The 7th International Dehonian Theological Seminar began on July 30 at the Faculdade Dehoniana in Taubaté (Brazil). It runs through August 4.
The focus of this year’s gathering is on the founder’s writings. “We have taken it upon ourselves to return to Dehon’s original texts and begin a ‘new reading’ to see how they speak to us in the 21st century,” said Fr. John van den Hengel, SCJ, a member of the International Theological Commission and one of the moderators of the seminar. Fr. John is a member of the Canadian Region.
In a summary of the second day’s presentations, the writing team noted that “To understand Father Dehon today does not mean reproducing his historical categories. It means discerning what remains alive and can be translated in the face of the signs of the times. Fidelity to the charism requires creativity, without losing the core of the Dehonian experience.
“In this sense, the spirit of victimhood can be reread in the light of mercy and oblation. Reparation can be understood as the reconstruction of wounded relationships and as commitment to realities of suffering. The union of contemplation and action remains a principle for a Dehonian presence capable of responding to the questions of the contemporary world.
“The discussion also showed that this rereading must remain open to the different cultures and experiences of the Congregation. It is necessary to avoid both the idealization of the Founder and a reading captive to his historical context. In the end, the question that ran through the contributions was less ‘who was Father Dehon?’ than ‘who are we, Dehonians, when we read Dehon today?’ And, from his texts, what are we called to live in the face of the challenges of our time?”
The writing team includes SCJ Fathers Eduardo Nunes Pugliesi, Nilson Helmann and Victor de Oliveira Barbosa.
Click here to access livestreams from the seminar.
Written reports and photos from the days can be found on the general website.
