The Episcopal Commission on Seminaries (ECS), San Carlos Seminary and Don Bosco Center of Studies organized a day of Theological Symposium on the latest document of the International Theological Commission (ITC) entitled Theology Today: Perspective, Principles and Criteriapublished by Paulines.
It was held last July 6 at San Carlos Seminary Auditorium, Guadalupe, Makati City participated in by seminary rectors, deans, professors, seminarians, religious brothers and sisters and students of the the following institutions: San Carlos Seminary, Loyola School of Theology, Don Bosco Center of Studies, Arrupe International Residences, St. Paul the Chartres, Mary Help of Christians – Dagupan, and ICMC- Bulacan. Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ, Father of Asian Theology also graced the occasion.
There were three speakers corresponding to the three chapters of the document. Fr. Francis Maloney, SDB, discussed Theology and Listening to the Word of God (Chapter 1). He stressed on the Primacy of the Word of God, the Importance of the Text and Context and Scripture as the Foundation/Soul of Theology. He challenged the assembly to “engage” in the WORD today.
Fr. Jose Antonio Aureada, OP, the second speaker talked about, Theology and Giving an Account of the Truth (Chapter Three). In his exposition, he highlighted the intellectual, affective, praxis aspects of our Faith and the traditional, present and future priority of theology. He also gave some recommendations which are the following:
- To read the signs of the times in Curriculum Development,
- to move towards Outcome Based Teaching and Learning Model and
- to go beyond the traditional meaning /priority of Theology – faith seeking understandingto praxis seeking understanding and hope seeking understanding.
His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal G. Tagle, DD gave flesh to the topic, Theology and Abiding in Communion with the Church (Chapter 2) . Cardinal Tagle, explained the Six Levels of Abiding in the Communion of the Church and Faith as Ecclesial and Personal.
All the speakers gave commendable critique and profound explanation of the topic assigned to them. An open forum followed after each talk.
The organizer of the event invited the Paulines to make copies of the ITC document and other titles available for a book mission that was taken cared of by Sr. Rose Agtarap, Sr. Maricar Andamon and PLMP Regine Areno. Many copies of Theology Today were diffused. Sr Ma. Antonieta Molina, Sr. Lorena Briones and Sr. Delia Bete also attended the Symposium.
By: Sr Lorena Briones, fsp
