Kahayag Forum on August 21

This is a press release from the Community of Saint John 

MANILA, Philippines – The super-typhoon Yolanda reawakened, not only here in the Philippines, but also all around the world, our sense of awe and trembling before nature – that our relationship with nature needs re-assessment and repair is now beyond dispute.

Pope Francis, in his long expected encyclical, Laudato Si’, poses a key question which is in fact already in our minds and in our communities: “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who will come after us, to our growing children?”

Science is warning us that large-scale planetary damage and subsequent human suffering will characterize that world, unless a change of lifestyles is effectuated urgently. But where will this change come from? No doubt all sectors of society have their part to play.

To do so effectively, however, we must pool our resources. It was a profound conviction of the founder of the Community of Saint John (CSJ), Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe, O.P., that the friendly climate of an authentic search for wisdom was essential within the Church just as much as outside it.

CSJ, in collaboration with University of San Carlos Biology Department and Department of Philosophy and Religious Education, offers Kahayag Forum as a modest contribution to the urgent task of creating spaces of dialogue. In this venue, scientific research, economic, business and governmental expertise, experience drawn from civic development and advocacy, as well as the spiritual insights of religion and philosophy can be drawn together in the harmony that wisdom alone can create.

The Kahayag Forum will take place on August 21, 2015, at 12:30-7:30 PM, Sacred Heart Center Convention Hall, D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City. The three conferences (listed below) will be followed by small-group discussions over merienda cena and an open-floor panel discussion with the speakers. The day will end with the Holy Mass at about 6.30 PM.

• Topic 1:  Resilience and Sustainability:  Leadership in the Age of Climate Change

Speaker:  Christopher Ryan Maboloc, MA, MAE

Associate Professor, Philosophy Department, Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City

• Topic 2:  New Climate Thinking

Speaker:  Glen Martin Green, PhD

Associate Professor, Biology Department, University of San Carlos, Cebu City

• Topic 3:  Metanoia for our Common Home: Heeding the Groans of Man and Nature

Speaker:  Fr. Justin Lee, CSJ.

Novice Master, Brothers of Saint John, Cebu City

Pre-registration is at PHP 150, while on-site registration is PHP 200. For ticket inquiries you may contact 0942 464 2939 (Em Talaboc). We also encourage you to join us in our on-line discussion before the event on our Facebook page (fb.com/kahayagforum) or email us at kahayag.forum@gmail.com. – Rappler.com