Francisco Conesa Ferrer, Adjunct Professor of the School of Theology and President of the Basilica of St. Mary of Elche (Alicante), was in charge of pronouncing the lecture "Why the Philosophy in the priestly training ?" in the workshop Academic organized by the Schools of Theology and Ecclesiastics of Philosophy on the occasion of the celebration of St. Thomas Aquinas.

The speaker presented seven reasons why it is important for a seminarian to study Philosophy, inspired by the Fides et Ratio of St. John Paul II. The first is to attain the truth. He pointed out how truth is something that matters and must be sought: "that of the world and that of ourselves." Experimental sciences help in this search, but "they do not provide the keys to decipher the meaning of our existence," the professor said. "Man questions himself about his history, about his identity. To give up questioning is to give up what is properly human". In this task two enemies are discovered: relativism and the scientistic mentality. "Truth is not a monolithic whole; we access it progressively. It is a common search of humanity, in which dialogue and pluralism are very important.

To reach a critical vision of reality was the second reason given by Professor Conesa. "It is necessary to learn to think, to distance oneself and to do so with a critical sense". The third is that it serves to structure the mind. He commented on the importance of acquiring intellectual, scientific and mental habits obtained by applying reason. "It is necessary to transmit the habit of thinking and the Philosophy is a habit that comes from the love of truth". It is good to strive to ensure that "students acquire a philosophical way of thinking ".

The fourth reason given by the speaker was that by studying Philosophy one learns to think. "You have to teach how to ask questions, to teach how to look." This requires a "time of serene study and training in conceptual rigor and argumentation". He explained that "human reason is a necessary condition for faith and financial aid to make it communicable". Studying Philosophy is indispensable for theological training . "Theological reflection presupposes philosophical reflection and Theology cannot exist without Philosophy. If you really want to know the mystery of Christ," he said to the students who filled the classroom Magna of the ecclesiastical building of programs of study , "study Philosophy".

 

 

The Philosophy is important in the life of the pastor. "Christ the shepherd is also Christ the teacher. The priest has to learn from Christ to carry the sheep, but also to educate them. To be a good shepherd, one must be formed intellectually," he said. And finally the Philosophy as a way of life. "It is not only an academic question. If Philosophy is the search for truth, it involves the whole person. But man aspires not only to the truth but also to the good. The Philosophy itself has an enormous capacity for seduction. Our task is to teach how to taste it, to savor it". And he referred to Clement of Alexandria who defined the Philosophy as the third testament given to the Greeks to prepare them for Christianity.