Three European conferences feature Aquinas, Catholic Social Teachings Br. Rudolf Seño, OP

Br. Rudolf Seño, OP represented the Philippine Province in three separate conferences. The first conference was held in the University of Warsaw, Poland. It was a three-day event (May 28-30, 2025) with the theme: Aquinas: Strategies and Methods. The speakers identified the particular strategies and methods Aquinas used as a theologian, philosopher, logician, and an exegete.  

The topics also explored Aquinas’ concept of correct ways of thinking. Some of the participants were Timothy Bellamah, OP (Leonine Commission), Eleonore Stump (Saint Louis University), Robert Miner (author of Thomas Aquinas on the Passions), Constant Mews (Monash University, Melbourne), and Harm Goris (Tilburg University).  

In this conference Br. Seño delivered his paper entitled, “An Aristotelian-Thomistic Critique of Umberto Eco’s Concept of the Power of Falsity.” Using Aquinas concept and method of knowing the truth, he proved that the power of falsity is ultimately dependent on truth.  Falsity can only be serendipitous if it is accompanied by truths.  The larger the accompanying truth, the better the outcome.  Some of the serendipitous falsities like superstitions could also be viewed as smaller truths in disguise.  

The second conference was held in the Dominican Convent in Prague, Czech Republic.  It was also a three-day conference (June 5-7) having the theme Aquinas: Universal Doctor.  Some of the speakers were Michael Sherwin, OP; Rupert Mayer, OP; Vivian Boland, OP; Reginald Lynch, OP; Philip-Neri Reese, OP; Rudi Te Velde; Brian Carl; Daniel de Haan; Gyula Klima; Turner Nevitt; Patrick Zoll, SJ.  

In this conference Br. Seño delivered his paper entitled, “Some Contributions of Thomas Aquinas’ Philosophy in  Making Sense of Some Difficult Biblical Texts.”  He made sense of the difficult texts of the bible that seem to portray God as being violent and inconsistent.  

Using the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas, he proposed that it was possible to accept the bible literally and understand God as truly reasonable and loving at the same time. This gives justice both to the Bible as the word of God and to the reader as a critical interpreter. 

The third conference was held in the Seminary of the Missionary Fathers in Krakow, Poland. It was a three-week Summer Seminar from July 7 to 26, 2025.  It was organized by the Tertio Millennio Institute and the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington. The lectures revolve around culture, politics, and the economy of the free society, democracy, and capitalism. 

The participants reflected on contemporary history in view of the social teaching of the Church, particularly in reference to John Paul II.  Some of the professors were George Weigel (one of America’s leading public intellectuals), Russel Hittinger, Nick and Mary Eberstadt. 

The event was intended to be a short program that was designed for the formation of future Catholic leaders. It included the sacrament of reconciliation, daily mass and Eucharistic adoration, as well as pilgrimages. The participants visited Auschwitz and places significant to the life of John Paul II.  Br. Seño was the first Filipino participant to be awarded a scholarship that covers tuition fees, lodging, meals, and excursions.