Matthias Reményi

Prof. Dr. Matthias Reményi serves as Professor of Fundamental Theology and Comparative Religious Studies at the Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, a position he has held since July 2017. Since October 2021, he has additionally served as Dean of the Catholic Theological Faculty at the university. Prior to his current appointment, he was Junior Professor of Systematic Theology at the Free University of Berlin from 2010 to 2017 and held a temporary professorship at the University of Siegen in 2015-2016.

His academic journey began with studies in Catholic Theology (1991-1998) and Education (1994-1999) at institutions in Freiburg. He earned his doctorate in theology in 2005 with summa cum laude distinction and received the Bernhard-Welte Prize for his dissertation. He completed his habilitation in 2016 at the University of Innsbruck, qualifying him for full professorship.

Reményi's scholarly work centers on Theological Anthropology, Eschatology, Thanatology, ethical questions surrounding death and dying, Ecclesiology, and the relationship between God and the world. His research often explores how theological concepts can address contemporary challenges, particularly regarding hope in difficult times, the meaning of death, and church authority. He has made significant contributions to understanding eschatological theology, particularly through his habilitation work 'Auferstehung denken' (Thinking Resurrection), which examines pathways, limits, and models for personal eschatological theory formation.

His recent publications reveal a consistent engagement with contemporary theological debates, including church reform through the Synodal Way in Germany, women's ordination, the relationship between theology and church authority (magisterium), and theological responses to the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. His 2024 book 'Damit wir das Leben haben' (So That We May Have Life) offers sermons of hope for challenging times, reflecting his ongoing concern with practical theological application.

Among his notable recognitions are the Bernhard-Welte Prize for his doctoral work and a promotion scholarship from Cusanuswerk, the Episcopal Study Support organization. His academic memberships include the European Society for Catholic Theology (German Section), the Working Group on Catholic Dogmatics and Fundamental Theology in German-speaking regions, and the Association of German-speaking philosophy lecturers in Catholic theology.

As Dean, Reményi oversees the academic and administrative functions of the Faculty of Catholic Theology, guiding its response to contemporary challenges while maintaining theological rigor. He has been particularly active in addressing the sexual abuse crisis within the Church, co-editing the 2019 volume 'Nicht ausweichen. Theologie angesichts der Missbrauchskrise' (Don't Evade: Theology in the Face of the Abuse Crisis). His leadership emphasizes the importance of theological engagement with modern societal issues while remaining rooted in Catholic tradition.

Reményi maintains an active presence in public theological discourse, frequently contributing to media discussions on religious topics, including interviews with major publications like Die Welt regarding afterlife beliefs and the meaning of resurrection. His work demonstrates a commitment to making theological insights accessible to broader audiences while maintaining scholarly depth.