Category: News

Samson Gebretsadik SDB

February 1, 2018 – STS - Jerusalem On February 1, 2018, the Studium Theologicum Salesianum (STS) opened the Spring 2018 semester holding a conference entitled: “Toward Practical Ecumenism: On Catholic-Lutheran Relationship”, in occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

The Chief Guest was Rev. Robert G. Smith, Academic Director of the Jerusalem Global Gateway program, a global consortium of the University of Notre Dame institutions of which Tantur Ecumenical Institute is part. He earned his BA from Oklahoma State University and his PhD from Baylor University. For the past several years, he served as the Special Adviser to the President of the Lutheran World Federation, Bishop Munib Younan. Smith is author of More Desired than Our Own Salvation: The Roots of Christian Zionism (Oxford, 2013) and editor, with Swedish scholar Göran Gunner, of Comprehending Christian Zionism: Perspectives in Comparison (Fortress, 2014).

After the prayer to the Holy Spirit and the words of welcome, the Principal of STS, Fr. Gustavo Cavagnari, SDB, introduced the Chief Guest and underlined in his greeting the importance of the topic, especially for those taking the Diploma in Inter-religious Dialogue and Ecumenism. He also made a reference to the Pope Francis’ new Apostolic Constitution “Veritatis gaudium”.

In his conference, Rev. Smith emphasized the essential importance of reconciliation and dialogue among Catholics and Lutherans, by quoting St. Paul: God “has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:17-19). He added that this vision of God’s reconciling embrace in Christ Jesus and call to the ministry of reconciliation has animated his career of engagement across lines of ecumenical and inter-religious difference. He stressed also the confession that Jesus is the incarnation of a universal God with a universal mission, and so we are called into a life of global awareness with an unceasing commitment for the wellbeing of the poor. In this sense, he briefly added practical ecumenical and interreligious cooperation in the relation to the three interlocking areas of international law, global migration, and climate justice.

Rev. Smith cited later the text “From conflict to Communion”, highlighting the five ecumenical imperatives presented in the document, and he concluded saying that we are all disciples of Jesus, even if we have different paths. We should now freely affirm to one another that we follow the One who has broken down the dividing wall, and therefore we have to seek unity and not division for the good of the society.

Rev. Richard Amalanathan, SDB, moderated the questions and answers session, where time was given to all the participants seeking clarification and comments on the matters under discussion. Rev. Robert briefly answered the questions that were raised.

The full text of Rev. Smith’s conference can be found here.

Leonard Carlino SDB

15 January 2018 – STS - Jerusalem On Monday, January 15 2018, Frédéric Masson defended his Baccalaureate synthesis at the Studium Theologicum Salesianum in Jerusalem, completing four years of study and earning the title Bachelor of Theology. His thesis was titled, “Christianity as a religion of dialogue. Between Particularism & Universalism: Exploring the possibility of an interreligious dialogue theology”. Frédéric’s tutor for his synthesis was Rev. Dr. Gianni Caputa, SDB and the reader was Rev. Fr. Vincent Raj John Bosco, SDB.

Rev. Dr. Gustavo Cavagnari, SDB, Principal of STS, welcomed all present to the Baccalaureate Exam and congratulated Frédéric on admittance to the exam. He proceeded to outline the procedure of the examination.

After an opening prayer, Frédéric explained that his intention with his topic was to search for the key elements of a theology of inter-religious dialogue within and through the Sacred Scriptures, documents of the Magisterium and Church history. He then presented a brief overview of his synthesis

When the time for questions arrived, Fr. Caputa congratulated the candidate on his clear presentation, highlighted four aspects of the research, identified some points of weakness, and inquired into some magisterial statements interacting with Frédéric’s conclusions. The student responded decisively, referencing Lumen gentium of the Council Vatican II and Dominus Iesus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith. Frédéric used the image of a full glass which continues to pour liquid out of it for illustrating how the true God and message of Salvation overflows from the Church into the world.

Fr. Vincent also commended Frédéric on his work and successfully completing his synthesis. He presented the student with both methodological errors as well as criticism on his focus on history of failure of the Church in this area and lack of mention of other religions for dialogue besides Judaism and Islam. His questions focused on if particularism necessarily excludes dialogue in itself, and if the threat of universalism may also fall into pluralism. Frédéric outlined three attitudes in dialogue (exclusivism, inclusivism, pluralism) and three conditions of dialogue (respect, self-confidence, shared ground).

The academic commission conferred and after a short break awarded Frédéric Masson with the Bachelor of Theology degree.

Leonard Carlino, SDB

14 December 2017 - Western Wall Tunnels – Jerusalem As the class sessions of the first semester came close to their end, the First-Year students, along with Fr Gustavo Cavagnari SDB, President of STS, participated in the December Topographical Visit. This visit was centered on the history of the architectural development of the city of Jerusalem, highlighting the change of borders and city levels in relation to the Temple Mount.

The visit began at Jaffa Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem with the participation in the welcoming prior to the solemn entrance of Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli to the Holy Sepulcher. Archbishop Girelli is the new Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine and Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and Cyprus for the Holy See. The event was very ecumenical, with representation from the Greek Orthodox, Armenian, and Greek Catholic churches also participating.

The visit officially began once the procession departed for the Holy Sepulcher. Fr Leopold Vonck, M.Afr., Guest Professor of Topographical Visits, began with a short history of the walls of the city and reasons for their changing character. On the walk to the Western Wall, the group stopped to view some remnants from the first walls.

At the Western Wall, Fr Vonck explained the architecture of the first and second temples while pointing out the visible signs of location of Barclay’s gate and Robinson’s arch on the Southwest corner. The stones of the wall also speak of their history.

The visit reached its climax in the visit to the Western Wall Tunnels. Located along the foundations of the Western Wall, these tunnels exemplify the original artistry and masonry of the wall and the Roman impact on the Temple during and after the siege of the city in 70 AD. The tour was wonderfully guided by the guide from the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. Overall the visit was a rousing success and end-note to a positive semester at the STS.

Leonard Carlino, SDB

13 December 2017 – STS – Jerusalem On a pleasant Wednesday afternoon, the STS welcomed Mr. Dan Koski, Communications Director of Tantur Ecumenical Institute. Mr Koski’s conference was entitled “Christian Narratives within Popular Devotion of Saints: In Search of St. George”.

In the conference, Mr. Koski gave a hypothetical biography of St George as well as his history of veneration within the Orthodox Christian Church and Muslim traditions. Of interest was the identity of St George as a point of union between these two faith traditions. The Speaker went on to describe the iconographic traditions of depiction of St George and the spread of devotion to him in the modern period, particularly in the Holy Land.

Originally from Minnesota, Mr. Koski joined Tantur Institute after several years in the region. He is involved in Marketing and Administration responsibilities at Tantur, helping other staff members with various tasks and programs. He is the co-author of “Celebrating St. George in the Holy Land” in The Holy Land Review 10/3 (2016).

The STS puts on such conferences regularly, and the students and faculty look forward to many such eye opening experiences in the coming Spring Semester.

Calvin Ototo Akunga M.Afr.

23 November 2017 - Avdat - Negev Desert

As the vegetation became progressively sporadic on our drive down, and the reflection of the light off the vast tracts of white sand made the ambience brighter than it should have actually been, it became obvious that we were in desert land. When we learned that the south received not a drop more than 39mm of rainfall last year, it did not seem an exaggeration. Nevertheless, the masterfully sculpted terrain on either side of the highway was idyllic. Here and there, a group of trees would proudly defy the laws of nature and stand tall, boasting their green bushy torsos.

Makhtesh Ramon was our starting point. This crater, whose formation began around 200 million years ago, has a length of about 40km long and a width of between 2 and 10km. This impressive feature sat in still silence, as if it knew it was the subject of our contemplation. Still waters run deep. The crater is home to five different habitats and most of the animals have an adaptation that certain students insist on trying: being nocturnal. That is why we could not see a large majority of them. Anybody willing to sponsor an STS candle-lit picnic? That aside, who among us knew that they would one day come face-to-face with a black cobra or a Palestinian viper? The day finally arrived. We stood there and stared them down unflinchingly, separated by no more than a meter. If we’re honest, it was probably the thick solid glass that encased them rather than our temerity that allowed this. On their part, they just laid there, oblivious that their species were endangered and that we were a curious lot. One of them was so unconcerned that a certain goalkeeper (probably in need of new snake-skin gloves) asked, “Are they dead?”

It would not be far from the truth to say that few things evoke a combination of national pride and sadness than the name Ilan Ramon; a man who literally put Israel “out of this world” when he became the first of its citizenry to visit the extra-terrestrial realm. The tribute in his honour had some people reflecting on certain existential matters.

In order that our second site be efficiently appreciated within the shortest time possible, the picnic mentioned at the beginning was offered as the carrot at the end of the Avdat stick. This site, the 62^nd station on the “Incense Route”, is probably the sole piece of evidence of an erstwhile flourishing people. Our guest PhD student confirmed the almost mythical nature of the Nabateans before he somehow disappeared and immersed himself into his subject matter, the Byzantine ruins, especially the churches, forts, milestones and roads. The unanswered question was the value of incense, given that come hell or high water (life and tax notwithstanding!), they just had to have it. This unshakeable determination led to the mixing of people, cultures and ideas. It would be ludicrous to posit that mundane items from the local shop can lead to a revolution. The matrimony between archaeology and history begs to differ.

Makhtesh Ramon’s and Avdat’s breathtakingly beautiful sites, sights, and sounds at some point seemed to threaten Br. Hilario’s trusted camera into submission but he soon sorted the problem out and was happily clicking away in a bid to immortalise some memorable moments of the day. In a month’s time we will be back for more.

The 2017 STS Football Tournament took place at the field of the Armenian Seminary on November 16.  It was a great opportunity for the students to build camaraderie and fellowship.  Below are some highlights form the event.

Michal Jeske SDB

9 November 2017 - Tower of David Museum – Jerusalem On November 9, another episode of the Topographical Visit series took place in the Jerusalem Citadel, home of the Tower of David Museum. This impressive building, partly from the times of Herod the Great, houses exhibits which showcase the extremely rich history of this city. On this journey through the different periods of Jerusalem, students and staff participants were guided by Fr. Leopold Vonck M. Afr, Guest Professor of Topographical Visits.

At the very beginning, the group ascended to the top of the so-called Tower of David, from where could be admired the beautiful panorama of the Old City, as well as the present-day Jerusalem. After that, as the group walked through the rooms, they got to know the different faces of this city and its history: Israelites, Persians, Romans, Crusaders, Mamelukes and many others who left their characteristic mark on what we call Jerusalem today – especially its culture and architecture.

As students of theology, we paid particular attention to the details of the realities of Jesus Christ and of Christianity itself. In this context, there were interesting exhibits presenting the Second Temple - its architectural uniqueness and important place in the consciousness of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Another point worthy of note was the history of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre and its changing shape over the centuries.

A visit to the Tower of David Museum certainly helped students have a clear idea of the periods in the history of Jerusalem and Israel. The knowledge gained will certainly facilitate the orientation of theological study in the dynamic history of the Bible and to understand better the reality of the Holy Scripture.

Written by Michal Vojtáš, this book starts with the development of Salesian youth ministry in the post-Vatican II period. The change from a faithful and repetitive education towards a critical and future-centered approach brought multiple risks. Focusing on organizational aspects, we analyze the underlying theories and their anthropological paradigms, especially Management by Objectives. Then we turn back to the original and permanent criterion for any renewal – the experience of Don Bosco in the Valdocco Oratory. His leadership and management qualities, recent leadership concepts, solid bases of the Salesian Youth Ministry and creative experiments are sewn creatively together in an innovative proposal: 1. Creation of an integral anthropological framework; 2. Development of a set of virtues-qualities at the level of action mentality, shared leadership and operative management; 3. Proposal of a transformational project cycle that merges planning, community building and discernment.

Michal Vojtáš is a Salesian of Don Bosco from Slovakia and member of the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome.  His research interests focus on Salesian Pedagogy, Youth Ministry, Spirituality, Educational Projects and Leadership.  He is also the Director of Don Bosco Studies Center at the UPS.

Available for online purchase at http://www.lulu.com/shop/michal-vojt%C3%A1%C5%A1/reviving-don-boscos-oratory-salesian-youth-ministry-leadership-and-innovative-project-management/paperback/product-23389268.html

At the 2017 Dies Academicus, Fr Gustavo Cavagnari SDB, President & Principal of Studium Theologicum Salesianum, announced the release of Christian Muslim Dialogue: Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Pier Giorgio Gianazza SDB by STS Publications.

The following is taken from the back cover description of the book:

Christian-Muslim Dialogue: Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Pier Giorgio Gianazza SDB treats the very important theme of inter-religious dialogue between Christians and Muslims, the two most populous religions in the world today.  Without openness to dialogue and mutual respect among these religions, world peace is impossible.

The book is published in honour of Professor Emeritus Rev. Fr Pier Giorgio Gianazza who has embodied in his academic career qualities essential for dialogue, such as, deep faith, charity, respect, knowledge of the faith and love for the common good.

True dialogue requires in addition to qualities of the heart, suitable training through serious and extensive study of one’s own faith and those of others.  Chapters written by highly respected Christian and Muslim authors enrich this book with perspectives from both faith communities.

Contributors include Abu Sway Mustafa, Al-Hafi Amer, Aveline Jean-Marc, Fitzgerald Michael, Gianazza Gianmaria, Houshmand Shahrzad, Hussain Amir, John Bosco Vincent Raj, Khoury Rafiq, Lahham Maroun, Lemarié Paul, Michael Biju, and Mokrani Adnane.

More information can be found on the STS Publications page of the STS website.