Abstract:

“Remembering the past is inherent in the birth and growth of the local church, and awareness of history is indispensable for liberation. Johann Baptist Metz makes sense of this in the light of ‘Dangerous Memory.’ To truly experience and understand what it means to be a Christian, it is always necessary to recognize a definite historical situation. In this light, the researcher explores the past Passionist Mission and its significance in the growth of the local church of Marbel. The way the missionaries responded to the plight of the poor and neglected, particularly the Indigenous Peoples, presents a model of a church of compassion.

These missionaries responded deliberately when confronted with suffering within their challenging and perilous environment. Despite social, economic and political tensions, they remained steadfast in keeping the memory of Christ and introducing a God who suffers with us. It is a memory of Jesus’ liberating compassion that permeates our history in a creative yet disruptive manner.

While such tensions persist to this day, Passionist spirituality endures, continuing to guide the local church of Marbel toward being a Church of compassion with a missionary spirit. This study highlights the need for the local church of Marbel to be aware of its historical situation and to recall the memory of Christ, whose compassionate love stands as a ‘dangerous memory,’ urging us to love even more, practice our faith actively, and maintain hope in a compassionate God.”

Final Defense:

Board of Examiners:

1. Br. Joaquin Yap, Jr., S.W., D.Phil. (Second Reader/Principal Examiner)
2. Emmanuel de Guzman, Ph.D.
3. Fr. Jojo Fung, S.J., Ph.D. (joining online)

Proposal Defense:

Board of Examiners: Fr. Rowan Rebustillo, S.T.D., Ph.D. (Adviser), Bro, Joaquin Yap, Jr., S.W., D.Phil., Fr. James Kroeger, M.M., D.Miss