The University of Santo Tomas and the Ateneo de Manila University jointly held the International Conference on the Theology of the Priesthood on February 13 and 14, 2024, at the auditorium of the Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati O.P. Building.
Bringing almost 400 members of the clergy and lay religious, discussions focused on the vocation and pastoral service of priests in service of the Lord and the communities to which they belong.
The Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery of Bishops His Eminence Marc Cardinal Ouellet delivered the Day 1 keynote address discussing “What is the Future for Priesthood?” while Prof. Dr. Philippe Capelle Dumont, a French priest and philosopher who served as president of the Catholic Academy of France, served as the Day 2 keynote speaker. He discussed “Here I am! Theology of the Call, Anthropological Challenges, and Pastoral Vocations”.
Joining the discussions online from Rome was the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who presented the “Priestly Ministry in Social Media and the New Evangelization” and the Master of the Order of Preachers Very Rev. Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner, III, O.P., who shared reflections on “Integrity in Ministry”.
UST Department of Sociology Chair Prof. Clarence Batan, Ph.D., shared “A Sociological Reflection on the Selected Research Narratives of Priest Catechists and Young FIlipino Catechized” and Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan Most Rev. Socrates Villegas, D.D., O.P., discussed “Vocation and Formation of Priests in the Philippines”.
Emmaus Center for Psycho-Spiritual Formation Executive Director Fr. Jordan Orbe, S.J., Psy.D., spoke on the “Care for Clergy: Addressing Stress, Burnout, and Wellbeing among Priests”, Fr. Fabio Baggio, CS, of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, shared the “Role of Priests in Ministering to Migrants”, Sr. Ma. Anicia Co, RVM, from the Loyola School of Theology discussed “Women’s Contributions to the Priesthood”, and Dr. Carmen Valdés talked about the “Role of Priests in Ecological Stewardship”.
Both days of the conference were capped by Eucharistic Celebrations.
