ADDRESS
BY HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL CRESCENZIO SEPE,
I am extremely pleased to be here today at this great center of learning that is proudly and distinctively Asian, yet reaching out to the entire world. And in the faces of the young people who are among the audience or in the auditorium, we all can see the shining promises of tomorrow. With gladness, I bring to you all the greetings and the blessing of Pope John Paul II, who has requested me to express to you also his sincere appreciation for the important work you are doing in the field of education in this Country. In addition, I am greatly honored by the Honorary Degree of "Doctor of Laws" conferred on me by the Assumption University, one of most prestigious universities in the Kingdom of Thailand. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Reverend Brother President of the Assumption University and the University council, with the concurrence of the Ministry for Education of the Royal Thai Government, for bestowing upon me this honor. I have another reason to be even more grateful and delighted as I am fortunate enough to have this academic honor of Thailand during the year in which the Thai people joyfully celebrates the 6th cycles of the Royal Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, the Holy See and the Kingdom of Thailand commemorate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary since the eventful visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II in Thailand in May 1984, which, in fact, was an important tribute to the Catholic community that strives to live the life of Chirst in all its dimensions and to the long existed friendly relations between the Holy See and the Siam. I consider this award not only as a personal commendation but also as a meaningful recognition of the significant role played by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, together with its various associated pontifical institutions and organizations in Rome and throughout the world. Likewise, it is a reassuring gesture for the unquestionably extraordinary contribution made by the Catholic Church in Thailand to the educational needs of its motherland, enhanced by the excellent collaboration of the experienced Montfort Brothers of Saint Gabriel as experts in the field of education and many other religious congregations and orders, who, being faithful to their proper identity and outstanding traditions, perform efficiently their noble mission in educational and intellectual domain. At this special moment, allow me to express my profound gratitude to His Holiness Pope John Paul II for entrusting me with the high office of Prefect of the aforesaid Sacred Congregation, which "has behind it a long and illustrious history, and is given, among the many tasks, the charge of promoting research in mission theology, spirituality and pastoral work" (PB Art.86) and "of playing a role of primary importance with regard to reflection and programs of action which the Church needs in order to be more decisively oriented toward the mission in its various forms " (RM 75). This is the motive for which our Congregation has founded and assists the Pontifical Urban University. I am truly indebted to the Pope for his continued insistence of on the fundamental values to be inculcated in the Catholic Universities run by the local Churches under the jurisdiction of the Missionary Dicastery. In his latest book of autobiographical nature, entitled' "Alzatevi, Andiamo!" "Get up, let us go", the Holy Father wrote "It is well known 'that not all bishops are particularly interested in a dialogue with scholars. Many of them give greater priority to their pastoral responsibilities, understood in the broadest sense, than to their rapport with men of learning. In my view, however, members of the clergy, priests and bishops, do well to take the trouble to establish personal contacts with the academic world and its leading figures. A bishop, in particular, should be concerned not only with his own Catholic academic institutions, but should also maintain close links with the whole university world: reading, meeting others, discussing, informing himself about their activities. Obviously, he himself is not called to be a scholar but a pastor. Yet as a pastor, he cannot fail to take an interest in this part of his flock, since it is his task to remind scholars of their duty to serve the truth and thus to promote the common good" (p.72-73) Visiting Thailand this time, I am happy to witness the significant achievements that creative people of Thailand have recorded in their cause of building up a prosperous country. These accomplishments are not possible without the development of an effective system of education which is well satisfied by the Assumption University. The University has played a significant role in shaping a group of intelligentia who have contributed directly to the progress of the country. Besides, it gives me another opportunity to experience in a deeper manner the solid human values on which Thai social life and culture are based through their customs and traditions. Now let me come to the theme assigned to me: "Catholic Education in Thailand". Education has always been an important field of service for the Catholic Church. Since the Middle Ages, the Church, notably through religious communities, has been at the forefront in the field of education. The few educational institutions that existed were the schools of cathedrals and monasteries, and the ecclesial universities. The beginning of 16th century witnessed the flourishing of many religious orders and congregations that were dedicated to the educational apostolate, especially education to the poor who were deprived of a systematic education. St. Jerome Emiliani founded the Congregation of the Somascan Fathers for the education of orphans. The Somascans also opened schools for the nobles; St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria founded the Bamabites, who built schools and colleges and educated outstanding figures in the fields of research and the professions; The Jesuits, founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola, exercised a great influenced in the period of Renaissance humanism and the Counter-Reformation. St. John de la Salle founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a congregation dedicated exclusively to education; Don Bosco, founded the Salesians, and together with St. Dominica Maria Mazzarello, also the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians who engaged themselves in the same field. They were inspired by the principle of preventive education to form honest citizens and good Christians; St. Angela Merici founded the Society of Ursulines, St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, founder of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel and Father Louis Chauvet and Mother Marie-Anne de Tilly, founded the Congregation of Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, just to name a few, are leading figures in the field of education and the formation of youth to understand the influence exercised by consecrated persons. In his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Asia" the Holy Father expressed: "Throughout Asia, the Church's involvement in education is extensive and highly visible and is therefore a key element of her presence among the peoples of the continent. In many countries, Catholic schools play an important role in evangelization, inculturating the faith, teaching the ways of openness and respect, and fostering interreligious understanding" (EA.37). In the same way, the Catholic university is a very important participant in this effort of the Church. The Catholic university is indeed a major center of thought and inspiration in the Church. It is deeply committed to dialogue between faith and reason, and therefore to dialogue between people of differing religious and cultural convictions, in particular to "assist the Church in the manner most appropriate to modern times to find cultural treasures both old and new, "nove et vetera ", according to the words of Jesus " (EA 10). Catholic teaching in Thailand is generally considered to have begun in 1665 when, some year after arrival, King Narai the Great benevolently granted the first missionaries of Foreign Mission of Paris land for the purpose of founding a "college". According to a creditable source of information, those French missionaries had a theological school, a school for boys sent by the King, and a small school for Christians. This school was called General College. It was the first Catholic school in Thailand. Later on parish schools were opened in provinces along with churches e.g. at Phuket, in the south in 1671; at Lopuri in 1673; at Bangkok in 1674; at Phisanulok in 1675 and at Chanburi in 1707. The first Catholic school, General College, of Ayuthya period was renowned for its academic excellence. Even pupils of lower grade could converse in Latin while playing marbles. One of the students later went to France to defend his doctoral thesis at the Sorbonne. The whole of Paris was present. The prelates were there in great number and all admitted that one can not be better satisfied with what this Siamese has done. After the Kingdom of Siam was re-established in Bangkok in 1767, the French missionaries resumed their educational work in the new capital. From the records of the mission, we find new schools opened in 1796 at Santa Cruz; in 1772 at Calvary Church; in 1785 at the Assumption parish; in 1834 at St. Francis Xavier parish at Samsen. In the annual report of the Catholic Mission in 1908, there were about 50 Catholic schools with nearly 4000 pupils in all in Thailand. A glance at the involvement of the Church in Thailand in educational field shows us that in 2003 there were 279 from Kindergartens to Secondary Schools, with 21,480 teachers and with 431,818 students; 20 Technical-Professional Schools, with 1,015 teachers and with 10,806 students, 2 Higher Institutions, with 99 teachers and 828 students; 2 Universities, with ,1,182 teachers and 21,540 students. In this context, it is notable that the Assumption University has to its credit the real character of having members from around 65 countries. In fact, the opus in favor of education of the Church in Thailand is most valuable. In his address on the occasion of the "adLimina" visit of the Catholic Bishops of Thailand, among the expressions of appreciation, the Holy Father noted "Though the Catholic community in Thailand forms a small minority, it is nevertheless held in high esteem for the good work that is being done in the fields of health care and education. Your Catholic schools provide instruction of a high standard, and this makes an invaluable contribution to the life of the Church and of society. By its very nature Catholic education aims not only to provide knowledge and training but also, and more importantly, to transmit a coherent vision of life, shaped by the Gospel, which will enable young people to grow in true wisdom and freedom. Contemporary society urgently needs such educational institutions to provide a solid moral training and help students to acquire the virtues and skills required for the service of God and neighbor" (OR n.264, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2001, p. 4). His Excellency Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, Primer Minister of Thailand expressed, in his Keynote-address at the opening Session of World Congress organized by the International Catholic Union of the Press (UCIP) at Mater Dei School in Bangkok on October 13, 2004, expressed: "From my part, I am well aware of the important role that the Catholic Church has played in the promotion of education in Thailand for over three centuries, through the establishment of many outstanding schools and universities. I, myself am the proud product of Montfort College in my home town of Chiang Mai, where I received not only a very sound education but also exposure to many noble Catholic values...". In short, the Catholic educational institutions: primary, secondary and professional schools, colleges and universities alike, which serve people of all religions, are dedicated to the development of the whole human person through a distinctively Catholic environment, with constant reference to the Gospel and Christian principles. In this way, the Catholic schools serve not only the Church but society as a whole by forming young people to be responsible and upright citizens. Respected Brother President, Teaching and Non-teaching Staff, Students of the Assumption University and distinguished guests, The remarkable contribution of the Assumption University made in the field of education demands from all who benefited directly and indirectly of the same, to render a deep-felt gratitude to God who chose it as his instrument. Also our appreciation goes to your Alma Mater Studiorum, who knew how to be an efficient tool of divine graces in channeling that true wisdom in a given cultural context without discrimination. As there are challenges to face, so the opportunities to seize and I am confident that you have great potentialities to commit yourself to your apostolate of education for the many year to come so that new achievements of your noble mission in training more talented people for the building up of an ever more prosperous Thailand and especially to help prepare generations of students who engage life more fully, with professional skills and knowledge, accompanied by sound moral principles and authentic religious values, in rendering true honor for the Church and Nation. It is my great privilege, therefore, to be here today to receive the Doctoral Degree Honoris Causa and to reaffirm the enduring engagements of the Catholic Church in missionary territories for the cause of education. May the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom and Star of Evangelization, obtain for this University, and indeed for every Catholic University, the grace to rise up to the occasion with openness, generosity and competence in their noble mission. Once again, thank you very much for your kind attention and patience. God bless you all!
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Eminence,
Excellencies,