One of our members,  theologian Consoeur Dr Tracey Rowland has won the prestigious Ratzinger Prize, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of theology”.

Established by Pope Benedict in 2010, it recognises those who perform promising scholarly research relating to or expounding upon his work. The Prize is awarded to two individuals each year regardless of their denomination and comes with A$125,000 in prize money.

Dr Rowland was named alongside French philosopher Jean-Luc Marion as this year’s winners of the prize.

Dr Rowland who is a professor at the University of Notre Dame Australia, is the first Australian and only the third woman to receive the award. She is an expert on Pope Benedict XVI, has studied the relationship between theology and culture in the 20th century and is a member of the International Theological Commission.

An award ceremony will take place on November 14 at the Vatican in the presence of Pope Francis, but it is not clear if the winners will be able to attend.