VATICAN - Mgr Spreafico at the inauguration of the academic year: "The spirit of mission drives us to look beyond our narrow horizons to encounter the wide world where men and women, lost, fearful and suffering are in search of answers for situations often dramatic"

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - ““The spirit of mission drives us to look beyond our narrow horizons to encounter the wide world where men and women, lost, fearful and suffering are in search of answers for situations often dramatic such as situations of war or poverty”. This was said by the Rector of the Pontifical Urban University Mgr. Ambrogio Spreafico, in his address for the inauguration of the new academic year, the 380th since its foundation (see Fides 8/10/2007). “In recent years Urban College has been renovated and not only exteriorly - the Rector remarked -. I have seen growing participation of teachers in university activities, great attention for research and more availability on the part of the students”. Last year the number of registered students was 1,552 plus another 11,000 students registered at 90 affiliated institutes all over the world.
Besides renewal of structures and services (13 class rooms have been equipped with computers; totems in the corridors enable teachers and students access university data, register for courses and obtain all the necessary information; a new structure for the coffee bar and canteen will soon be opened), the Rector also mentioned “numerous important volumes” published by the Urban University Press, which is open to the international market. The campus Euntes Docete magazine has a new look and new impulse; two new publications have been launched in addition to Urbaniana, most attractive in its new presentation, Redemptoris missio, produced by the University's Institute of Missionary Catechesis and Spirituality, and Jus missionale, produced by the Faculty of Canon Law. This year marked the 700th issue of Bibliographia missionaria review, unique in its kind, which offers every year the titles of all publications related to the themes of mission.
Mgr. Spreafico mentioned a series of cultural events organised by the different faculties, including two international meetings, 'martedì dell’Urbaniana' (Tuesdays at Urban College) , organised by the Centre for Social Communications in collaboration with the University which with the publication of various studies were opportunities for reflection on topical issues. “I wished for the Centre for Chinese Studies, which had been forgotten for too long, to find new life and vigour. To do this its regulations were inserted in the University Statutes, a new director was appointed, the old premises were renewed and will be opened today” the Rector told those present.
The Rector mentioned two other important events: a visit by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone Vatican Secretary of State to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of St Francis Xavier, patron saints of missions. On 14 June Urban University conferred an Honorary Degree on the Archbishop of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus in Rome to visit the Pope for the first time. Mgr. Spreafico concluded: “I am convinced dear friends that we must work harder to foster unity among Christians and among individuals and nations, because there is an advancing individualist and ethnic mentality which rejects if not despises people who are other, different. Much of the widespread violence we see in the world day stems from fear which leads to inconsiderate defence of oneself and one's vital space, and makes people consider division normal, whereas it is neither normal nor natural”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 9/10/2007; righe 38, parole 547)