Articles by Ruben C Mendoza
Journal of Dharma, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant challenge to governments all over the world. In many... more The COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant challenge to governments all over the world. In many ways, it has exposed the weaknesses of the Philippine government and its structures. While the government rightly imposed a lockdown on its people, it resulted in the marginalization of the poor. If only government policies and programs were informed by the Catholic social tradition, the government would be in a better position of truly being at the service of its people. The crisis presents a unique opportunity to the government to rethink of its structures and projects that would enable it to contribute to the formation of communities that foster human dignity and development.
In this reflection, I address the question of the Catholic Church's mission in Muslim Mindanao as... more In this reflection, I address the question of the Catholic Church's mission in Muslim Mindanao as it responds to the long-standing aspiration of the Moros for self-determination. First, I give an overview of the dialogue between Filipino Christians and Moros, contextualizing this within Philippine history, the changes brought about by Vatican II, and the contemporary challenge of overcoming prejudices. And second, I ask what kind of voice the church must speak if it is to be a credible gospel witness in Bangsamoro. It seems to me that the church needs to be a voice of compassion, justice, and peace in a context that has seen so much violence. In addition, I will suggest that there are two Filipino values, namely pakikipagkapwa-tao and pakikiramay, which are already operative in those who engage in dialogue and peacebuilding efforts, but which need to be foregrounded as cultural resources in responding to the conflict. As ecclesia semper reformanda est, conversion will always be an indispensable element of its journey toward the realization of the Kingdom in Muslim Mindanao.
At the heart of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference (FABC), the understanding of "a new w... more At the heart of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference (FABC), the understanding of "a new way of being Church" in Asia is the principle of the incarnation. Just as Jesus Christ assumed the fullness of humanity, the Church in Asia is also called to assume all that is Asian. For the FABC, to be incarnated implies that the Church be truly immersed in the life-realities of its peoples, reads the signs of the times, engages in triple dialogue in its mission of love and service, and builds up the local church. It is only in this manner that the Church in Asia will truly have an "Asian face."
The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) has consistently stressed the urgency of evan... more The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) has consistently stressed the urgency of evangelization in Asia, a task that demands sensitivity to the continent's cultural and religious patrimony. As part of its ongoing efforts to root the Christian faith in Asian soil, the FABC organized and held the first Asian Mission Congress (AMC) in Thailand with the theme, "Telling the Story of Jesus in Asia." Pastoral and catechetical in intent, the AMC explored the viability of story-telling as a mode of mission in Asia. Following the triple-dialogue methodology of the FABC, each day of the AMC was devoted to one of these: dialogue with the peoples of Asia (particularly the poor), dialogue with the religious traditions of Asia, and dialogue with the diverse cultures of Asia.
Among the recent approaches to religious pluralism is what has been called "the turn to the Holy ... more Among the recent approaches to religious pluralism is what has been called "the turn to the Holy Spirit." 1 Theologians who employ the pneumatological approach regard it as a way out of the traditional impasses that have hindered developments in the theology of religions. 2 For instance, the Pentecostal theologian Amos Yong identifies three advantages of a pneumatological approach to other religions. 3 First, he considers pneumatology as the key to overcoming the dualism between Christological particularity and the cosmic Christ. The either/or of particularity/universality dissolves when one recalls that the historical Jesus was who he was because of the Spirit of God and that the risen Christ was resurrected by the power of the Spirit. Second, pneumatology is the key to understanding the tension between what has traditionally been labelled specific and natural revelation. While it does not deny these categories, pneumatology emphasizes the dynamism of revelation and salvation rather than dualisms. Third, pneumatology enables us to transcend questions related to other religions not merely as human efforts to reach the divine because this approach emphasizes the universality of the Spirit and the dynamic nature of divine activity. Thus, Yong sees pneumatological approach as offering a way of moving the conversation forward.
Book Reviews by Ruben C Mendoza
Papers by Ruben C Mendoza
Reviews in Religion & Theology, 2009
Reviews in Religion & Theology, 2006
Reviews in Religion & Theology, 2007
The ecumenical experience has shown that one of the greatest sticking points between dialogue par... more The ecumenical experience has shown that one of the greatest sticking points between dialogue partners is surprisingly not our traditional doctrinal divisions but rather the manner by which such divisions might be settled. Meaningful unity requires authority, yet the expression and reception of authority is precisely what so often divides us. Keelan Downton's study on authority in the church speaks within this ecumenical situation, offering penetrating insights into the root causes of division and constructive suggestions for the process of reconciliation.
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Articles by Ruben C Mendoza
Book Reviews by Ruben C Mendoza
Papers by Ruben C Mendoza