A conference held on the 2nd September in Oxford honoured the legacy of Fr Charles Plater, who was Master of Campion Hall between 1915 and 1921

Plater read Greats at the University of Oxford, returning to Oxford in 1915 as Master of Campion Hall, a role he held until his death at the age of 45 in 1921. As Master he was noted for his organisational skills, leading the process to have the University’s constitution adapted to recognise the permanent status of private halls, and coordinating a highly-regarded series of public lectures run by the Catholic halls. He was also involved in establishing the Catholic Social Guild, providing people from working class backgrounds with the training and education needed to be leaders in their communities in the face of rapid social change. 

After his death his friends established Plater College in Oxford to enable working people or those who had had their education interrupted in some way, to have new educational opportunities. Following the closure of Plater College in 2005 its assets were used to establish the grant making charity, the Charles Plater Trust, continuing his legacy today by funding social justice projects across England and Wales.

The conference brought 110 theologians and charity activists together in dialogue to offer insights and solutions to some of the key fault-lines in society, considering issues including decent work, mental health, foodbanks, domestic violence, inclusion of disabled people, criminal justice, and climate change.

Bishop Richard Moth, chair of the Charles Plater Trust, welcomed conference delegates saying that on the 150th anniversary of Plater’s birth it was, “relevant and timely to discern how our Catholic social teaching tradition can contribute to a new vision for our society, where all belong and can flourish. I can’t think of a more fitting way to honour the memory of Fr Charles Plater SJ, who, were he alive today, would insist we address these challenges with vigour.”

Keynote speaker to the conference, Professor Anthony Reddie, the first Professor of Black Theology in Oxford University’s 900-year history spoke about the “congruence between Black theology and the older tradition of Catholic Social teaching. Both emphasise the necessity of solidarity and allyship, as we confront populist forms of White Christian nationalism that are threatening the civil life of many nations in Europe and beyond.” 

Welcoming delegates at the beginning of the day, Dr Sarah Apetrei, Acting Master of Campion Hall, said that she hoped that Charles Plater would be delighted to see how his concerns and work continue to inspire research and scholarship at the Hall today. 

Fellows of Campion Hall were among the academics who provided reflective papers for the conference. 

Dr Séverine Deneulin, Research Fellow in International Development, and Director of International Development at the Laudato Si’ Research Institute, focussed on the foundational principle for Catholic Social Teaching of human dignity in a seminar with founders of the Green Hub for Teens Project in Surrey, a project that uses the healing power of nature to support young people facing social, emotional, and mental health challenges.

Dr Austen Ivereigh, Fellow in Contemporary Church History, considered the social teaching legacy of Pope Leo XIII whose encyclical, Rerum Novarum published in 1891, was so influential for Charles Plater. Looking to what kind of encyclical might be expected from the recently elected Pope Leo XIV who has indicated a strong interest in addressing the key social questions of our time including developments in artificial intelligence and big data. 

Dr Ivereigh brought the day to a celebratory conclusion with the cutting of 150th anniversary cake, expressing delight that the conference had enabled Campion Hall to reconnect with the spirit and mission of Charles Plater and the hope that his legacy will find fresh expression for today’s world.

Learn more about The Charles Plater Trust here.

The portrait of Charles Plater featured in this article was painted by artist Margaret Fletcher. It depicts Plater as an Oxford Master of Arts and Master of Campion Hall.