The St John School of Philosophy and Theology in Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra, has celebrated its silver jubilee by stressing the need for priests to modernize their pastoral service.

The 15 month-long celebration, which began in August 2010 and ended on October 23, included animation of liturgy in parishes, better understanding of the Bible and a Mass concelebrated by Capuchin Bishop Martinus Dogma Situmorang of Padang, two other Sumatra bishops and the apostolic nuncio to Indonesia, Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi.

During the Mass closing the celebration, Archbishop Filipazzi reminded priests, students and alumni that reasoning must also take into account material and transitory matters.

“Reasoning must be open to all existing realities.”

A theologian, he said, “must be open to the greatness of God … which is beyond anything our weak reasoning can comprehend.”

The Italian apostolic nuncio later recalled that Pope Benedict XVI had asked Indonesian bishops visiting him recently to pay attention to education, which is good for the life of Religious. “Thus, this school deserves special attention.”

In his homily, Bishop Situmorang stressed the importance of balancing intellectuality and personality.

“All ordained and non-ordained pastoral workers produced by this school should be resourceful and caring when conducting charity and pastoral work,” he said.

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