News from Asia:
By: Lucas Chan
Congratulations to Bishop Peter Comensoli of Australia Bishop Comensoli, a then moral theologian from Australia who participated in our Trento Conference, has just been appointed Bishop of Broken Bay, a diocese including the northern suburbs of Sydney and some other areas to the north of Sydney. Scholarships for Doctoral Degree in Theological Ethics Since the PhD program of St. Vincent School of Theology, Philippines, has started last year, there are now four doctoral students specializing in theological ethics (2 lay Filipinos, one Indonesian sister, and one Kenyan priest) aside from the six other students doing systematic studies. The doctoral degree requires two years of course work (face-to-face courses for two summers-March to May-and online courses during the regular terms), before the dissertation writing phase. The program's pool of faculty has recently expanded to include guest moral theologians from other countries like Prof. Charles Irudayam (India) who is teaching this second term and Prof. Patricia Jung (US) in the first term next school year. Scholarship covering tuition, and for those from outside Manila/Philippines, travel fare, board and lodging (for at least three summers, thesis proposal and thesis defense period) is available to qualified applicants from the global South. The deadline for scholarship application for admission to the 2015 summer program is January 31, 2015. If interested, please contact Prof. Agnes M. Brazal, SVST Graduate Program Coordinator, agnesmbrazal@gmail.com for the requirements.
Noticias de Am�rica Latina MT Davila
Argentina: Felicitamos a Pablo Alberto Blanco, quien comparte la siguiente rese�a sobre el libro recientemente publicado sobre el documento Evangelii Gaudium, el cual incluye uno de sus ensayos:
"Instauremos el Reino del Padre y su Justicia" comentarios a la exhortaci�n Evangelii Gaudium (rese�a)
Se trata de una obra colectiva que analiza la exhortaci�n desde la clave de su realizaci�n efectiva en el mundo, invitando a realizar la experiencia de salir al encuentro de nuestros hermanos y alcanzar un estilo de vida y de pensamiento m�s humano, m�s noble, m�s fecundo, que dignifique nuestro paso por esta tierra.
La obra recopila la aportaci�n de 22 autores entre ellos Guzm�n M. Carriquiry Lecour, secretario del Pontificio Consejo de Am�rica Latina, al servicio de la Santa Sede desde hace 40 a�os, y el rabino Abraham Skorka, rector del Seminario Rab�nico Lationamericano en Buenos Aires y amigo personal del Santo Padre.
Los autores de la obra son especialistas eclesi�sticos y laicos, entre ellos est�n: Virginia R. Azcuy, Cecilia G. Blanco de Di Lascio, Pablo Alberto Blanco, Juan E. Bonnin, Roberto Bosca, Jos� Carlos Caama�o, Guzm�n M. Carriquiry Lecour, monse�or Jorge Casaretto, padre Diego Fares SJ, presb�tero Carlos Mar�a Galli, Eugenio G�mez de Mier, Ra�l Gonz�lez Fabre, Javier A. Gonz�lez Fraga, Octavio Groppa, Juan J. Llach, Alfonso L�pez Quint�s, Elvira Narvaja de Arnoux, Alejandro Preusche, Jorge Alejandro Scampini, padre Juan Carlos Scannone SJ, Jorge R. Seibold y el rabino Abraham Skorka.
Contribuci�n de Pablo A. Blanco Debemos remitirnos al cap�tulo XIII - escrito en co-autor�a - cuyo t�tulo es "EVANGELII GAUDIUM: la alegr�a de resignificar la Pol�tica y lo Pol�tico." En este cap�tulo el eje de la reflexi�n parte de la pregunta acerca de �Qu� puede ofrecer a la vida y al pensamiento pol�tico, una exhortaci�n apost�lica, dirigida a obispos y fieles de la Iglesia cat�lica sobre el gozo de la evangelizaci�n?
Relativamente poco, si esperamos de ella directivas sobre el objeto y m�todo de la acci�n pol�tica, que muchas veces el Cardenal Jorge M. Bergoglio ha reconocido como instrumento esencial en la transformaci�n de la sociedad. Mucho, en cambio, si ubicamos la acci�n pol�tica como una expresi�n inescindible de la vida de todo ser humano, cuya convivencia social lo coloca en la condici�n de ser Persona en la �ntima relaci�n con todo otro Hombre, y cuya felicidad no puede escindirse del derrotero de dignidad de la sociedad entera.
A partir de la condici�n multidimensional de la vida de todo Hombre surge, en las condiciones providenciales y dram�ticas de nuestro tiempo, la posibilidad de reformular el sentido del mensaje cristiano para la construcci�n de un nuevo estilo pol�tico de convivencia global.
Mirado desde all�, Evangelii Gaudium es una potente invitaci�n a revisar el fundamento de nuestro modo de ser y vivir cristiano y por ello un agudo an�lisis de las razones y condiciones de todo actuar pol�tico. Por ello toda la trama de la Exhortaci�n es un llamamiento a iluminar las posibilidades de "m�s y mejor Pol�tica" como ya nos invitaba el Cardenal Jorge M. Bergoglio en sus homil�as frente a los muchos desocupados en las calles de Buenos Aires (Argentina), mejor en sus logros, pero mejor en su perspectiva de an�lisis y mejor, mucho mejor en la din�mica sobrenatural que la Fe, y por ello la gracia, puede aportar a nuestra convivencia en todos sus �rdenes.
El cap�tulo da cuenta tambi�n de que los principios del documento del Papa Francisco no quedan simplemente en el plano program�tico, sino que est�n aconteciendo acciones transformadoras de la realidad social, que confirman la concreci�n hist�rica de los principios sociales del Evangelio - columnas de una nueva sociedad que ya seminalmente existe -. Se trata de personas y comunidades que est�n aportando opciones novedosas; que est�n dejando huellas de un camino diferente y posible; de instituciones y organizaciones sociales, pero tambi�n de funcionarios y pol�ticos que est�n provocando alternativas y oportunidades de una vida mejor para todos. A partir de cada una de estas experiencias la vida pol�tica recibe la oportunidad de una mejora sustancial de su comprensi�n del Bien com�n y de alternativas para lograrlo.
En esas experiencias podemos encontrar claves que liberan, descubrimientos que curan, actitudes que ense�an... mil novedades que dan cuenta de un mundo nuevo que se est� construyendo como nos alienta a proclamar el Santo Padre Francisco, desde un nuevo modo de concebir la Pol�tica, bajo el signo de la Paz y el Bien Com�n, con verdadero Esp�ritu misionero y en alegr�a.
Gustavo Irraz�bal comparte dos publicaciones a la luz del S�nodo de la Familia: "Divorciados en nueva uni�n: entre la ley y la gracia", Criterio 2409 (noviembre 2014) 24-28 Accesible en l�nea: http://www.revistacriterio.com.ar/nota-tapa/divorciados-en-nueva-union-entre-la-ley-y-la-gracia/; y "Un s�nodo en verdad extraordinario" (para Criterio 2410 (diciembre 2014). �ste �ltimo se encuentra completo en la secci�n de publicaciones sobre el s�nodo por miembros de la red de CTEWC.
Emilce Cuda nos relata cambios muy importantes en la educaci�n teol�gica en Argentina. Cuda relata que luego de muchos a�os la teolog�a vuelve a la UBA (Universidad de Buenos Aires/Facultad de Filosof�a y Letras/Carrera de Filosof�a). La UBA es la universidad p�blica en Argentina, y es de destacar que la teolog�a no tiene espacio en la universidad p�blica nacional de ese pa�s desde hace mucho tiempo, por cuestiones idol�gico-pol�ticas, lo cual result� en un desconocimiento de conceptos elementales para el abordaje de otras disciplinas. Luego de muchas d�cadas, gracias al esfuerzo de algunos te�logos cat�licos argentinos y a la apertura de la actual dirigencia de la carrera de fiolsof�a de la UBA, se ha aprobado por unanimidad un seminario de grado sobre teolog�a denominado "Implicancias filos�ficas de conceptos teol�gicos, y sus manifestaciones en Am�rica Latina y Argentina". El mismo estar� a cargo de los doctores pontificios en teolog�a: Emilce Cuda, Jos� Carlos Caama�o y Omar Albado. Es un intento de acercar la teolog�a a espacios acad�micos de otras disciplinas donde la teolog�a es casi desconocida -a diferencia de otros pa�ses del mundo donde la teolog�a, como una disciplina m�s, tiene sus propios departamentos y/o programas de investigaci�n. Tanto los profesores de la Facultad de Teolog�a de la UCA, como de la Facultad de Filosof�a de la UBA, son entusiastas con esta novedosa propuesta, viendo en ello un paso adelante en el reconocimiento p�blico de una disciplina postergada en esos �mbitos locales.
Brasil: Elio Gasda, SJ, comparte la publicaci�n de su mas reciente libro: CRISTIANISMO e ECONOMIA. Repensar o trabalho al�m do capitalismo. S�o Paulo: Paulinas, 2104. 311p.
News from Latin America Argentina: Congratulations to Pablo Alberto Blanco,who shares the following review of the recently published volume on Evangelii Gaudium, which includes one of his essays:
"Instauremos el Reino del Padre y su Justicia" comentarios a la exhortaci�n Evangelii Gaudium (review)
This is a collection that analyzes the exhortation from the key of its effective realization in the world, the invitation to the experience of going out to meet our brothers and sisters in the world and strive for a more humane, noble and fruitful lifestyle and thought, that dignifies our time on this earth.
The book collects the contribution of 22 authors including M. Guzm�n Carriquiry Lecour, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Latin America, and Rabbi Abraham Skorka, rector of the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary in Buenos Aires and personal friend of the Holy Father.
The authors of the work are ecclesiastical and lay experts, among them: Virginia R. Azcuy, Cecilia G. White Di Lascio, Pablo Alberto Blanco, Juan E. Bonnin, Roberto Bosca, Jos� Carlos Caama�o, Guzman M. Carriquiry Lecour, Archbishop Jorge Casaretto, Father Diego Fares SJ, priest Carlos Maria Galli, Eugenio G�mez de Mier, Ra�l Gonz�lez Fabre, A. Javier Gonz�lez Fraga, Octavio Groppa, Juan J. Llach, Alfonso Lopez Quintas, Elvira Narvaja Arnoux, Alejandro Preusche, Jorge Alejandro Scampini, Father Juan Carlos Scannone SJ, Jorge R. Seibold and Rabbi Abraham Skorka.
Contribution by Pablo A. Blanco We refer back to Chapter XIII - written in co-authorship - entitled:"EVANGELII GAUDIUM the joy of resignifying Policy and Politics." In this chapter the axis of reflection is the question " what can an apostolic exhortation addressed to bishops and faithful of the Catholic Church on the joy of evangelization give to political life and thought?
Relatively little, if we expect from it directives on the subject and method of political action, often recognized by Cardinal Jorge M. Bergoglio as an essential tool in transforming society. Much, however, if we place political action as an inseparable expression of the life of every human being whose social life places it in the condition of being a person in an intimate relationship with any other Person, and whose happiness can not be separated from the destiny of the dignity of the whole society.
From the multidimensional condition of the life of every man arises in the providential and dramatic conditions of our time, the possibility of reformulating the meaning of the Christian message for the construction of a new political style of global coexistence.
From this perspective, Evangelii Gaudium is a powerful invitation to review the foundation of our way of living and being Christian, and therefore a sharp analysis of the reasons and conditions of any political act. Therefore the whole plot of the exhortation is a call to highlight the possibilities of "more and better policy" as then Cardinal Jorge M. Bergoglio already invited us in his homilies in the face of the many jobless in the streets of Buenos Aires (Argentina), better in their accomplishments, but better in their perspective of analysis and better, much better in the supernatural dynamic that faith, and therefore grace, can bring to our coexistence in all its dimensions.
The chapter realizes that the origins of the document of Pope Francis does not just stay at the programmatic level, but that actions transformative of social reality are happening, which confirm the historical realization of the social principles of the Gospel - expressions of a new society that already seminally exists -. This is about people and communities already providing new options; leaving traces that witness that a different path is possible; about institutions and social organizations, but also of officials and politicians, who are causing alternatives and opportunities for a better life for all. Grounded on each one of these experiences politics is given the opportunity to substantially improve their understanding of the common good and alternatives to be achieve.
In these experiences we can find clues that liberate, discoveries that heal, attitudes that teach ... a thousand innovations that bring us to the realization that a new world is being built, as the Holy Father Francisco, encourages us, a new way of thinking about policy, under the sign of peace and the common good, with true missionary spirit and joy.
Gustavo Irraz�bal shares two publications in light of the Synod of the Family: "Divorced new union: between law and grace," Criteria 2409 (November 2014) 24-28 accessible l�nea: http://www.revistacriterio.com.ar/nota-tapa/divorciados-en-nueva-union-entre-la-ley-y-la-gracia/; and "A truly extraordinary synod" (for Criterion 2410 (December 2014). The latter is complete in the publications section of the synod members CTEWC network.
Emilce Cuda shares that major changes are being instituted in theological education in Argentina. Cuda reports that after many years theology returns to the UBA (University of Buenos Aires / Faculty of Arts / Career of Philosophy). The UBA is the public university in Argentina, and it is noteworthy that theology has not had space in the national public university in the country for some time, due to idol�gico-political issues, which resulted in a lack of elementary to approach other disciplines concepts. After many decades, and thanks to the efforts of some Argentine Catholic theologians and the opening of the current leadership of the philosophy degree of the UBA, they unanimously adopted a degree in theology called "philosophical implications of theological concepts, and its manifestations in Latin America and Argentina". Pontificial doctors of theology: Emilce Cuda, Jos� Carlos Caama�o and Omar Albado, will be responsible for the program. This is an attempt to bring theology to academic spaces of other disciplines where theology is barely known, unlike other countries where theology as a discipline has its own departments and / or research programs. Both teachers of the Faculty of Theology of the UCA, and the Faculty of Philosophy of the UBA, are enthusiastic about this new proposal, seeing in it a step forward in the public recognition of a deferred discipline in those local areas.
Brazil: Elio Gasda, SJ, shares the publication of his latest book, Christianity and Economy. Repensar do trabalho al�mcapitalism.S�o Paulo. Pauline, 2104. 311p |
