Monsignor Auza: "Missionaries are great heroes of the human rights of indigenous peoples".

"Missionaries are great heroes of the human rights of indigenous peoples". This is what Mons. Bernardito Cleopas Auza, His Holiness' Nuncio in Spain, affirmed at the University. His words are part of the visit he made to the School of Theology, where he participated in a commemorative workshop of the V centenary of the evangelisation of the Philippines.

Auza emphasised the significance of the arrival of the first expedition that circumnavigated the world. He stated that Magellan had already experienced a change when he got to know the religiosity of the natives of the islands, and from then on he understood that the purpose of the voyage they were making was more to evangelise than to search for spices. He also highlighted the contribution made by Spanish missionaries in the 15th and 16th centuries to the evangelisation and civilisation of the indigenous peoples. This evangelising work was accompanied by a strong defence of the human rights of the new peoples. The debates on these rights were known in the courts and tribunals of the crown in Spain thanks to their experiences.

As a consequence, while the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted in 2007, as early as 1511, Antonio de Montesinos publicly preached in Santo Domingo about the injustices of some colonisers towards the indigenous people.

More than 300 Filipino students have studied at Schools Ecclesiastics

The Dean of the School of Theology, Gregorio Guitián, recalled that this workshop is an opportunity to look with perspective at the evangelisation of the Philippines carried out by so many people, moved by the love of God and their brothers and sisters: "Today it is a joyful reality that the Philippine Church gives back to many countries what it used to receive and is a powerful missionary force in many countries of the West". Today in the Philippines 82% of the population is Catholic and it is the only Asian country with a majority of people professing this religion.

He also emphasised the abundant reasons to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the evangelisation of the Philippines. "There are more than 300 students who have been trained in the University's Ecclesiastical Schools , to which we must add the many others who have studied civil studies. It is our hope that their time at the University will leave them with a lively desire to serve society and the Church.

Gregorio Guitián reiterated his thanks to Bishop Auza for his presence at the University; to the speakers, Professor Inmaculada Alva and Professor José Alviar; and to the participants, including Archbishop Francisco Pérez, Archbishop of Pamplona, and Bishop Ignacio Barrera, Vice Chancellor of the University.

Bishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza (PDF)