Opening of the Event was Attended by Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu
Photo: Camila Cunha
On the theme of Holiness and Public Responsibility, the 2nd International Congress of Theology started on Monday, October 7th, in the Auditorium of PUCRS Building 9 (Av. Ipiranga, 6681 – Porto Alegre/RS). The event, promoted by PUCRS Graduate Program in Theology, had the purpose of promoting a theological-pastoral reflection on the experience of holiness in the public space of contemporary society, illuminated by Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate, written by Pope Francis. Program activities were developed until October 9th.
The opening session was attended by Italian Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, PhD in Canon Law at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints in 2018. The cardinal delivered the lecture Gaudete et Exsultate: a response to human aspirations. The cardinal pointed out that Holiness and Public Responsibility is an extremely challenging theme in our days. “Developing it in a university environment shows love and courage,” he said. In his conference, Giovanni Angelo Becciu also highlighted the ecclesiastical experience. “Holiness does not set us apart from human life; it rather integrates us with it to make it more beautiful through the struggle for the common good. Holiness is in the small gestures of everyday life.”
In his speech, Br. Evilázio Teixeira, President of the University, stressed PUCRS Catholic commitment. “A Catholic university is committed to ethical and responsible training. It is a pleasure and an honor to be a space for reflection on a theme that explores the public responsibility of Christians,” he said.
The opening ceremony also had in its main table the presences of Don Giovanni d’Aniello, Italian Catholic Archbishop and current Apostolic Nuncio in Brazil; Don Jaime Spengler, Metropolitan Archbishop of Porto Alegre, Vice President of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil and PUCRS Chancellor; Bishop Leomar Brustolin, the Auxiliary Bishop of Porto Alegre; and Draiton Gonzaga de Souza, Dean of PUCRS School of Humanities. In the morning, the authorities were welcomed by PUCRS President, as well as Vice President Jaderson Costa da Costa.
