Faculty & Staff

Hero Background

Sr Dr Margaret Beirne RSC

Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies (New Testament)

Sr Dr Margaret Beirne RSC [Faculty & Staff > Part-Time Faculty > Sr Dr Margaret Beirne RSC]

Academic Classification

  • DTheol (MCD, 2000)

  • MEd (UNSW, 1986)

  • BD (MCD, 1984)

  • MA (BC, 1978)

  • BA (UNE, 1973)

  • MACE

Employment Status

  • Full Time

Subject Area

  • Biblical Studies

Current Research

  • New Testament Studies

  • Ignatian Spirituality

  • Synodality in the Catholic Church

  • Future of apostolic religious life in Australia

Associate Professor Sister Margaret Beirne is a Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies at St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College. After thirty years of teaching and administration in secondary education, Margaret went to École Biblique in Jerusalem in 1995 to begin research for a doctoral thesis on the Gospel according to John. On her return to Sydney, she began lecturing at the Centre for Christian Spirituality, Randwick, while continuing to work on her doctoral thesis. In 2000, she graduated with a Doctorate in Theology (DTheol) from Melbourne College of Divinity, and has published her thesis as a book, as well as chapters in books and articles in peer reviewed journals. In 2009, she joined the faculty of St Andrew’s where she continues to teach Biblical Studies course units. In 2014, Sr Margaret was elected to the General Council of her religious congregation, the Sisters of Charity where she served as the Congregational Vicar. On the completion of her six-year term, she returned to full-time ministry at St Andrew's. In December 2021, Sr Margaret was promoted to the level of Associate Professor by Sydney College of Divinity.

Publications

Chapters in Books

  • “Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis, A Personal Tribute,” in Vassilis Adrahtas et al (eds). Archbishop Stylianos, Pastor, Theologian, Poet. Sydney: St Andrew’s Orthodox Press, 2020, 125-132.

  • "Women Leadership in the Church: Foundations in the New Testament", in Towards Just Gender Relations. Rethinking the Role of Women in Church and Society. Gunter Prüller-Jagenteufel et al (eds.) Vienna: Vienna University Press, 2019, 91-101.

  • "Scripture in the Works of St Gregory the Theologian," in Cappadocian Legacy. Doru Costache & Philip Kariatlis (eds.), Sydney: St Andrew’s Orthodox Press, 2013, 275-288.

  • "Spiritual Enrichment Through Exegesis: St Gregory of Nyssa and the Scriptures," in Cappadocian Legacy. Doru Costache & Philip Kariatlis (eds.), Sydney: St Andrew’s Orthodox Press, 2013, 395-409.

  • “‘Old Habits Die Hard’: The Experience of Australian Women Religious in Australia in the Wake of Vatican II” in Vatican II. Reception and implementation in the Australian Church, Neil Ormerod et al (eds.) Mulgrave, Vic: Garratt Publishing, 2012, Two chapters, “The Birth of Jesus” and “The Death and Resurrection” in Biblica: The Bible Atlas. Sydney: Global Book Publishers, September, 2006.

Articles in Refereed Journals

  • "Pleasure and Pain in the Analysis of St Maximus, according to the Quaestiones ad Thalassium", Translation from the original French article by Christoph Schönborn, Phronema 40:1, 2025, 107-123.

  • "Acts 15. A Spirit-led Model for the Synod process", Gregorianum 105, 2(2024), 283-298.

  • ""St Irenaeus and the Scriptures", Phronema 34:2 (2019), 59-86.

  • "'Breathing with Both Lungs': Bringing East and West Together in Biblical Scholarship", Phronema 32:2 (2017), 31-48.

  • “St Athanasius and the Scriptures, Exemplified in His Letter to Marcellinus", Phronema 28:2 (2013), 89-106.

Book Reviews in Refereed Journals

  • Reasoner, Mark. Five Models of Scripture. Grand Rapids: Wm Eerdmans, 2021. Phronema 37(1), 2022, 117-124.

  • Coloe, Mary L. God dwells with us: Temple symbolism in the Fourth Gospel. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2001. ACR 3/79 (2002): 380-381.

  • Byrne, Brendan. The Hospitality of God. A Reading of Luke’s Gospel. Strathfield: St Paul’s, 2000. ACR 3/78 (2001): 382.

  • Pfitzner, Victor C. Jesus in God’s Gospel. Sydney: St Paul’s Publications, 1999. ACR 3/76 (2001): 374.Joseph Kudasiewicz, The Synoptic Gospels Today. trans. S. Wroblewski. New York: Society of St Paul, 1996. ACR 1/75 (1998): 125.

Conferences Attended

  • ACBA Conference, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, 3-5 July 2025

  • SAGOTC Theology Symposium. "Nicaea at 1700: A Council for the Ages?", 22-23 August 2025

  • ACBA Conference, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane. 4-6 July 2024

  • SAGOTC Theology Symposium. 'For the Life of the World: The Church's Missional Identity and Witness Today', 8-10 August 2023.

  • ACBA Conference, Mary MacKillop Centre, North Sydney. 6-8 July 2023.

Conference Papers

  • "The Mission of the Churches in Today's World", SAGOTC Theology Symposium. 'For the Life of the World: The Church's Missional Identity and Witness Today', 8-10 August 2023.

  • "Proposal to the ACBC to adopt the Revised New Jerusalem Bible as the new lectionary for Australia." ACBA Conference, Mary MacKillop Centre, North Sydney. 6-8 July 2023.

  • "Introduction and translation of the article by Christoph Schönborn, 'Plaisir et douleur dans l'Analyse de S. Maxime, d'après les Quaestiones ad Thalassium' SAGOTC Patristics Symposium. 'St Maximus the Confessor within 7th Century Christianity: Theology and History', 2-3 September 2022.

  • “'Christ is alive!' – Pope Francis’ Apostolic Invitation to Youth." SAGOTC Theology Symposium, 'The Importance of Christology in the 21st Century'. 20-21 September 2019.

  • "St Irenaeus, the Scriptures and the Contribution of Fr Antonio Orbe SJ", St Irenaeus: History, Theology and Significance. SAGOTC Patristics Symposium, 24-25 October 2018.

Governance and administrative roles within SCD

  • Sydney College of Divinity Council, 2000-2010

  • SCD Academic Board, 2010-2014. As chair of the SCD Postgraduate Studies Committee, and Discipline Coordinator of Biblical Studies, I served as a member of the Academic Board from 2010 to 2014.

  • SCD Discipline Coordinator, Biblical Studies, 2008 – 2014

  • SCD meetings of Discipline Coordinators for curriculum development and strategic planning. In 2012-2014, in collaboration with Biblical Studies faculty from member institutes, review, re-writing and implementation of the curriculum.

  • SCD Distance Education Committee, 2010-2012

Service to the church and/or wider community

Within the wider Catholic Church

  • 2023-present. Convenor

  • 2021-present. Trustee, St Vincent's Curran Foundation, Sydney.

  • 2023. At the invitation of Bishop Vincent Long van Nguyen, I was one of four 'periti' ('experts') at the Diocesan Synod of the Diocese of Parramatta, 13 -15 October,

  • 2002-2008, and again from 2014-2021 (as Congregational Vicar), I was elected to the General Council of the Sisters of Charity of Australia, a full-time role of governance and administration of our apostolic works in education, health, and pastoral care, including the St Vincent’s Hospitals in the eastern states and four secondary Colleges.

Participation in Academic Program Reviews

  • SCD Discipline Coordinator, Biblical Studies, 2008-2014

Role in the Organisation of Conferences, Lecture Series and Speakers

  • Australian Catholic Biblical Association Conference (ACBA), President; 2015 conference, prepared and led morning prayers and co-chaired joint session with Australian Catholic Theological Association.

  • Australian Catholic Biblical Association Conference, Vice-President; acting secretary, 2013 conference.

  • Organisation and facilitation of: SCD Introduction to Research Workshop, 5 March 2010 & SCD Research Seminars, 8 April, 11 May, 5 October 2011.

Church Occasional Lectures

  • "Upholding the Sacrament of Marriage in a Changing World", SAGOTC, 27 January 2016.

  • "Year of Consecrated Life" Symposium, invited speaker and panel member, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, 15 April 2015.

  • ‘Discernment in the Ignatian tradition’, Kairos program: Epping, 19 May and Ashfield 14 July 2010.

Media Commentaries

  • ABC TV, Channel 24, 27 April 2014, 5.30-8.30pm. Canonisation of St John XXIII and St John Paul II, St Peter’s Square, Vatican City. Member of commentary panel on the live telecast of the canonisation ceremony and Eucharist celebrated by Pope Francis.

  • ABC National radio, 14 June 2009, 11pm. Evenings with John Cleary. Interview: The Trinity, First broadcast, 14 June 2009; repeat broadcast, 26 May 2013.

  • ABC National radio, 29 September 2012, 10-11pm. Evenings with John Cleary. Panel interview: The Church since the Second Vatican Council.

  • ABC National radio, 9 August 2009, 11pm. Evenings with John Cleary. Interview: Ignatian Spirituality.

  • ABC national radio, 20 July 2008, 10-11pm. Evenings with John Cleary, panel member, World Youth Day Sydney.