AMERICA/CUBA - International Encounter on the life and work of Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, American missionary and defender of the indigenous peoples

Friday, 4 April 2008

Havana (Agenzia Fides) - In commemoration of the 280th anniversary of the founding of the University of Havana by the Dominican Order, an International Encounter will be held on the meaning of the life and work of Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, who contributed much in the important areas of morals in society, historical responsibility, and human justice and dignity. The encounter will take place April 7 - 10 in the “Fray Bartolomé de las Casas Hall” in the Convent of San Juan de Letrán in Havana and is especially intended for those specialists with interest in the historical projection of Las Casas, including students and others with interest in the topics of discussion.
The event is being promoted by Spanish Dominican Friar Manuel Uña, former three-time Provincial Superior of the Dominicans in Andalucia (Province of Bética), who currently serves as Vicar of the Dominican Friars of Cuba. The Encounter has been organized with “the certainty that the time that has passed has not obscured the words and actions of Fray Bartolomé de las Casas. Rather, it has made them even more pertinent to our times. That is the reason for the scientific and humanistic interest of this encounter,” he said.
Fray Bartolomé de las Casas (1484-1566), a Spanish Dominican Friar, historian, theologian, Bishop of Chiapas (Mexico), and valiant defender of the indigenous people played an important role in the evangelization of America. The Archdiocese of Sevilla, where he was born, has begun his cause for beatification. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 4/4/2008; righe 20, parole 245)


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