Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - On Friday, March 14, in Trigoria (Rome), the new site of the Biomedical Campus University of Rome founded in 1993 as an apostolate of the Prelature Opus Dei, was inaugurated. The new campus occupies 75 acres of land and hopes to become a true center for excellence in the capital city. It shares premises with the University Policlinic (which holds 400 beds, 18 operating rooms, and the available use of a heliport), as well as the Advanced Research Center for Biomedicine and Bioengineering, dedicated to making innovation in clinical practice and in developing new technology. All in all, it is an investment of 180 million Euros that will provide employment to nearly 3,000 people.
The intense celebrations for the opening day began with the dedication of the square in front of the Policlinic to the late Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, who was the first successor to Saint Josemaria as head of Opus Dei and primary supporter of the university project in Rome that blends cutting-edge technology in fighting diseases with Christian principles. In the inauguration speech for the first academic year in the original campus, he defined the mission of all those who work, each in his own task, in the university with these words: service, serving others with joy.
The invitation to service was also the central theme of the homily given by Bishop Javier Echevarria, Prelate of Opus Dei, during the celebration held in the University Chapel. “In order to serve,” the Prelate reminded those present, using a phrase typical of Saint Josemaria. Christ Himself revealed His power in becoming a servant and cleansing those He loved with the water of Baptism. Bishop Echevarria exhorted them to follow the imitation of Christ, not only placing their faith in technological innovations and recalled the Biomedical Campus’ motto: “Science for Man.”
Following contributions from the Campus’ Rector and President and other ecclesiastical and political authorities, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone concluded the session of official greetings and speeches. Recalling the words of San Josemaria, he said, “The mere desire to do good does not suffice; one must know how to do it.” He reminded those present that “scientific activity and health care have an even more positive result when they are carried out according to divine plan.”
The inauguration of the new campus coincided with the opening of the academic year, whose inaugural address was given by Prof. Joaquin Navarro-Valls, President of the Biomedical Campus Advisory Board, on the theme: “Science or Person.” Science, with its testing, cannot respond to the question of who man is. Only with the arrival of Christianity has there been an awareness of “being human,” not simply of “having a body.” That is precisely why each patient “is radically a person,” Prof. Navarro-Valls affirmed, “whether it be in the apparently visible characteristics, or in those that cannot be reduced to mere empirical verification.” He also pointed out that every doctor should not remain in appearance alone, but should have “compassion” and understanding of the dignity of the person. Otherwise, neither will he understand himself. (PC) (Agenzia Fides 17/3/2008; righe 40, parole 514)
