Bridging the Gap: From 325 CE to 2026 Kenya

St. Paul’s University is proud to announce an upcoming landmark conference: "Theological Bridges: Nicaea in Conversation with Decolonial Theology and Contemporary Movements for Social Change." Scheduled for February 23rd to 28th, 2026, this event commemorates the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325 CE). While Nicaea was a historic event defining unity and navigating imperial power, this conference seeks to extend that global discussion to the urgent, localized, and postcolonial realities of today.

Why This Conference Matters Now

Held in Kenya—a fertile ground for examining the intersection of colonialism, inequality, and youth-led justice—this conference offers an interdisciplinary space to re-read Nicaea. We are moving beyond historical commemoration to active engagement. The conference theme links the ancient Nicene legacy to modern struggles, aiming to dismantle Eurocentric frameworks through decolonial theology. Specifically, we will engage with contemporary movements such as Kenya’s Gen Z-led Occupy movement, addressing systemic inequality and injustice. Our goal is to unearth liberative lessons for the church today, resisting imperial logics and speaking prophetically in contexts of oppression.

Conference Streams and Sub-Themes

We are inviting scholars, theologians, and activists to submit abstracts that align with the following streams:

• Stream 1: Nicaea, Empire, and Decolonial Theology

  Focus: Re-reading the Nicene legacy through the lens of empire, power, and decoloniality.

• Stream 2: Gender, Bodies, and Justice in Nicene Conversations

  Focus: Exploring how questions of gender, sexuality, and embodiment intersect with the Nicene tradition and contemporary struggles.

• Stream 3: Nicaea, Peace, and Social Transformation

  Focus: Interpreting the Nicene pursuit of unity in relation to contemporary movements for justice, democracy, and peace.

• Stream 4: Health, Ecology, and the Common Good

  Focus: Bridging Nicene theology with holistic visions of human and ecological flourishing.

Meet the Speakers

We are honored to host a distinguished panel of speakers who will guide these conversations:

• Rev. Dr. Dorcas Chebet

• Dr. Masiwa Gunda

• Rev. Dr. Stephanie Dietrich

• Rev. Dr. Julius Kithinji

• Prof. Ezra Chitando

Call for Abstracts: Important Details

We invite you to be part of this critical conversation. Please review the submission guidelines below:

• What to Submit: An abstract of 200 words and a short bio of 100 words.

• Submission Email: Send your documents to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• Submission Deadline: 1st December 2025.

• Feedback Date: 20th December 2025.

Event Logistics:

• Conference Dates: 23rd - 28th February 2026.

• Venue: St. Paul’s University, Kenya.

   

Join us as we build theological bridges that connect our history to a more just and equitable future.