Thomas V. Gourlay

BEd, MEd, GCLA (UNDA), MTS (JPII, Melb.)
National Director, Chaplaincy, Faith & Formation

  • Biography

    Tom Gourlay is the National Director of Chaplaincy and Faith Formation, and a lecturer and PhD candidate in Theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia.

    Tom graduated in 2017 with a Masters of Theological Studies from The John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Studies in Melbourne, Victoria with a thesis titled, ‘The Catholic Academy and the Sanctified Mind: The Implications of David L. Schindler’s Critique of Liberal Metaphysics for the Ethos of Catholic Academies.‘ He also holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in education and a Graduate Certificate in Liberal Arts from the University of Notre Dame Australia. Prior to his work in Chaplaincy, Tom worked as a classroom teacher and faculty head of Religious Education in Catholic schools in Western Australia.

    Tom is an Associated Scholar at the Hildebrand Project, and in 2012 became the co-founder of the Christopher Dawson Society for Philosophy and Culture (Inc.), serving as the society’s inaugural president, a position he continues to hold.

    http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2546-6056

  • Teaching Areas

    • Introduction to Theology
    • Christology
    • Liturgy and Sacrament
    • Foundations of Wisdom

  • Research Expertise and Supervision

    Fundamental Theology, Nature and Grace, Faith and Reason, Faith and Culture, Catholic Education, Religious Education, Luigi Giussani, Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI.

  • Books

    1968 - Culture and Counterculture: A Catholic Critique, by Thomas V. Gourlay, and Daniel Matthys (eds).  Wipf & Stock, Pickwick Publishing (2020)

    Reviewed: Daniel, Michael E. The Australasian Catholic Record; Vol. 99, Iss. 1, (Jan 2022): 123-124.

  • Book Chapters

    • Il senso religioso come Praeparatio Fidei, in Il Cristianesimo come Avvenimento: Saggi sul pensiero teologico di Luigi Giussani. Edited by Carmine Di Martino (BUR: Milano, 2022), pp. 63-75.
    • Rethinking the Imago Dei: Reason and Relation, in Theological Anthropology at the Beginning of the Third Millennium. Edited by Kevin Wagner, M. Isabell Naumann, and Peter John McGregor. Wipf & Stock Publishing, (2022).
    • A Curran Affair: The Triumph of Anglo-American Liberalism in the Catholic Academy, in1968 - Culture and Counterculture: A Catholic Critique. Edited by Thomas V. Gourlay and Daniel Matthys. Wipf & Stock Publishing, (2020).
    • Catholic Inc.: On the Mechanised, Managerial Body of Christ, in Ecclesiology at the Beginning of the Third Millennium. Edited by Kevin Wagner, M. Isabell Naumann, Peter John McGregor, and Paul Morrissey. Wipf & Stock Publishing, (2019).
    • Revelation and the Ideological Usurpation of Truth, in, ‘Dangerous Ideas…’ The Proceedings from the Christopher Dawson Center for Cultural Studies Colloquia 2015-2016. Edited by Michael Stokes and David Daintree. Conor Court Publishing, (2016).

  • Journal Articles and Proceedings

    Journal Articles and Proceedings

    • “Grounding Identity and Mission in Catholic Universities: A Relational Approach.” Irish Theological Quarterly (forthcoming, Vol. 88, Iss. 3).
    • “Gift of Unity: The Spirituality of Communion of Chiara Lubich and Luigi Giussani”, The Downside Review Vol.140, Iss. 4 pp. 161-177. https://doi.org/10.1177/00125806221132919
    • "Healing the Fragmented Intellect: Relational Ontology as a Corrective to Truncated Rationality of Modernity " Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture vol.25, issue 3 pp. 83-108. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/858233
    • "On the Theological Basis of Relational Ontology", Heythrop Journal vol. 63, issue 2 pp. 210-222. https://doi.org/10.1111/heyj.13982
    • "Pluralism in Theology According to Rahner and Ratzinger: Symphony or Cacophony". Heythrop Journal vol. 62, issue 1. https://doi.org/10.1111/heyj.13781
    • “The Nature of Nature: Concerning the Efficacy of Natural Law Reasoning”, New Blackfriars Review vol. 100, issue 1089. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nbfr.12354
    • “Receiving the Gift: A Way of Life Open To Reality”, Homiletic and Pastoral Review (2017). http://www.hprweb.com/2017/12/receiving-the-gift/
    • “Theological Foundations of Pastoral Care in Catholic Universities,”eJournal of Catholic Education in Australasia: Vol. 3 : Iss. 1 , Article 6. https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1037&context=ecea
    • “Nature, Grace, and Catholic engagement in contemporary cultural debate,” New Blackfriars Review vol. 100, issue 1085. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nbfr.12236
    • “The Nuptial Character of the Relationship between Faith and Reason in the thought of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI”, Heythrop Journal, Vol. 59, Issue 2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/heyj.12308
    • “The Merciful Call to Holiness: Addressing the Dualism Between Mercy and Doctrine in Cardinal Kasper’s Proposal”, Homiletic and Pastoral Review (2015). http://www.hprweb.com/2015/08/the-merciful-call-to-holiness/
    • “The Understanding of Revelation in “Dei Verbum” and the Response of Faith.” Homiletic and Pastoral Review (2014). http://www.hprweb.com/2014/06/the-understanding-of-revelation-in-dei-verbum-and-the-response-of-faith/

    Book Reviews:

    • Christopher Dawson: A Cultural Mind in the Age of the Great War., Joseph T. Stuart. Catholic University of America Press: Washington, D.C., 2022. Pp. 454. Review in Homiletic and Pastoral Review https://www.hprweb.com/2023/02/book-reviews-march-2023/#dawson
    • The Foundations of Nature: Metaphysics of Gift for an Integral Ecological Ethic, Taylor, Michael Dominic, Wipf & Stock, 2020 (ISBN 978-1-725-26497-7), xxiv + 258 pp., pb $34 Reviews in Religion and Theology: Vol. 29, Iss. 1-2 January/April 2022, pp. 87-89. https://doi.org/10.1111/rirt.14103
    • Theology: Mythos or Logos?—A Dialogue on Faith, Reason, and History, John Médaille and Thomas Stork, Angelico Press, 2020 (ISBN 978-1-62138-663-6), 178 pp., pb $16.95. Reviews in Religion and Theology: Vol. 28, Iss. , July 2021, pp. 306-307. https://doi.org/10.1111/rirt.14031
    • The Love That Is God: An Invitation to Christian Faith, Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt, Eerdmans, 2020 (ISBN 978-0-8028-7795-6), 152 pp., pb $18.99. Reviews in Religion and Theology: Vol. 28, Iss. 2, April 2021, pp. 143-145. https://doi.org/10.1111/rirt.13968
    • The Spark of Faith: Understanding the Power of Reaching Out To God. By Wojciech Giertych O.P. Irondale, AL: EWTN Publishing, 2018. 204 pages. Homiletic and Pastoral Review. October 2020. https://www.hprweb.com/2020/10/book-reviews-october-2020/#faith
    • To Stir a Restless Heart: Thomas Aquinas and Henri de Lubac on Nature, Grace, and the Desire for God, Jacob W. Wood, The Catholic University of America Press, 2019 (ISBN 978‐0‐8132‐3183‐9), xviii + 476 pp., hb $65. Reviews in Religion and Theology: Vol. 27, Iss. 3, July 2020, pp. 432-434. https://doi.org/10.1111/rirt.13871
    • The Universe We Think In, by James V. Schall, The Catholic University of America Press, 2018 (ISBN 97808132‐2975‐1), xii + 212 pp., pb $24.99. Reviews in Religion and Theology, Vol. 27, Iss. 2, April 2020, pp. 285-287. https://doi.org/10.1111/rirt.13813
    • Educating in Christ: A Practical Handbook for Developing the Catholic Faith from Childhood to Adolescence—for Parents, Teachers, Catechists and School Administrators. By Gerard O’Shea Brooklyn, NY: Angelico Press (2018) 290 pages; $17.95 USD ISBN: 978-1-62138-327-7. Review in the Journal of Catholic Education: https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/ce/vol22/iss2/7/
    • God and Eros: The Ethos of the Nuptial Mystery. By Colin Paterson and Conor Sweeney, eds., Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2015. Pp. 268. Price $32.00 USD. Review in Claritas: A Journal of Dialogue and Culture: https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/claritas/vol7/iss1/14/
    • Torn Asunder: Children, the Myth of the Good Divorce, and the Recovery of Origins. By Margaret Harper McCarthy, ed., Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2017 (ISBN 978-0-8028-7205-0), viii + 316 pp., $34.00. Reviewed in Homiletic and Pastoral Review http://www.hprweb.com/2018/02/late-winter-book-reviews/
    • Catholic Theology. By Tracey Rowland. Pp. 256, London, T&T Clark, 2017, $20.89. ISBN 978-0567034380. Review in The Heythrop Journal. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/heyj.12894/full
    • Liturgy and Personality. By Dietrich von Hildebrand. Steubenville, OH: Hildebrand Press, 2016. Pp. 160. US$17.99. ISBN 9781939773005. Review in the Downside Review. http://journals.sagepub.com/toc/tdr/current
    • Mystery and Sacrament of Love: A Theology of Marriage and the Family for the New Evangelization, by Cardinal Marc Ouellet. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2015 (ISBN 978-0-802-87334-7), xiv + 346 pp., $35.00. Review in Homiletic and Pastoral Review.  http://www.hprweb.com/2017/06/early-summer-reading/

  • Conference Papers

    • Christianity as an Event: The Theological Thought of Luigi Giussani. Invited panellist, The Meeting, Rimini, Italy 21 August 2022. https://youtu.be/H4y1qlMIDx0
    • Gift of Unity: The Spirituality of Communion in Luigi Giussani and Chiara Lubich. Presented at the Pneumatology at the beginning of the Third Millennium conference, 22-23 July, 2022 at the University of Notre Dame Australia's Sydney campus.
    • Homo Faber or Homo Quaerens?: Between Secular and Sanctified Reason. Presented at the Theological Anthroplogy at the beginning of the Third Millennium conference, 14-15 February 2020 at the University of Notre Dame Australia's Sydney campus.
    • A Curran Affair: The Triumph of the Liberal Model of the Academy in Catholic Higher Education. Presented at the '1968: Five Decades On' conference, 12-14 July 2018, held at the University of Notre Dame Australia Fremantle Campus.
    • Catholic Inc.: On the Mechanised, Managerial Body of Christ. Presented at the Ecclesiology at the beginning of the Third Millennium conference, 23-24 February 2018 at the University of Notre Dame Australia's Sydney campus.
    • Receiving the Gift: A Way of Life Open to Reality. Presented at the National Billings Ovulation Method Teachers' Weekend, Perth Western Australia. 7-9 May 2017.
    • Theological Foundations of Pastoral Care at a Catholic University. Presented at the Australia and New Zealand Student Services Association (ANZSSA) and ISANA International Education Association - 13th WA State Conference: Sharing Good Practice, 2017.
    • Revelation and the Ideological Usurpation of Truth. Presented at the Christopher Dawson Centre for Cultural Studies (Hobart) Colloquium, ‘Ideas dangerous to a secular world’, 2016.

  • Original Creative Works

    Resource books for the Perth Catholic Archdiocesan Safeguarding Office:

    • "Love, Sex, & Relationships: Basic Essentials for Catholic Teens", by Andrea Musulin, and Tom Gourlay (2018).
    • "The Power of Freedom: A young adult's guide to physical, emotional and spiritual freedom and safety", by Barbara Blayney and Tom Gourlay (2019).

  • Curated Exhibitions or Events

    • International Conference: 1968: Five Decades On. 12-14 July 2018. Hosted at the University of Notre Dame Australia. See, www.dawsonsociety.org.au
    • Speakers Forum Series – Through the Christopher Dawson Society for Philosophy and Culture I have curated over 40 public lectures on a wide variety of topics: philosophical, theological, and cultural. See www.dawsonsociety.org.au
    • Wounded by Beauty #2 - Renowned tenor Aldo Di Toro sings Neapolitan Love Songs, accompanied by pianist Tommaso Pollio with commentary from Associate Prof. John Kinder FAHA OSI (UWA).
    • Wounded by Beauty #1 - Renowned pianist Raymond Yong plays Chopin’s ‘Raindrop’ prelude, and other pieces. Accompanying lecture by Associate Prof. John Kinder FAHA OSI (UWA).

  • In the Media

  • Community Engagement

    • President, The Christopher Dawson Society for Philosophy and Culture (Inc.) (2012 – present)
    • Board member, Beaconsfield Primary School (2022 - Present)
    • Chair, Archdiocesan Committee of Management, Centre for Life, Marriage, and Family (Dec 2018 – 2022
    • Chair, Archdiocesan Committee of Management, Respect Life Office (June 2016 – Dec 2018)
    • Member Archdiocesan Advisory Board, Caritas Australia (Jan 2016 – present)
    • Chair/Secretary, Pregnancy Assistance (Inc.) (Sep 2013 – Sep 2015)
    • Member, Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries Perth (Inc.) Governing Board (Sep 2018 – Present)
    • Member, Workshops Committee, Australian Catholic Youth Festival, Perth WA (2019).
    • Managing Editor, Macrina Magazine (September 2019 – October 2021)
    • Member, Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders Network, (2014 – Present)
    • Member, Perth Catholic Archdiocese Year of Youth Committee (2017)
    • Speaking at a variety of Catholic parish formation activities, youth gatherings including the Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2019.
    • Member, Vice Chancellor’s Committee for CommUNITY and Inclusion. (2018-2019)

  • Recorded or Rendered Works

    Podcast interviews:

    • “This Catholic Life” w/ Peter Holmes (multiple episodes);
    • “The Episcopal Podcast” w/ Bishop Richard Umbers (multiple episodes).

  • Professional Affiliations

    • 2021 – Present:  Associated Scholar – Dietrich von Hildebrand Legacy Project
      https://hildebrandp1.wpengine.com/about/#member-1170-info
    • 2021 – Present: Australian Catholic Theological Association
    • WACOT/Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRB)
    • Membership Number: 32004550
    • Accreditation for Leadership of the Religious Education Learning Area in Catholic Schools (Catholic Education Western Australia)

  • Awards

    • 2018 University Letter of Commendation (Teaching)
    • 2015 Cardinal Pell Prize: Highest Achieving Student. John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family, Melbourne.