In an enthralling convergence of intellectual acumen and theological insight, the symposium titled “Redefining the Mission: Pope Francis and the Contemporary Landscape of India,” organized by the Department of Missiology in collaboration with Pontifical Mission Organizations, India, at St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute in Bangalore, unveiled Pope Francis’s trans-formative vision. Scheduled from November 14th to 16th, 2023, the event was aimed to redefine the Church’s mission in the light of the contemporary challenges facing India. Prof. Dr. Michael Amaladoss, SJ, Founder of IDCR, Loyola College, Chennai and Prof. Dr Felix Wilfred, Director of the Asian Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies, Chennai, leading voices in the symphony of theological discourse, took the stage for keynote and gathering the fruits, revealing a tapestry woven with inclusiveness, justice, and a profound understanding of dialogue and mission.
Unraveling Pope Francis’s Vision
Prof. Amaladoss, in a masterful exposé, navigated the nuanced aspects of Pope Francis’ pastoral discernment. With a spotlight on ‘social friendship’ and a ‘culture of encounter,’ he dismantled hierarchical notions, advocating for an atmosphere of inclusiveness and mutual respect. Prof. Wilfred added by exploring Pope Francis’s vision of fraternity as a social practice. Love, he emphasized, is the basis for ‘social friendship’ and ‘universal fraternity.’ The parable of the Good Samaritan was presented as a true form of social friendship that sows seeds of trust in a violent world. Thus, Pope Francis advocates the universe as a divine gift meant for universal sharing. The compassionate stance on migrants resonated, aligning their rights with a broader understanding of human dignity.
Fr Loyola Diraviam SDC
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