Abstract:

This work studies the Christian theological evaluation of the other religions, befitting the contemporary context of religious pluralism, proposed by Jacques Dupuis, a Belgian Jesuit priest who spent 34 years of his life in India. The study analyzes Dupuis’ examination of the reality of religious pluralism as an effort seeking the positive meaning of religious traditions in God’s single overall plan of salvation. Furthermore, it considers Dupuis’ attempt to interpret and discover the import of the teaching of Vatican II and postconciliar magisterial statements for the future direction of both the Church’s teaching on other religions and its efforts to build better relationships. Thus Dupuis’ Christological and ecclesiological positions are evaluated as groundbreaking ideas that help affirm the salvific role of other religions and as the impetus that ignited a fruitful debate between Dupuis and the postconciliar magisterium surrounding the question of the role of other religions in God’s salvific plans.

Final Defense:

Board of Examiners: Fr. Jojo Fung, S.J., Ph.D. (Second Reader), Fr. Hartono Budi, S.J., Th.D., Fr. Antonio De Castro, S.J., S.T.L., E.H.D., and Dr. Victoria Parco

Proposal Defense:

Board of Examiners: Fr. Antonio de Castro,S.J., S.T.L. , E.H.D., Joaquin Yap,Jr., S.W., D.Phil., Fr. Manuel Francisco,S.J., S.T.D. (Adviser).