Links and Other Interests

• Lectio Divina Resources
• Lectio Divina Group Page (PDF File)
• The Text this Week
• New Jerusalem Bible Online
• Oremus Bible Browser
• The Aleppo Codex
• David Steindl-Rast OSB ~ The Heart of Gratefulness