The Center for Dialogue with Cultures and Religions in Asia (CDCRA), an activity that is under the supervision of the Master of the Order and is currently housed in the Center for Theology, Religious Studies and Ethics, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, co-hosted the conference on God and the World: Dialogues on Culture, Religion and Science last June 26-28, 2024. The conference was held in the auditorium of the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, where around one hundred seventy (170) participants joined onsite, and a few others joined online, including a few Dominican Friars from Pakistan, Colombia, and Mexico.
The conference featured five keynote lectures: Understanding Human Nature: Intrinsically Structured or Socially Determined? (Most Rev. Dennis Villarojo, DD, Ph.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Malolos, Philippines); The Christian Approach to Divine Creation in the Context of Scientific Worldview (Msgr. Prof. Marek Slomka, Ph.D., Dsc of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin); Thermodynamics and Religion (Prof. Acad. Fortunato Sevilla III, Ph.D. of the University of Santo Tomas); The Divine is Never Dead: Faith and Reason in the Age of Science, Technology, and Culture (Prof. Aurelio S. Agcaoili, Ph.D. of the University of Hawaii) and Harmony in Progress: Conversations on Sustainable Technology, Culture, and Faith (Prof. Christina Binag, Ph.D. of the University of Santo Tomas).
There were also six plenary talks: Headways, Hinges and Horizons: Exploring the Ethical Landscape of Artificial Intelligence (Prof. Agnes Ponsaran, Ph.D.), The Convergence of Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Theology: Bridging Minds, Machines, and Meaning (Engr. Seigfred V. Prado, Ph.D., SMIEEEo), Representation of Medieval Theology in Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose (Prof. Joyce L. Arriola, Ph.D.); Natural Law and Dialogue (Prof. Joel Sagut, Ph.D.), John Paul II’s Reflections on Technology and Humanity (Prof. Fleurdeliz Altez-Albela, Ph.D.), Pope Francis’ Pedagogy of Dialogue: The Church’s Ongoing Aggiornamento from Vatican II to Present (Assoc. Prof. Allan Basas, Ph.D.). All speakers were from the University of Santo Tomas (Manila), highlighting the Conference’s attempt to gather the various disciplines within the University and initiate the conversation among the fields or theology, philosophy, science, and culture. Six parallel sessions were also opened, with some sessions featuring the works of students, including undergraduate students. About ninety (90) papers were presented in these sessions.
Capping the event was the Roundtable discussion at the last session, the aim of which is to talk about the relevance and future directions of the dialogues on and between religion, culture and science. The roundtable discussion featured four resource persons: Prof. Philipina A. Marcelo, Ph.D., the Assistant to the Rector for UST Sta. Rosa, University of Santo Tomas, Manila; Rev. Fr. Jose Adriand Emmanuel L. Layug, Ph.D., Dean of Studies, Philosophy Department of the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary of Bulacan, Philippines; Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila; and Rev. Fr. Jamshed Albert Gill, OP, Socius of the Master of the Order of Preachers for Asia Pacific. Prof. Jove Jim Aguas, Ph.D., the Conference Convener and Executive Governor of the Philippine National Philosophical Research Society, moderated the session.
The Conference served as the second major conference of the CDCRA and is offered as a contribution to the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the canonization of St John Paul II. CDCRA collaborated with the Philippine National Philosophical Research Society (PNPRS) and the various departments of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila (namely, the Ecclesiastical Faculties, the Center for Theology, Religious Studies and Ethics, the Institute of Religion, the College of Science, the Graduate School and the Department of Philosophy) in holding this event.
