Eighty Years – Fostering Theological Reflections for Human Promotion in South Asia and the World.
DIVIDING THE CITIZENS
By: Poulose MANGAI, S.J.December 2019 was horribly alarming for the nation. The faultlines of divisions came to the fore in multiple manifestations
Read moreIn Memoriam JOHANN BAPTIST METZ
By: Poulose MANGAI, S.J.JOHANN BAPTIST METZ was among the most important German catholic theologians of the post-Vatican II period. His life as a priest and theologian was dedicated to the task of realizing in the thought and praxis of the church the progressive vision and ideals of the Council.
Read morePOPE FRANCIS AND ECUMENISM
By: Michael AMALADOSS, S.J.It is sometimes suggested that Pope Francis is not a theologian like Benedict XVI, though he taught theology for some time. He is more of a pastor. But one’s ways of acting may orient the way s/he looks at life in the world. A different way of acting may arise from and lead to a different way of thinking. I suggest that this is what is happening in the field of ecumenism— and in many other fields—with Pope Francis.
Read moreEXPLORING THE DYNAMIC SPIRAL OF MINISTRY
By: James H. KROEGER, M.M.Energy, dynamism, and growth are common images evoked by the simple word “spiral”. A spiral connotes advancing action, increasing or developing movement. And yet, a spiral, even in its continuous dynamism, moves and advances around a fixed center.To capture and express realities of a spirituality of ministry and mission always demands the creative use of dynamic, expansive language. Thus, approaching the topic of ministry and spirituality under the rubric of a “spiral” is an attempt to present an apostolic spirituality that encompasses and integrates many facets and riches.
Read moreCALL TO PROPHETIC PRIESTHOOD
By: Thomas KARIMUNDACKAL, S.J.Today we do not merely need priests, but priests with a prophetic spirit. As Pope Francis reminds us, it is important that the priest of today move away from clericalism to become a pastor whose shares in the joys and sorrows, dreams and aspirations, comforts and sufferings of the people in all walks of life. It is a call to deny honour and glory, power and prestige and identify with the people, especially the marginalized. As a shepherd, a priest must have the smell of the sheep.
Read moreTHE PETRINE TEXTS
By: Julian SALDANHA, S.J.When one refers to the “Petrine texts”, the ones most often quoted, especially by Church authorities, are: Mt 16:18-19; Jn 21:15 ff; Lk 22:32. Certain other Petrine texts, which deserve equal attention, are ignored or glossed over. Among these are: Mt 16:23 and Gal 2:11-14. Likewise, certain texts of Ecumenical Councils receive similar treatment. This has resulted in an unbalanced attitude towards papal and, by extension, episcopal authority in the Church. It is the purpose of this article to balance these texts, so as to arrive at a more mature understanding of authority in the Church.
Read moreDIMENSIONS OF PRIESTHOOD
By: Dr. Pearl DREGOBecause of the depth, the wide horizons, the sensitivity and the overriding demands of the identity, mission and call of the priest, the document Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis1 (RFIS) gives great importance to the task of priestly formation. While addressing the Plenary of the Congregation for the Clergy on 3 October 2014, Pope Francis had spoken of the need to guard and foster vocations so that they bear mature fruit. He called these ‘uncut diamonds’ that needed to “be formed both patiently and carefully, respecting the conscience of the individual, so that they may shine among the People of God”.
Read moreADDRESS AT THE MEETING FOR PEACE
By: Pope FRANCISGod of mercy and Lord of history, to you we lift up our eyes from this place, where death and life have met, loss and rebirth, suffering and compassion. Here, in an incandescent burst of lightning and fire, so many men and women, so many dreams and hopes, disappeared, leaving behind only shadows and silence. In barely an instant, everything was devoured by a black hole of destruction and death. From that abyss of silence, we continue even today to hear the cries of those who are no longer. They came from different places, had different names, and some spoke different languages.
Read moreADDRESS ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS
By: Pope FRANCISDear Brothers and Sisters, This place makes us deeply aware of the pain and horror that we human beings are capable of inflicting upon one another. The damaged cross and statue of Our Lady recently discovered in the Cathedral of Nagasaki remind us once more of the unspeakable horror suffered in the flesh by the victims of the bombing and their families. One of the deepest longings of the human heart is for security, peace and stability. The possession of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction is not the answer to this desire; indeed they seem always to thwart it.
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