The University of Santo Tomas’s Faculty of Theology, the Research Center for Theology, Religious Studies and Ethics (RCTRSE), through its Center for Dialogue with Cultures and Religions in Asia (CDCRA), and the Dominican Province of the Philippines will hold the 13th Leonardo Legaspi, OP Lectures on July 16, 2025, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Philippine Standard Time).
The event carries the theme, CONVERSATIONS: Catholic Theological Perspectives on Dialogue and Encounter and will feature three presentations that explore the Catholic perspectives on dialogue with other religious traditions and cultures.
The morning session will offer a glimpse of the rich world of ancient biblical commentaries, as it presents the differences and remarkable parallels between the interpretations of Genesis found in early rabbinic Midrashim (specifically Genesis Rabbah) and the influential patristic commentaries of figures like John Chrysostom.
This lecture will not only shed light on their distinct exegetical techniques but also reveal their shared messages of hope and resilience in uncertain times, offering insights relevant to contemporary audiences.
In the afternoon, the discussion will shift to contemporary challenges. It will begin with a presentation on the call of Pope Francis to foster a Culture of Encounter (CoE) that seeks to heal human relationships damaged by a prevailing “culture of indifference.” Pope Francis’s CoE is presented as a framework for intercultural theology, presented through three interconnected stages: conscientization, conversion, and action, guiding individuals and communities toward deeper mutual understanding and solidarity.
The last lecture will present the essential preliminaries of comparative theology, aiming to lay down the principles of ‘comparison’ that pave the way for a more fruitful engagement and theologizing. It will argue that in the Catholic tradition, theological dialogue is not only about engaging with traditions other than ours (ad extra), but is also about dialogue ad intra, where the development of Catholic doctrines is a fruit of the Church’s engagement with traditions and cultures across her long history. The lecture will argue that, in the Catholic tradition, theologizing has always been dialogical.
Those interested are encouraged to pre-register for the event. You may use either the QR Code provided on the poster or this link: https://bit.ly/3GgcPo3.
Please visit the Facebook page of RCTRSE for more updates: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576571160297.
