In his first visit to Asia, His Eminence Giuseppe Cardinal Versaldi DD, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, enjoined educators, theologians, and religious men and women to become credible witnesses of Church teaching, noting that sanctity is the “more convincing way” to attract others to the faith.
Delivering his keynote address at LST’s International Theological Symposium in the morning of March 10, 2016 at Ateneo de Manila’s Henry Lee Irwin Theater, Cardinal Versaldi echoed Gaudium et Spes’ challenge regarding the need to better communicate the unchanging truths of the Christian faith in ways that are more relevant and understandable to the cultures of our time. Quoting Pope Francis, he also said that for the Church to transmit the abiding newness of the message of God’s saving love for all people, it must always begin with the essential core of the Gospel.
The Cardinal confessed feeling at home in Ateneo, having been educated by and having worked with Jesuits when he was at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. The two-day symposium, organized as part of the Golden Jubilee celebration of LST, had the theme, “Leading and Serving through Theology: 50 Years After Vatican II”.
“I am particularly grateful to LST for its fifty years of work in research and in teaching in this important and promising area of the world, following the Ignatian pioneering spirit, and in fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church, which is now committed to the new evangelization. On the part of the Congregation that I guide and serve, I want to offer the assurance of our readiness to work with you in your apostolic commitment, and to provide what is useful for guaranteeing the communion and the richness of the universal Church, to whose guidance the Lord always places Shepherds.”
Upon his arrival a day before the symposium, the Cardinal visited the University of Sto. Tomas and De La Salle University accompanied by Fr. Jose Quilongquilong, SJ, President of LST. His arrival in Ateneo later that day was marked by a liturgical reception at the Church of the Gesu’ where he was welcomed to the Diocese of Cubao by Most Rev. Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, DD, and to the campus by Father President Jett Villarin, SJ. He capped his stay in the Philippines with a short visit to the Archdiocese of Cebu.
Also featured on the first day of the symposium was a talk in the afternoon by Orlando Cardinal Quevedo DD, Archbishop of Cotabato, entitled “Call to New Evangelization: The Church in Asia in the Next 50 Years”. Following the two speakers were three powerful testimonials by Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ, representing priesthood, Sr. Judette Gallares, RC, for consecrated life, and Nestor and Socorro Villafania, representing lay and family life.
On the second day, the symposium was held in LST’s Jaime Cardinal Sin Center, where the LST community, along with superiors of religious congregations and other guests, continued reflecting on the inputs from the preceding day. Designed as theological conversations, the discussions were in response to the question, “How do we lead and serve through theology in the changing Asian contexts?” The day’s event began with a three-minute discussion from each of six panelists, followed by time for the panelists to interact with each other and with the audience. A second round of discussions took place afterwards.
Focusing on Systematic Theology, the first group consisted of panelists Fr. Jose Mario C. Francisco, S.J. (Loyola School of Theology); Fr. Jojo M. Fung, S.J. (East Asian Pastoral Institute); Fr. Albertus Bagus Laksana, S.J. (Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta); Dr. Patricia P. Lambino (Ateneo de Manila University Theology Department); Mr. Michael Liberatore (Ateneo de Manila University Theology Department); and Fr. Quirico T. Pedregosa, Jr. O.P. (University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary), with Dr. Jake Yap (LST) as moderator.
Focusing on Spirituality and Scriptures, Fr. Samuel H. Canilang, C.M.F. (Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia); Fr. Arthur F. Leger, S.J. (East Asian Pastoral Institute); Dr. Melba P. Maggay (Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture); Dr. Carmen Scheuerman (Union Theological Seminary, Cavite); Sr. Niceta M. Vargas, O.S.A. (Loyola School of Theology), and Dr. Federico G. Villanueva, Jr. (Loyola School of Theology) comprised the second panel, with Fr. Arnel Aquino, SJ (LST), as moderator. Compared to the first day’s attendance of over 500 hundred, the second day had a more restricted audience of 160 persons.
At the end of the symposium, it was announced that a second theological symposium within a year is already being planned.
– Harvey Mateo SJ
