The British Trust for Tantur was set up in July 1970 to support the work of the Tantur Institute for Ecumenical Studies in Jerusalem known as Tantur. The vision for Tantur was Pope Paul VI’s in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. The Vatican acquired the strategic site (between Jerusalem and Bethlehem situated now very close to the Separation Barrier) and the Pope requested the Catholic Universities of the USA to fund the building of a Centre. Tantur celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2023. Over the years it has received significant administrative and financial support from the Catholic University of Notre Dame in the United States. The British Trust has two of its Trustees serving on the Tantur International Ecumenical Advisory Board.
More information about Tantur and its staff, its history, accommodation and its courses can be found on the official Tantur web-site.
The British Trust supports students in training for ministry from all denominations to attend the Tantur month-long Summer School. It is also prepared to help fund individuals for Sabbaticals at Tantur or for shorter educational trips. It has in the past funded an occasional ecumenical study trip on the theme of Reconciliation. Within the Trust is a Woods=Gumbel Fund which can fully support an appropriately qualified scholar to undertake an extended period of study at Tantur while also contributing significantly to the academic life of Tantur. Dame Mary Tanner and Professor Judith Lieu are former Woods-Gumbel Scholars.
Trustees
The Trustees are Prof Judith Lieu (Chair); Revd Molly Booyt; Mrs. Penny Brackley, Bishop Jonathan Goodall; Revd Simon Goddard; Mr. Julian Hills (Treasurer); the Right Revd Bernard Longley; Mr. Benjamin Preece-Smith; the Revd Dr Janet Tollington; the Right Revd John Went; and the Very Revd John Witcombe.
Apply
Those in training for recognised forms of ministry within church bodies recognised by Churches Together in England or Churches Together in Britain and Ireland can download an application form from our website. You can also use this form to apply for grants for shorter periods of study at Tantur.