Rev Jacques Cooke is to be presented with his Diploma in Christian Studies by the Right Reverend Mario Conti, Catholic Bishop of Aberdeen, in the Centre for Continuing Education at Beechwood Park, Inverness on Friday 22 May.
Jacques, who is the first student in the North of Scotland to qualify for this award, is a devout member of the local Catholic St Mary's Church, and has been deeply involved in the ecumenical field, especially since his ordination to the Deaconate twelve years ago.
It was this concern to understand what other people believed, and relate better to them, that led him to studying, mostly by ‘Distance Learning’, first with the Scottish Churches Open College (SCOC), and then on the programme offered by the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Aberdeen in association with the Divinity Faculties of Glasgow University and Aberdeen.
Jacques did not set out to study for the Diploma, but found himself so absorbed by the initial courses that he just kept going. He particularly enjoyed the Biblically based courses 1 Corinthians, and also "Reading the Old Testament". Although the courses involve study at home, students have discussion sessions either in small face-to-face local groups or by audio-conferenced link-ups. Jacques particularly appreciated this aspect of the courses. He says:
"I found it very fulfilling to appreciate other denominations' thinking. I really enjoyed meeting people, and having discussions with other students. Being the only Catholic in my group, so far as I am aware, gave an added dimension. It all deepened my faith because I had to read and think about things more."
One of the hallmarks of these courses is the introduction of new courses each year. In the autumn of 1998, this will be a course "Hymns seeking Understanding". This promises to be a fascinating exploration of what a hymn actually is, how attitudes to hymns have altered over the years, and the approaches of some modern hymn-writers.