In the heart of Rome, at the renowned Pontifical Gregorian University, in collaboration with the Acton Institute, an event unfolded on Tuesday, March 12th, awakening consciences and inspiring action. "Truth, Justice & Freedom in a Pluri-Anthropological World," held in a packed auditorium, courageously tackled the challenges that threaten our understanding of truth, justice, and freedom in the contemporary world.
Among the distinguished speakers who brought their insights and experiences to the discussion, Professor Myroslav Marynovych, Vice-Rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University of Lviv and co-founder of Amnesty International Ukraine, presented a poignant testimony of his struggle for truth. As a survivor of the Soviet totalitarian regime, Marynovych offered a unique perspective on the human cost of oppressive ideologies and the vital importance of resisting oppression in defense of fundamental human rights. His voice resonated strongly, reminding us that the fight for freedom is an ongoing commitment that requires courage and sacrifice.
Additionally, the passionate discourse of Dr. Michael Miller, Senior Researcher at the Acton Institute, illuminated the roots of our anthropological understanding, highlighting the crucial role of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in countering desperate philosophies that undermine human dignity. Through a profound analysis of the fallacious anthropologies that permeate our society, Miller offered a rejuvenating perspective on the beauty and strength of Christian anthropology in guiding our thoughts and actions.
Simultaneously, Reverend Professor Joao Vila-Cha of the Pontifical Gregorian University emphasized the crucial importance of defending truth and justice in a political context dominated by technical and "woke" ideologies. Through a sharp analysis of the politics of the person, Vila-Cha invited participants to reflect on the political implications of our understanding of human dignity, emphasizing the need for constant commitment to the common good and social justice.
Finally, Reverend Robert Sirico, founder of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offered a unique and powerful perspective on enterprise, freedom, and civil society, according to authentic anthropology. Through a reinterpretation of the Church's social doctrine, Sirico highlighted the crucial role of enterprise and freedom in promoting human dignity and social prosperity, emphasizing the importance of an authentic anthropological vision in shaping economic and social policies.
In the context of the event, Michael Severance, Director of the Acton Institute in Rome, explained that it is essential to awaken the collective conscience and reaffirm the beauty and strength of Judeo-Christian anthropology. "Everything is now at risk of being cut off from God's plan for man himself and for his happiness and rightful fulfillment. I refer to a kind of 'self-made man' who has emancipated himself from God to create the 'plastic man,' 'trans man,' or 'economic man,' which together represent false or partial visions of the human person and, consequently, threaten a dangerous and false ideological application of human anthropology in the construction of a free society. Thus, in these terms, Saint John Paul II warned us in his prophetic encyclical Centesimus Annus back in 1991," he declared.
Furthermore, Severance added that "a student asked me before the event if we would discuss the theme of the Eco-Entrepreneur. I reiterated that not the Eco-Entrepreneur but rather the Ego-Entrepreneur, in the sense that now we all want to reinvent our own self according to a radically egoist vision."
In conclusion, "Truth, Justice & Freedom in a Pluri-Anthropological World" provided an extraordinary platform for dialogue and reflection, bringing together enlightened minds and passionate hearts in a common mission to unveil the shadows and illuminate the path toward a new dawn of truth, justice, and freedom. The event demonstrated that, even in the face of the greatest challenges, courage, determination, and solidarity can pave the way to a brighter and more just future for all.
The Acton Institute is a think-tank whose mission is to promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles.
