The “Monastic Mountain” in the Parish: Investigations in the Theology of Martin Thornton
In his Pastoral Theology: A Reorientation, Thornton (d. 1986) put forward his “Remnant Thesis,” writing, “The Remnant, far from being an amputated segment—the clique detached from the whole—is at the centre of the parochial organism and of power extending beyond it.” He then goes on to say that as “we survey the history of the Church from the fifth century to the sixteenth century this monastic mountain can hardly be overlooked: this fact either condemns its whole structure during three parts of its history, or it goes a long way to justify the Remnant hypothesis.” Though Thornton’s overall theological vision is rich and nuanced, at many points it is dependent on monasticism and monastic theology.
The 2026 Breck Conference seeks to investigate Thornton’s pastoral and parochial theology in order to see how he integrated Christian monasticism into his thinking and how that thinking can help to revitalize the Church and her parishes today.
More information at nashotah.edu/breck
Questions?
Contact Fr. Greg Peters with questions about the Breck Conference at gpeters@nashotah.edu.
Contact Joy Wint with questions about on-campus accommodations at jwint@nashotah.edu.