The official Newsletter of ASEACCU – The Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities
Aseaccu Newsletter
July 2023
The Newsletter is published two times a year (Summer and Winter) by the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic College and Universities.
Editorial
I write this editorial as we wrap up our academic year here in the heat and humidity of July in Macao, very much looking forward to the ASEACCU Conference at Saint Louis University, where the altitude brings cooling breezes that will be very welcome. It is hard to think that it was only a year ago that we met in Cambodia, so much has happened in the meantime.
Some of those events are recorded in this newsletter, where stories from across our region tell the tale of Catholic colleges and universities making a real difference, a substantial contribution to the lives of our students and the societies in which we function. From the matriculation ceremony of the Catholic University of Korea, where Archbishop Chung rightly identified that we are places where what matters is respect for human dignity, taking pride in fostering intellectual abilities, moral character and spirituality. This was echoed at Holy Angels University, Angeles City, in the first award to a Philippine university by the Character Education Partnership of the status “School of Character Education”. This work is vital and can only be achieved if our establishments are full of people who share this commitment. It is good, therefore, to read in this edition of the meeting of the Asian Academy for Campus Ministry at Ateneo de Davao, on the theme of “creating a culture of care of the whole person”.
I had the opportunity of visiting Assumption University in Thailand in April, just as they were about to celebrate the great Thai national festival of Songkran, the story of the university’s celebration provides the most colourful pictures in this newsletter.
Finally, I want to draw your attention to one concrete outcome of our conference last summer: the launch of the International Federation of Catholic Universities International Research Group on Memory and Identity. Five ASEACCU member universities are part of this research group (Assumption University Thailand, Santo Tomas Philippines, USJ Macao, St Paul Institute Cambodia and Notre Dame Australia) together with Catholic universities in Europe and the Middle East. Memory and Identity was the theme of our last conference and the proceedings have been published and are available here.
With my every good wish and in union of prayer.
The Rev’d Professor Stephen Morgan, Rector
University of Saint Joseph, Macao ASEACCU Executive Secretariat
ASEACCU Activities & Events
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On June 26th, the University of Saint Joseph’s (USJ) Xavier Centre for Memory and Identity and Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy organised a public lecture by Fr. Andrzej Sarnacki, SJ. from the Jesuit University Ignatianum in Krakow, Poland on Modern culture and the Catholic Church – European perspective. The lecture began with different interpretations of the Catholic Church’s positioning in European society as crises within and without have strained the perception of Christian faith and ethics in the public sphere. A distinction was made between ‘Christendom’, as something that has collapsed, and the Christian faith, which endures despite opposition from cultural Marxism in education and antagonistic atheism in the media. As the Catholic Church in Europe faces questions of legitimacy and relevance, Fr. Sarnacki pointed to the need for discernment over who to engage when carrying out Vatican II’s impetus to dialogue. He also called for Catholics to develop better recognition of competing ideologies in the public sphere so that Catholic identity can be reclaimed and the Church can reestablish its narrative and purpose.
This public lecture is part of a series of academic activities organized by the Xavier Centre for Memory and Identity and delivered by Fr. Sarnacki. In addition to two seminars on Leadership, Management Theories, and Catholic Social Teaching held this month, Fr. Sarnacki’s eight-session on course on “Christianity, Cultural Analysis, Violence and Peacebuilding” ends this week.
Campus ministry is an essential institutional arm to support faculty and students in many higher education institutions. In Asian countries, where students often belong to diverse faith traditions, campus ministers, who are typically Christians, must cater to the needs of a multi-faith and non-sectarian community. These ministers take on various roles, such as counselors, faculty members, and administrators, while advocating for and accompanying individuals through challenging times. They provide discernment and spiritual guidance, embodying qualities of care and presence.
Campus ministers strive to assist students in personal growth and integration by embracing a "ministry of presence," which is crucial for fostering holistic education centered around the spiritual formation.
To address the need for extended roles for ministry members, the United Board for Christian Higher Education and the Ateneo de Davao University recently hosted the Asian Academy for Campus Ministry (AACM) with the theme "Walking Together: Living a Culture of Care in Asia" from 25 May 2023 to 08 June 2023.
AACM gathered 29 campus ministers from colleges and universities across Asia, and some of them are members of the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU), for an intensive and transformative two-week residential training, reflecting the need for campus ministry to embrace a holistic approach that addresses the personal growth and well-being of students, faculty, and staff across various cultures and faith systems.
The AACM featured distinguished resource speakers, including experts in multi-faith chaplaincy, psychologists, theologians, campus ministers, and experienced personnel in student formation. Their insights and guidance provided valuable knowledge enhancement and transformational experiences for all participants.
AACM included discussion on various topics, such as investigating the vital role of integrating campus ministry in the institutional vision and mission; reviewing biblical resources and models of multi-faith campus ministry; developing communication and deep listening skills; tackling mental health awareness and meaning-making. The Academy also introduced frameworks rooted in Ignatian Spirituality, emphasizing the importance of contemplation, discernment, and social action in fostering spiritual growth.
One of the highlights of the program was the immersion experience in the Island Garden City of Samal, being one with the local villagers and walking with them. These experiences fostered a deeper understanding of the importance of empathy, compassion, and social engagement in campus ministry.
Overall, the Asian Academy for Campus Ministry was a success as it exemplified the commitment of the United Board for Christian Higher Education and Ateneo de Davao University to promote whole-person education and spiritual formation.
The Bishop Olivier's Cup 2023 was held on May 1st, 2023, at Saint Paul Institute (SPI) and Saint Francois Technical and Private High School in Tram Kak District, Takeo Province, with a total of around 1350 athletes and participants.
According to Mr. Phon Sophal, Director of Saint Paul Institute, this Bishop’s Cup 2023 has 53 teams from 28 different places in four kinds of sports, such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, and penque. This is the fourth event that the Saint Paul Institute (SPI) has hosted. Also, all competitions are refereed by professional referees to select the first, second, and third-place winners to receive awards from Bishop Olivier. In addition, Mr. Lay Sem, Director of the Department of Sports in Takeo Province, gave a speech on behalf of the department of sports throughout Takeo province. We are very pleased and proud to be part of Bishop Olivier's Cup 2023. He added that physical education and sports activities play essential roles in building human resources to be physically fit, intelligent, have good morals, have respectful discipline, be peaceful, and have good relations between each team.
H.E. Bishop Olivier, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, founder and Chancellor of Saint Paul Institute, expressed his happiness and pride that this Bishop Olivier's Cup 2023 event was organized while Cambodia is hosting the 32nd SEA Games and the 12th Para Games under the slogan "Sports Live in Peace". He said that this sports competition is organized with the aim of contributing to the government in the field of sports in Cambodia and providing the best gathering opportunity for young people as well as students and staff by increasing intimacy, friendship, and solidarity and also bringing good health. In order to run this sports competition smoothly, Bishop also advised all athletes to follow the schedules and conditions properly, have good morals, understand each other, not cause any violence, and maintain cleanliness.
The President-Rector Magnificus Rev. Brother Dr. Bancha Saenghiran and members of the Top Management of the Assumption University of Thailand led the celebration of the Thai Songkran Festival at the Suvaranabhumi campus on April 11, 2023.
Participating as MC, the Director of the Office of International Affairs fully participated in the event and posed for memorable photographs with some students as well.
The Catholic University of Korea held the 2023 Entrance Ceremony in Myeongdong Cathedral on Thursday, March 2, 2023, welcoming 2,075 first-year students. The ceremony, which took the form of a mass, was led by Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick, the chief director of the Catholic School, and the first-year students and their parents participated.
Shin Hyunseung of the Department of Theology took the matriculation oath on behalf of all first-year students of 2023 and pledged to work hard at the university. And three students, including Lee Yoonseo (Medicine, freshman), Kim Hochang (Pre-med, freshman), and Shin Hyunseung (Theology, freshman), received scholarship certificates as representatives of each campus.
"The Catholic University's founding philosophy is respect for human dignity, and it takes pride in fostering talents who are equipped with intellectual abilities, moral character, and spirituality rather than simply pursuing knowledge," said Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick. "I hope that students will develop as talents to serve global citizens while practicing love and service and realizing genuine truth in the CUK community."
"Catholic University will actively assist students in multiple directions to design their lives wisely by acquiring various knowledge and experience," said Catholic University President Fr. Luke Jongchul Won. "I wish they would enjoy campus life full of joy and hope while discovering their own talents and selves and realizing their potentials," he added as a blessing for the future of the first-year students.
Photo: Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick is leading a mass in Myeongdong CathedralPhoto: President Fr. Luke Jongchul Won is shaking hands with a student of Theology department freshman
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Photo: The students are throwing caps on their commencement day
The Catholic University of Korea "Spring 2023 Commencement" occurred at the Concert Hall at 2 PM on Thursday, February 16, 2023. In this ceremony, 987 bachelors, 222 masters, and 23 doctors received their diplomas.
There was also an award ceremony for outstanding graduates. Ahn Heebum (Psychology), Songsim Campus top honors graduate, received the President Award, Baek Seungyeon (Law) and 32 others received the Honors Award for Major, and Wi Seunghee (Biotechnology) and 177 others received the Outstanding Award. And Moon Seoyoung (Psychology) and 290 other graduates received ELP certificates.
"I am so proud of CUK members who worked hard and graduated despite the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic," said President Fr. Luke Jongchul Won at the commencement ceremony. He appreciated the resilience of students who overcame obstacles caused by the pandemic.
"The degree you earned at university, the experience of making decisions you met many times during your studies, and the friends you made in clubs and classrooms will serve as stepping stones for your new start and confidence. I hope you will walk confidently as a member of CUK to find what your heart truly desires and joy and hope," he added.
Photo: President Fr. Luke Jongchul Won is giving a speech at the Commencement Ceremony
On June 26th, the University of Saint Joseph’s (USJ) Xavier Centre for Memory and Identity and Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy organised a public lecture by Fr. Andrzej Sarnacki, SJ. from the Jesuit University Ignatianum in Krakow, Poland on Modern culture and the Catholic Church – European perspective. The lecture began with different interpretations of the Catholic Church’s positioning in European society as crises within and without have strained the perception of Christian faith and ethics in the public sphere. A distinction was made between ‘Christendom’, as something that has collapsed, and the Christian faith, which endures despite opposition from cultural Marxism in education and antagonistic atheism in the media. As the Catholic Church in Europe faces questions of legitimacy and relevance, Fr. Sarnacki pointed to the need for discernment over who to engage when carrying out Vatican II’s impetus to dialogue. He also called for Catholics to develop better recognition of competing ideologies in the public sphere so that Catholic identity can be reclaimed and the Church can reestablish its narrative and purpose.
This public lecture is part of a series of academic activities organized by the Xavier Centre for Memory and Identity and delivered by Fr. Sarnacki. In addition to two seminars on Leadership, Management Theories, and Catholic Social Teaching held this month, Fr. Sarnacki’s eight-session on course on “Christianity, Cultural Analysis, Violence and Peacebuilding” ends this week.
