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Dissertation Presentation 2024

Dissertation Presentation by Mr. Noriel R. Rogon entitled “Peacebuilding from the Lens of Br. Karl Gaspar, CSsR: A Theological and Moral Exposition on Indigenous Spirituality and Its Contribution on the Discourse on Peacebuilding in the Church”.

     “This paper explores the Church’s peacebuilding mission in relation to indigenous spirituality through a theological and moral exposition of the contextualized insights and reflections of Br. Karl Gaspar, CSsR, a Redemptorist Brother, missionary, Mindanawon scholar and peacebuilder who is deeply engaged with the history, life and spirituality of the indigenous community. This study focuses on discovering the relevance of indigenous wisdom as manifested in their lifeworld and cultural beliefs, knowledge and practices and its potential in offering a rich, alternative perspective for the peacebuilding discourse and praxis within the Church. By reviewing and reflecting on Br. Karl Gaspar’s published writings which contain his insights and reflections on peacebuilding focusing on indigenous spirituality, complementing such with relevant Church teachings, papal proclamations, scriptural foundation, pastoral implications and other scholarly perspective, Gaspar’s insights can be further highlighted. Indigenous spirituality, with its emphasis on harmony, interconnectedness, and communal well-being, can provide relevant views and communal practices that can further enrich the contemporary peacebuilding discourse and pastoral approaches. This exposition also explores Gaspar’s scholarly integration of the essential elements of indigenous spirituality into his theological reflection, highlighting their transformative capacity in addressing conflicts, social injustices and marginalization by fostering dialogue, healing and reconciliation. Through a theological and moral exposition the paper contends that indigenous spirituality will not just enrich further the Church’s peacebuilding mission, discourse and praxis, but can also enhance the Church’s ongoing renewal of her evangelizing mission in the world as God’s instrument of liberation for the poor as well as in fostering dialogue and sustainable peace in diverse cultural contexts.” – Excerpt from the paper of Mr. Noriel

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A Dissertation Presentation by Ms. Maria Isabel S. Actub entitled “Amoris Laetitia on the Role of Parents in the Education of Children: Theological Exposition on Mercy and Compassion in Contemporary Family Life”

     “Parenting is an important vocation. As the first educators of their children, parents are called upon to provide nurturance, love, and care for their children’s overall well-being. They lay foundation for forming and educating them ethically, morally, and spiritually. In contemporary family life, parents take on the huge task of molding their children holistically. Parents create an educative family culture that provides the necessary conditions for children to acquire and imbibe the values and virtues necessary for their authentic human growth. Mercy and compassion are essential formative tools in parenting. This study analyzes how parents play a role in the education of their children in the context of contemporary family life using the hermeneutic lens of mercy and compassion. It reviews and analyzes the theology of parenting in Amoris Laetitia, then juxtaposes it with relevant church documents and other cognate studies on parenting. Its findings indicate that because parenting plays such a critical role in the education of children, the incorporation the virtues of mercy and compassion in parenting – as woven into the pastoral theology of Amoris Laetitia –offers a more nuanced understanding of what it truly means to educate children in contemporary family life.” – Excerpt from the paper of Ms. Isabel

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Dissertation Presentation by Mr. Lunar T. Fayloga entitled “Principles of Synodality: Its Moral and Pastoral Discourse on the Silence Relating to the Reality of Gay Priests in the Philippine Church”

    “Inspired by the invitation of Pope Francis to make synodality as Modus Vivendi et Operandi of the Church, this study explores the principles of synodality in critically addressing the silence relating to the existence of gay priests in the Philippine Church. Given that silence is a form of marginalization, it hopes to contribute to the moral and pastoral discourse relative to the complex factors that reinforce the conditions affecting these priests.
    The research employs Key Informant Interview of four gay priests in order to provide relevant information that will surface their issues, concerns, and hopes. Documentary review were also conducted most especially the Church’s teaching on homosexuality and other literature that are relevant in this study. It is expected that there will be a dynamic conversation between existing tensions of the experiences of gay priests and the Church’s general teaching, attitude, and pastoral responses.
     The findings aim to provide deeper understanding of the struggles and challenges of gay priests that will pave the path that is more open and responsive pastoral approach, encouraging the Church to acknowledge and address the realities related to gay priests with respect, compassion, and sensitivity by the entire People of God. By embracing the synodal path with its principles, the Church will cultivate a healthy, safe, supportive, and positive space for gay priests and to all people who are often times silenced and forgotten .” – Excerpt from the paper of Mr. Lunar

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Dissertation Presentation by Mr. Philip R. Santos entitled “Robert J. Schreiter’s Theology of Reconciliation: Empowering Victims on Conflict in Peacebuilding”

    “In many peacebuilding efforts, victims of conflict are often seen as just passive beneficiaries of humanitarian aid and relief services rather than active actors in the process of reconciliation and peacebuilding. This research attempts to answer the following question: How can the distinct elements and practices of reconciliation according to Robert Schreiter empower the victims of conflict in peacebuilding process? What are the prospects of reconciliation in the Bangsamoro? Documentary research and analysis on the theological concepts of forgiveness and reconciliation by Robert J. Schreiter are employed in this study. This study also presents the context of reconciliation in the Bangsamoro. It examines how the elements and practices of reconciliation, as proposed by Schreiter, enliven the quest for peace and reconciliation in the Bangsamoro. While there are programs for reconciliation going on in the Bangsamoro stimulating peace and development, the victims and survivors of conflict need to be empowered and become primary actors in peacebuilding. In her ubiquitous presence, the Church may need to give prominence of conflict and adopt forgiveness and reconciliation as an essential component in peacebuilding efforts.” Excerpt from the paper of Mr. Philip

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https://satmi.org/project/dissertation-presentation-2024/