Father Reginald Mary Chua: From Doubt to Faith

In this episode of the Buddhaland Podcast, Father Reginald Mary Chua shares his journey from doubt to faith, exploring the complexities of priesthood, the importance of interfaith dialogue, and the relevance of philosophy in modern life. He reflects on his inspirations from Catholic saints, the significance of contemplative practices, and the shared truths across different religions. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentional space to listen to the divine and the role of philosophy in questioning assumptions about technology and spirituality.

Fr Reginald Mary Chua is a Chinese-Australian Catholic priest from the Dominican Order. Reginald’s work sits at the meeting point of philosophy, contemplative practice, and the search for meaning. In recent years he has accompanied student communities as a university chaplain, supporting young adults as they navigate questions of purpose and wellbeing. Now based at Blackfriars in Oxford, he is completing doctoral research on the nature of being and identity in a rapidly changing world. He has interests in Buddhist-Christian dialogue and interfaith conversations, reading novels, and listening to 90s music. 

• Father Reginald’s journey to priesthood was marked by doubt and questioning.
• A retreat in 2011 was a turning point in his faith journey.
• Relationships, including with God, require a leap of faith.
• Philosophy helps in questioning assumptions about life and technology.
• Religion and philosophy should work together to avoid fundamentalism.
• The significance of signs in religious life.
• Interfaith dialogue can reveal common ground between different faiths.
• Contemplative practices like retreats can enhance well-being.
• The search for truth is a shared goal across religions.
• Father Reginald emphasizes the importance of listening to the divine.

00:00 Introduction to Father Reginald
01:08 The Journey to Priesthood
07:20 Faith and Doubt: A Personal Reflection
14:01 Formation and Training of a Priest
19:32 Inspirations from Catholic Saints
25:23 Interfaith Dialogue: Exploring Buddhism
31:06 Philosophy’s Relevance in Modern Life
38:16 Navigating Identity as a Priest
50:11 Shared Truths Across Religions
55:29 Contemplative Practices for Well-Being