Promoting Interreligious Dialogue
In an interview with UCA News at the recent Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference symposium on Religious Life, held in Hua Hin, Thailand, Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing S.J.
EATEP on its 5th Program
The fifth East Asia Theological Encounter Program (EATEP) will be held at The Seven Fountains Spirituality Center in Chiangmai, Thailand, on April 16 – May 19, 2010. Scholastics in theology should ask their rectors and/or provincials for permission to attend. Rectors and formation directors should decide who might profit from this program. For further information see the website http://freewebs.com/johnjshea.
A Guide to Buddhist Temples in China
Fr Christian Cochini‘s (CHN) Guide to Buddhist Temples of China – History and Cultural heritage of the main monasteries of the Han nationality, published in Macau by the Macau Ricci Institute, has been recently released. This 528-page English edition of the Guide to Buddhist Temples of China, an exceptional translation of a French edition first published last year, is an ambitious work. Yet this remarkably compact and clearly edited book offers everything a traveller may need for an encounter with Chinese Buddhism. In spite of the seemingly vast amounts of information, Fr Cochini has thoughtfully created an intimate, dynamic portrait of Chinese Buddhism and life among the major monasteries of the Han nationality, from its foundation to the present day.
Videos on Jesus and Buddha
The Conference Coordinator for Buddhist-Christian Dialogue, Fr Cyril Veliath (JPN), has been quite busy with video production. Here are the links to his lecture series on Buddhism and Christianity. Each lecture is about 8 – 10 minutes in duration. Fr Veliath gave much effort to keep them as simple and interesting as possible so that many may profit from these lectures.
Jesuits among Muslims in Asia
The JCEAO Consultation on Islam, held in Yogyakarta, July 21-22, gathered six Jesuits active in the study of Islam and engaged in solidarity actions with Muslims: Heru Prakosa and Greg Soetomo (Indonesia Province) hosted, Aloysius Mowe (Malaysia), Albert Alejo and Rene Oliveros (Philippines), Dan Madigan (Chair in Islamic Studies at Georgetown U) and Mark Raper, President of JCEAO.
The consultation proposed to build a network that will help Jesuits and companions of Asia Pacific gain a better understanding for Muslims and of the role of Islam in our region. Other goals include: engaging in dialogue with Muslims in ways that enhance our own faith and challenge our theological understanding; gaining greater understanding of religious fundamentalism and its strength in Asia Pacific; and supporting solidarity with Muslim brothers and sisters in Asia Pacific on behalf of human rights, peace and good governance.
Videos on Dialogue with other religions
From Georgetown University’s Woodstock Theological Centre, here is a short excerpt of a speech by Fr Jesuit Aloysius Mowe (MAS) on “Muslims and Christians: Where do we stand?”. He discusses the view that there are fundamental similarities in both faiths, but “the fact is that, there are many issues that do divide us Christians and Muslims, there are causes for concern”.
Christian-Buddhism Dialogue New Web Site
Fr Cyril Veliath (JPN) has created a new web site on Buddhist-Christian Dialogue. The presentation is much better than the previous site and you will now find it very easy to use the links. Fr Veliath will be very grateful if you can send him your latest news, photographs, articles, or any other useful information that can be added to the site. He also welcomes information about other Jesuits who are working in this apostolate.
Jesuit Scholar Appointed Consultor To Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
TAIPEI (UCAN) — French Jesuit scholar Fr Benoit Vermander, who researches religion and culture, has been appointed a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Father Vermander, 47, director of the Jesuit-run Taipei Ricci Institute, told UCA News via e-mail Nov. 21 that the appointment, made by Pope Benedict XVI, “came as a total surprise.”
New website on Inter-religious dialogue
Fr Cyril Veliath (JPN), Ad-hoc Coordinator for Buddhist-Christian Dialogue, has uploaded a new web page http://pweb.cc.sophia.ac.jp/jesuit45/.
Fr Miguel Lafont‘s page contains an excellent article on the late Fr Tony De Mello, whom Miguel knew very well and whose tradition he is continuing in Japan. A few more details on the work of Fr Alex Varickamackal (KER) had been added.