Anger: Public Study Day of Catholic Theology
11/11/2025The study day on 26 November will approach the topic of "anger" from theological, psychological and activist perspectives. It will also look at current emotional states in society and the church.
Anger, rage, fury - who hasn't experienced this? Anger is a state of extreme agitation. It is directed against other people, things, or oneself. Anger prevents us from thinking clearly. Anger narrows the view. In anger, people lose control and (re-)act out of a feeling of threat or distress.
However, anger also releases energy for action and gives us the strength to make changes.
This highly energetic emotion is the subject of a public study day (in German) organised by the Faculty of Catholic Theology at the University of Würzburg. The focus is on reflecting on emotional states in contemporary society and the church.
The study day is open to all interested parties. It will take place on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, from 9:15 am to 5:00 pm in Lecture Hall 318 and other rooms at the University on Sanderring.
Leibniz Prize Winner Michael Seewald
Michael Seewald, Professor of Dogmatics and History of Dogma at the University of Münster, will give the keynote lecture at 9.30 a.m. on the topic "Fides et Affectus. A Catholic perspective on feeling and faith". This year Seewald received the Leibniz Prize of the German Research Foundation, the most highly endowed German research prize.
Ten Workshops: Register in Good Time!
The study day includes ten workshops - if you want to take part, you should register in good time. The workshops offer not only theological approaches to the topic of "anger", but also approaches from activism, queer:feminism and neuropsychology.
The individual workshops are described on the study day website.
The organising team asks you to register by 19 November , stating your workshop preferences: theologie-studientag@uni-wuerzburg.de.
Panel Discussion: The Sense and Nonsense of Affects
A panel discussion will take place at the end of the day. On the topic of "Anger, rage and aggression - the sense and nonsense of affects":
- Professor Veronika Bachmann
(Catholic Theology, JMU Würzburg), - Professor Katja Bertsch
(Psychology, JMU Würzburg) and - Professor Johannes Schaller
(Psychology, President of the German University of Applied Sciences for Health and Sport, Berlin)
