The Theology and Ministry Program of the School of Humanities invites you to the oral defense of the Ph.D. Dissertation entitled “PASTORAL ACCOMPANIMENT IN THE WORKPLACE IN LIGHT OF SECULARITY OF THE LAITY, THEOLOGY OF WORK, AND POPE FRANCIS’ SPIRITUALITY OF ACCOMPANIMENT” by KIRBY S. LLABAN on 5 November 2024, Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. at the Tipanan ni San Ignacio, DLC 201, 2/F Dela Costa Bldg., Loyola School of Theology. The Board of Examiners is composed of Fr. Oliver Dy, S.J., S.T.D., Ph.D. (Adviser), Fr. Hartono Budi, S.J., Th.D. (Second Reader/Principal Examiner), Rachel Joyce Marie Sanchez, Ph.D., Patricia Lambino, Ph.D., and Fr. Marcel Uwineza, S.J., S.T.L., M.B.A., Ph.D. The defense is being held in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Theology concentrating in the field of Systematic-Dogmatic Theology. It is open to the public.
Abstract: The laity, embedded in the world, especially in workplaces, have the greatest opportunity for evangelization and societal renewal. However, the Church has made minimal progress to spread the Gospel in secular institutions. Though several past initiatives existed, efforts by the clergy and lay groups often fade and prove unsustainable.
This dissertation examines how evangelization can thrive in secular environments like the workplace. The research includes literature-based research and semi-structured interviews with individuals who have successfully modeled Pastoral Accompaniment in the Workplace. The study is grounded in literature on the Secularity of the Laity, the Theology of Work, and Pope Francis’ Spirituality of Accompaniment to support the method of Pastoral Accompaniment in this context.
The semi-structured interviews identified five models of Pastoral Accompaniment in the Workplace: (1) Top-down Model, where evangelization is led by the top leader; (2) One-to-one Model, where individuals assist others in their faith journey; (3) Prayer Group Model, where Charismatic groups offer pastoral support through prayer meetings and cell groups; (4) Program Model, where companies implement spiritual wellness programs supported by religious groups; and (5) Fellowship Model, where Catholics gather informally for food, prayer, and inspiration.
The theological foundations and pastoral applications are integrated, contextualizing corporate expressions such as spiritual wellness within a theology of work and demonstrating how the models of Pastoral Accompaniment in the Workplace align with Pope Francis’ Spirituality of Accompaniment. Key factors for sustaining Pastoral Accompaniment in the Workplace are also identified.
These results may contribute to the fields of Ecclesiology, Missiology, Evangelization, and Pastoral Ministry, as the study applies insights about the laity to the mission field of the workplace through the lens of Pastoral Accompaniment.
