Celebration of the Academic Year 2007-2008 (18.10.07) - ISTITUTO DI STUDI ECUMENICI SAN BERNARDINO

The celebration of the 2007-2008 Academic Year at ISE has been notable for many reasons. Among others, the presence of: Br. Johannes Freyer Rector of the University Antonianum of Roma, Br. Vincenzo Battaglia Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Massimo Cacciari the Maire of Venice and His Excellence Zervos Gennadios the Orthodox Bishop of Venice; the inaugural lecture was given by His Excellence Mons. Bruno Forte a former professor at the Institute and current Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto, and finally the remembrance of Mons. Luigi Sartori.

The mood of the gathering was set by the introductory message given by the Rector Br. Johannes Freyer, who reminded us that, although we are living in an age of globalization which allows us to be very close to each other surpassing the limits of space and time, however contemporaneously we have never been so far apart; in such an environment ISE takes a particularly important role within the University Antonianum, in the sense that we are called not simply to be teachers but to be good models of listening and dialogue.

An enticing topic was the introductory lecture by Mons. Bruno Forte: Beauty, a pathway to unity. The renowned theologian describes beauty as the cathedral of the Spirit, answering to modern utopia of globalization and absolutising fragmentation, which exiled beauty being evocations of the infinite. It is necessary to rediscover beauty which ultimately is the only quality to save mankind. Two main ways are mentioned to interpret beauty: the Western path covered by Augustine, who became a convert after being touched by beauty, and by Thomas who found his answer in the eagerness of beauty in the Christological pathway and specifically in the way of the Cross where God disclosed love and the strength of charity. In the Eastern world the primacy leans to mystery not to knowledge: man, thirsty for beauty, is enveloped by the blinding light of Mt. Tabor and becomes one with it when he gives way to the light emanated from the icon of the divine. Therefore beauty is a way to unity, because it is a way to simplification, leading to the Centre and to the heart. Spiritual ecumenism is a place of beauty because it leads us to the Centre which is Christ crucified; the common testimony is the place where the beauty of our actions shines; the beauty of liturgy represents the charity of Christ.

The maire-phylosopher Massimo Cacciari, invited to respond, has livened up the assembly underlining that, while beauty is certainly the way to reconciliation and subsequently the way favoured by ecumenism, at the same time, it is one of the points on which the most distance among churches has been based. A demonstration of this is of the problem of icons, closeness and distance instead must be considered together.

Remembering Mons. Luigi Sartori, Br. Tecle pointed that Br. Luigi above all played a prominent part in the foundation and development of ISE. The idea to found an Institute specializing on ecumenism was devised by Sartori: he proposed it to the managers of CEI and the Veneto Province of the Minor Friars. Br. Luigi not only lavished his intelligence, teachings and writings into the Institute, but especially the warmth of his love for truth, unity and the church. The history of ISE and Br. Luigi's life are and remain strongly intertwined and inseparable.

The academic performance ended with a surprise: Br. Tecle, who at the age of 70 officially concludes his academic activity at ISE, was paid hommage to with a voluminous publication titled: Ecumenism as conversion, a token of his colleagues' affection, and with a magnificent artistic glasspiece from Murano, in the form of a sailing boat, the symbol of ecumenism and ISE.