Comillas Pontifical University Theological Symposium

The Comillas Pontifical University holds the Theological Symposium annually, they bring experts on the field to discuss inquiries about theology. This year, the IV Theological Symposium will take place on July 6th, and will be about “Christian Eschatology in the context of Secularization in the pandemic World”.

IV Theology Symposium: “Christian Eschatology in the context of Secularization in the pandemic World”

The IV Theological Symposium aims at bringing together all theologians of our Jesuit Faculties of Theology in Europe, ready to share their reflections and research related to the theme of eschatology. Everyone can find their place: biblical scholars, dogmatic theologians, specialists in spirituality or moral theology, as well as those whose reflection is carried out from a pastoral point of view. The event is being postponed, we will notify the new date the moment it is scheduled.

Topic

Christian Eschatology in the context of Secularisation in the pandemic World In the Spiritual Exercises [23], Ignatius of Loyola states: “God created human beings to praise, reverence, and serve God, and by doing this, to save their souls.” This “First Principle and Foundation” expresses the essence of Christian eschatology, which, generally speaking, is about the goal and fulfilment of creation and history of salvation on the individual as well as social and universal level. Hence, it is about the “last things” such as death, immortality, resurrection, judgment, the end of the world, new creation, purgatory, heaven, and hell. According to the Christian faith, rooted in the teaching of the Bible, these “last things” should penetrate and form our choices in the present life hic et nunc. They should also be a source of hope that life is stronger than death. Thus understood, eschatology is connected with the idea of God, transcendence, creation, salvation, and imagination. On the contrary, secularization usually means total autonomy of the world and human beings regarding God and religion. Human beings understand themselves first and foremost on the horizon of immanence. What challenges does secularization pose, especially to Christian eschatology amid the pandemic situation we have been experiencing globally? Is it still possible to talk about the “last things”? How should Christian eschatology be rethought in the context of secularization and its challenges? Does the experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic for almost two years change anything in this regard? All Christian theologians have something to say about eschatology: biblical scholars, systematic, moral, and practical theologians. We will have some keynote speakers, but the meeting is by design interactive and participative. Therefore, all participants are asked to present a 5–7-minute contribution during the workshop.

Keynote speakers

Nicolas Steeves, SJ (Pontifical Gregorian University), Eschatology and imagination Marc Rastoin, SJ (Centre Sèvres), Saint Paul and Eschatology

Philip Geister, SJ (Newman Institute), Ultimate happiness or ultimate failure – heaven and hell in modern Christian eschatology

Gabino Uríbarri Bilbao, SJ (Comillas University), Eschatology and History. What does Christian hope promise us for this present world and for the coming one?

Timetable

July 6: arrivals, time to settle in and sightseeing

July 7: In the morning session Nicolas Steeves, SJ, from the Gregorian University and Marc Rastoin, SJ, from Centre Sèvres will approaches the theme of Eschatology from two different angles. Nicolas Steeves, SJ, will speak about Eschatology from the perspective of fundamental theology through the category of imagination. Marc Rastoin, SJ, as exegete, will approach the theme of Eschatology from the perspective of the teaching of Saint Paul. Both presentations will be followed by discussion. The afternoon will be devoted to workgroups. Their aim is to deepen individual reflection on various issues related to the topic of the Symposium.

July 8: In the morning session two dogmatic theologians, Philip Geister, SJ, from the Newman Institute and Gabino Uríbarri Bilbao, SJ, from Comillas University, will present their reflections on Eschatology and its challenges for the teaching of the Catholic Church. Both presentations will be followed by discussion. In the afternoon, we will visit the Royal Palace of Madrid, we will walk through the “Austrian Quartier” (Plaza de Oriente, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor…) and have Dinner in at traditional restaurant in Madrid.

July 9: Communications and concluding meeting The morning session will start by the sharing of the communications prepared by the participants (part II). After coffee break, we well have the concluding session. We will discuss how helpful such a meeting can be. Should we continue? If so, where, when, and what? How to integrate this kind of meeting into the Kircher Network. Eucharist, lunch, followed by some free time in Madrid and departures. In a nutshell The fourth Theological Symposium aims to bring together all theologians of our Jesuit Faculties of Theology in Europe, who would be ready to share their reflections and research related to the theme of eschatology. Everyone can find their place: biblical scholars, dogmatic theologians, specialists in spirituality or moral theology, as well as those whose reflection is carried out from a pastoral point of view. The symposium offers an opportunity to work together and get to know each other, and spend a good time as friends in the Lord.