My Theological Journey
Preparation during my student days during Vatican Council 1962-65
I was fortunate to be student at the Pontifical Urban University from 1962 till 1967 covering the whole period of the Council. With an eye on the great world Council and its side-events, meeting the expert like Karl Rahner, Yves Congar, Ed. Scillebeeckx, Hans Kueng.......it was studies in Latin plus experiential ideas from the Council experts.
Both within the local church in Sri Lanka and with the Church in Vatican, I have had many misunderstandings and accusations to overcome. I have not raised these personal issues in public. But now during my last phase of life when I share my "experiential knowledge" of church and theology, I have to put down in writing some of my reflections for the benefit of others in similar circumstances.
On the whole, thanks be to God, I have enjoyed the trust and confidence of my bishops and brother priests and religious of the local church as well those of the Asian churches (FABC)
Responsibilities like vicar-general, rector of major seminaries, dean of theology, member of the theological advisory committee of the FABC....I have carried out to the best of my ability.
But the authorities of Rome were not very happy with me! why?
1. In 1979 as Dean of the theological Faculty of the National Seminary in Kandy,I participated in a conference of EATWOT - Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians, at the Holy Family Convent in Wennappuwa for a week. About 150 theologians from Latin America, Africa, Asia were participans. Its secretary was Fr.Tissa Balasuriya omi of Sri Lanka. During the conference naturally theologians freely expressed views - naturally some critical of western theology.
The papal nuncio from Colombo was also there. He approached me and requested that I write a confidential report to Rome about the conference. It was almost schoking and without any hesitation, I replied = your excellency, you are here whole time listening. why not you write it" This refusal was my act of non-cooperation with Roman authorities, but for me it was a request to spy on my brother theologians!
On the whole, thanks be to God, I have enjoyed the trust and confidence of my bishops and brother priests and religious of the local church as well those of the Asian churches (FABC)
Responsibilities like vicar-general, rector of major seminaries, dean of theology, member of the theological advisory committee of the FABC....I have carried out to the best of my ability.
But the authorities of Rome were not very happy with me! why?
1. In 1979 as Dean of the theological Faculty of the National Seminary in Kandy,I participated in a conference of EATWOT - Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians, at the Holy Family Convent in Wennappuwa for a week. About 150 theologians from Latin America, Africa, Asia were participans. Its secretary was Fr.Tissa Balasuriya omi of Sri Lanka. During the conference naturally theologians freely expressed views - naturally some critical of western theology.
The papal nuncio from Colombo was also there. He approached me and requested that I write a confidential report to Rome about the conference. It was almost schoking and without any hesitation, I replied = your excellency, you are here whole time listening. why not you write it" This refusal was my act of non-cooperation with Roman authorities, but for me it was a request to spy on my brother theologians!
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