Mangalore: Thinker Kappen Remodelled His Ideals for Social Transformation - Prof Tharakan 

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SB)

Mangalore, Nov 23: Under the joint aegis of Mangalore University, Mangalore Diocesan Chair in Christianity, Social Justice Forum, Mangalore and Catholic Priests’ Conference of India, a national seminar on the theme ‘Sebastian Kappen and The Role of Religion and Culture in Social Tranformation’ was organized at Jyothi Nivas Hall, Shanthi Kiran on Tuesday November 23.

In his inaugural address, Prof Dr Michael Tharakan, vice chancellor, Kannur University said that Sebastian Kappen who was away from scholasticism, and its essentialism, found in the Marxian tools of social analysis effective instruments to understand how countless people get alienated from their true freedom and lose their right to contribute to the wellbeing of society. Thus he was a good observer to remodel his ideas for the social transformation and was radically committed for world vision, he added.

Dr Jacob Parapally, MSFS, Bangalore presented his keynote paper on the theme ‘The Liberative Potential of the Christian and Hindu Religious Tradition in the vision of S Kappen.

Dr Joseph Lobo spoke on the topic ‘A critical appraisal of the theological legacy of Sebastian Kappen’, Dr X D Selvaraj, Tuticorin spoke on ‘The role of Culture in Social Transformation’, Dr M K George SJ, Director, Indian Social Institute, Bangalore delivered his speech on ‘Spirituality in the New Age of Colonization – A Critical Response to Fr Kappen’s thoughts’ while Dr Dexter Maben spoke on the topic ‘Decolonizing Theology: Challenges and Possibilities’.

Later group discussion and general sessions were held.

Dr John Fernandes, head of Chair in Christianity welcomed the gathering. Priya Roz compered the programme.