REVISITING VATICAN II IN THE YEAR OF FAITH

An Interfaculty Seminar Jointly Organized by

Vidyajyoti College, Delhi & Holy Trinity Regional Major Seminary, Jalandhar

At Vidyajyoti College, Delhi on February 14, 2013

The seminar began with the lighting of the lamp by Archbishop Anil Couto and Bishop Franco Mulakkal along with representatives of Vidyajyoti College and Holy Trinity Seminary. Inaugurating the seminar, Bp. Franco underlined the prophetic role of the Church in India. Formation should transform us so that we can be living witnesses of Jesus, the human face of God in his abundant love. This is essential since we are to be men and women of the New Evangelisation.

Fr. Kurian Muttathupadam, Professor at Holy Trinity explained the genesis of the seminar and its dynamics. There followed three presentations:

1. Challenges of Vatican II Documents for Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue by Abp. Anil Couto

2. The Relevance of Verbum Domini in the Year of Faith

by Fr. Mathew Palachuvattil (Professor, Holy Trinity)

3. Spirituality of Vatican II

by Fr. Poulose Mangai, SJ (Professsor, Vidyajyoti)

In his presentation, the Archbishop highlighted the dynamic nature of the Church as a pilgrim people of God which Vatican II presents to us. Christian unity requires that we return to the sources, namely, the Word of God. Christian churches and communities outside the Catholic Church are also bearers of great endowments. There is no real unity among Christians unless it is incarnated.The Presentations were followed by discussions in workshop groups. The ten groups discussed three questions:The afternoon was devoted mainly to a panel discussion. There were three panellists who spoke on three different topics

:

1. Priestly Life in the Year of Faith

by Fr. Jose Palakuzha (Rector & Professor, Holy Trinity)

2. Fostering Fath in the Church: Prospects w.r.t. Lay faithful and the Role of Women

by Sr. Shalini, PBVM (Professor, Vidyajyoti)

 3. LG and GS’s Challenges to Seminary Formation-for-Mission

by Fr. Francis Gonsalves, SJ (Principal & Professor, Vidyajyoti)

In the end Fr. George Gispert-Sauch, SJ (Professor Emeritus, Vidyajyoti) summed up the seminar highlighting its many insights and indicating certain points which required greater precision and clarity and further explorations. Fr. Tom Venad, SJ (Professor, Vidyajyoti) proposed the vote of thanks.

It is hoped that the new initiative of the inter-faculty seminar will lead to further exchanges and collaboration between the two theology centres in future.

—-Poulose