In his first visit to Asia, His Eminence Giuseppe Cardinal Versaldi, 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.
The Cardinal was in the Philippines for the International Theological Symposium organised by Loyola School of Theology (LST) as part of its Golden Jubilee celebration. The theme of the symposium held on March 10 and 11 was “Leading and Serving through Theology: 50 Years After Vatican II”.
During his keynote address, Cardinal Versaldi echoed Gaudium et Spes’ challenge to better communicate the unchanging truths of the Christian faith in ways that are more relevant and understandable in the cultures of our time. Quoting Pope Francis, he 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 de Manila University, having been educated by Jesuits and having worked with them when he was at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
“I am particularly grateful to LST for its 50 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 Santo Tomas and De LaSalle University accompanied by LST President, Fr Jose Quilongquilong SJ. At Ateneo later that day, he attended 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 Ateneo President Fr Jett Villarin SJ. He capped his stay in the Philippines with a short visit to the Archdiocese of Cebu.
The rest of the programme for the first day of the symposium comprised an address by Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, Archbishop of Cotabato, who spoke about the “Call to New Evangelization: The Church in Asia in the Next 50 Years” and testimonies by Fr Catalino Arevalo SJ, representing priesthood; Sr Judette Gallares, RC, for consecrated life; and Nestor and Soccorro Villafania, representing lay and family life.
On the second day, the LST community, along with superiors of religious congregations and other guests continued reflecting on the input from the first 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?” Additional input was provided by three-minute reflections from six panellists in both of the two areas of focus – systematic theology, and spirituality and Scriptures. Compared to the first day’s attendance of more than 500 people, the second day had a restricted audience of 160 persons.
A second theological symposium is already being planned.
Related story: Loyola School of Theology celebrates Golden Jubilee
Photo caption: His Eminence Giuseppe Cardinal Versaldi, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education