In Jakarta, Card Tagle says that Catholic universities must be a missionary tool for rich and poor
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Catholic universities "should serve as missionary institutions. They are the Evangelical tool of the Church,” said Card Luis Antonio Tagle, archbishop of Manila, at a conference in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The theme of the conference was ‘Ex Corde Ecclesiae’, the Apostolic Constitution promulgated by John Paul II on 15 August 1990, which defines the task of Catholic universities, and was part of a series that offered reflections on Catholic higher education in Indonesia under the aegis of the Catholic University of Atma Jaya, South Jakarta, on the occasion of the 55 years since it was founded.
Cardinal Tagle, who chairs Caritas Internationalis, is on his first visit to Indonesia. On Wednesday, he met the country's bishops. Speaking about the opportunities and challenges Catholic institutions face in the world, the Filipino archbishop stressed that their task is to bring the Good News to all groups of society and "not only to people who can afford the cost of education."
Speaking to the academics, then prelate asked, “"What model of development do you teach your students? What is growth if it does not touch the poor? How can you say you that you are concerned about the poor if you do not share your development and growth with them?"
Having lectured since he was 19 years old, the prelate advised his “colleagues” to build a personal rapport with students, and focus on their cultural and psychological development rather than only on their academic results.
Mentioning some elements of Laudato si’, he noted that "The cry of the earth comes together with the cry of the poor. Therefore, one of Catholic universities' obligations is caring for the environment.”
The cardinal proposed as an example of sobriety not throwing away tools that still work. Pointing to his wristwatch, given to him by his father when he finished high school in 1973, he called for a break with the notion that "the more you grow, the more you throw away."
For the archbishop of Manila, science and technology must be humble, listen and contemplate, to learn from the poor and indigenous peoples.
The rapid development of information technology, he suggested, makes students digital natives, whilst parents and teachers are "digital migrants". Such a situation creates a gap between generations. Given this reality, universities need to look at ways to motivate young people to pursue the common good.
Other officials from Catholic academic and non-academic institutions spoke at the event.
Brother Amnuay Yoonprayong, vice president for Moral Development Education at the University of Assumption, Bangkok, Thailand, spoke about how his institution serves Buddhists in the Thai capital.
Dinna Wisnu shared her unique experience as a Catholic who became co-founder of an Islam-based university in Jakarta.
.png)
