Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Fides Service) - As part of various initiatives to mark the tenth anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Veritatis Splendor, the John Paul II chair of the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina is promoting an international congress on the theme ‘The Truth Will Make You Free’ 23 to 25 September at the University in Buenos Aires. The programme includes videoconferences, discussion panels and talks involving experts and scholars from the world of the university and the Church including 4 cardinals and 6 bishops from Argentina, Spain, Italy and Poland.
Reflection will focus on four main themes: “The ecclesial dimension of ethics”, “The bond between Freedom and Truth”, “The relation between Faith and Life”, and “The social and community dimension of ethics”. On Thursday 23 September Mgr. Alfredo Horacio Zecca, Rector of the University will give the opening address and Archbishop Angelo Amato, Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith will give the first talk on “Moral imperatives in the life of Christ”. This will be followed by a discussion panel with Bishop José Angel Rovai, President of the Argentinean Bishops’ Commission for Faith and Culture, Prof. Livio Medina, docent at the John Paul II Institute at the Lateran University in Rome and Prof. Réal Tremblay of the Pontifical Alfonsiana Academy in Roma.
On Friday 24 September participants will reflect on the “The Bond between Truth and Freedom” and the “the Relation between Faith and Life”. In a video-conference Cardinal Angelo Scola Patriarch of Venice will speak on “The theological perspective of Veritatis Splendor”, after which Bishop Antonio Marino, Auxiliary of Plata will preside a discussion. In the afternoon, again in video-conference, Cardinal George Cottier O.P, Theologian of the Papal Household will give a talk on “Natural Law in Veritatis Splendor as universal foundation of truth in freedom” followed by a discussion chaired by Archbishop Eduardo Miras of Rosario who is President of the Argentinean Bishops’ Conference.
On Saturday 25 September reflection will focus on “The social and community dimension of ethics”. Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, President of the Pontifical Council for the pastoral care of the sick and health care workers, will give the main talk on “Health Pastoral in Veritatis Splendor”, Archbishop Estanislao Karlic, emeritus Archbishop of Parana, will speak on “Martyrdom, exaltation of the inviolable sanctity of the Law of God”, Prof. Jaroslav Merecki, docent at Lublin University , Poland will give a paper on “Truth as a political question”, Father Domingo Basso O.P, rector emeritus of the Catholic University of Argentina will speak on the topic “Fundamental choices and concrete attitudes”. Lastly, Prof. Fernando Ortega, who also teaches at the University, will examine the question of “The theological dimension of Veritatis splendor”. The conference will close with an address by Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio, Chancellor of the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina. For more information see: ines_franck@uca.edu.are (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 14/9/2004; Righe 35, Parole 464)
