Dr Christopher Evan Longhurst KSO

I am a New Zealand-based lay theologian, aesthete, museums educator, survivor advocate, and public voice for justice, accountability, and reform within faith-based institutions. My work brings together theology, art, ethics, and lived experience, with a particular focus on supporting survivors of abuse and promoting transparency in institutional responses.

I hold a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. My academic work spans theological aesthetics, interreligious dialogue, and the intersection of faith and culture. I have taught and contributed to tertiary education in New Zealand and internationally, and have published on topics including religion and art, interfaith dialogue, and theology in pluralistic societies.

Alongside my academic work, I am a leading advocate for survivors of clergy and institutional abuse. I am associated with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP Aotearoa New Zealand), where I have helped support survivors, amplify their voices, and call for meaningful reform. My advocacy has included engagement with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, contributing to national efforts to address historical abuse and improve systems of care and accountability.

My work is grounded in a commitment to justice, dignity, and truth. I have been recognised for bridging academic theology with real-world concerns, advocating for a Church and society that prioritise the protection of the vulnerable and the integrity of their institutions.

In recognition of my service to the community, I was appointed a Companion of the King’s Service Order in June 2025.