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 News of the Institute and Lasallian Family
Rome, December 22, 1998
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 Message from Br. Gerard Rummery, General Counselor and Chief Presenter
The theme of this APLEC - Lasallian Shared Mission in the Asian Pacific Region and in particular in the context of religious pluralism is a reminder both of the complex and variegated circumstances in which Lasallian educators work in Pacific-Asia. Since the opening of the first Lasallian schools in Penang and Singapore 146 years ago, the Brothers have continually been open to expanding and diversifying their educational work as new needs have presented themselves.
Most of the present Lasallian works began in countries which were still under colonial rule. It was natural, therefore, that the first Brothers unconsciously carried with them a certain sense of cultural and perhaps even religious "superiority" as they addressed themselves to bringing the young people whom they taught to reach the educational levels determined by European countries. In the aftermath of the Second World War most Asian and Pacific countries have achieved their independence. All Lasallian educators have, of necessity, come to a more developed sense of the importance of the ancient cultures in which they are privileged to live and work.
It is in the religious domain that this change has been most apparent. If the first Brothers, as men of their time, arrived with a certain Missionary vision of promoting Catholic Christianity, their long-term experience led them to a deep respect for the traditional religious practices of the majority of their students. It is in this latter aspect that an important interreligious dialogue has grown up, especially in Asia, as students who are variously Hindu, Buddhist, Moslem, Confucianist or followers of traditional religions, learn to live with one another as well as to dialogue with their Christian teachers. Everyone has been enriched by this contact.
As the Lasallian schools of today expand with an increasing number of the present educators coming from the great religions of Asia, there has developed from what might be called the initial dialogue of presence to one another, something which is better understood as a dialogue of life, as initial tolerance grows towards a more profound understanding and respect.
How this has happened, and what else remains to be done, are some of the questions to be explored during this conference. The hope of the organizers is that such a deepening may help to create a better appreciation of the different religious traditions among young people in Lasallian schools. Such an appreciation, in its turn, besides leading to a better mutual understanding, can help our young people to think deeply on the important questions which these various religious traditions address about the meaning of life and so help the discovery of those permanent values needed to live in peace and harmony with others. |
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