The Theology and Ministry Program (TMP-LST) of the School of Humanities congratulates Fr. Ambrosio Flores, S.J., for the selection of his Master of Arts in Theological Studies Thesis entitled, “TOWARDS ‘INCULTURATING’ THEOLOGY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UMAJAMNENS OF BUKIDNON IN THE LIGHT OF THE FABC VISION OF INCULTURATION“ as one of the co-recipients of the Dr. Manuel B. Dy Best Thesis Prize in the School of Humanities, Ateneo de Manila University. Fr. James Kroeger, M.M., D.Miss. served as Thesis Adviser.
The awarding ceremony will be held on October 22, 2018, Monday, at 5:00 p.m., at the NGF Conference Room, De La Costa Hall, Ateneo de Manila University. As a co-winner, Fr. Bros will deliver a brief talk based on his thesis during the awarding ceremonies.
The Theology and Ministry Program also offers other civil degree programs, namely, Master in Pastoral Ministry, Master in Spirituality and Retreat-Directing, Master in Family Ministry and Counseling, Doctor of Philosophy in Theology and Doctor of Ministry.
Abstract: Pope Francis’ direct apology in Bolivia in July 2015 for the Church’s complicity in the suppression of the local culture and the oppression of the indigenous peoples of Latin America during the age of discoveries provides a compelling context for the Church’s work of evangelization among the indigenous peoples today. The thesis builds on Pope Francis’ apology and exhortation by exploring the Christianity-culture encounters in the Church’s past and present work of evangelization. The future of evangelization particularly in Asia, as envisioned by the Federation Asian Bishops’ Conferences, is presented as its vision of inculturation.
Much has been written and discussed about the work of inculturation in Asia. The challenge, however, is on how the vision can be put into practice in a specific setting. What steps need to be taken to realize this vision? How can these documents be translated into action? By providing a specific face to the Indigenous Peoples in the Umajamnẻns of Bukidnon, Philippines, this paper provides a three-step process of doing theology-in-context which is a fundamental facet in the work of inculturation.
