Celebrating Dr. Battle

The Rev. Dr. Michael Battle arrived at GTS in 2015. His mentor and guide, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, ordained him a priest and was the subject of his doctoral work at Duke University as well as serving as a mentor to him throughout his life. Much of his professional life has been in theological education, working for seasons at Sewanee, Episcopal Divinity School, Virginia Theological Seminary, and Duke University's Divinity School.

Students have found him an inspiring teacher and a remarkable scholar. His best known book is his Reconciliation: the Ubuntu Theology of Desmond Tutu. Indeed, Dr. Battle persuaded the entire Episcopal Church of the importance of the process of Ubuntu. While at GTS, Dr. Battle has taught courses on the Spirituality of Restorative Justice, the Theology of Atonement as well as the seminary’s core ethics courses.

His pilgrimages to South Africa have been extremely transformative to both students, alumni and those outside the walls of the Episcopal church who have had the opportunity to travel with Dr. Battle. I have lost count of the people who spoke with warmth and affection about these pilgrimages. In these settings, the priest and the pastor are very much part of the work of leading these pilgrimages.

We are grateful for Dr. Battle's service to the Seminary.

The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and President of The General Theological Seminary