A Catholic university in the Philippines has launched a series of online lectures on church history tracing the country’s journey to Catholicism since the arrival of the Spanish.
The University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) wants people to know how Christianity spread in a country composed of thousands of islands. The lectures titled the “Philippine Church History Webinar Series” are being held every Saturday from Feb. 13 until April 17, to mark the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines when Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan first set foot in the Philippines as part of a Spanish expedition in 1521. They also aim to deepen a sense of history in appreciating the Catholic faith as a gift. “The webinar series will examine and analyze the challenges and responses that the Church encountered as it expanded and developed throughout the Philippine islands,” the department said in a social media post.
Distinguished Catholic historians Paul Dumol and Grace Conception are among the speakers. Dumol, a renowned playwright and author, discussed the beginnings of the Catholic Church with the Filipinos’ struggle for justice during the Spanish period. Conception is to discuss on April 10 the Church’s modern-day challenges such as post-modernism and relativism. The seminars feature the works of American Jesuit historian Father John Schumacher, who taught history at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University for over 40 years.
Clergymen are encouraging people to attend the webinars as part of an attempt to deepen the identity of Filipino Catholics.
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Harrison Okafor
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Judith is a believer, a lover of Christ and a Gospel freak person. A passionate gospel blogger and press writer. I work with GospelHitsNaija.net Media, no 1 Gospel music platform.
