St. John’s University Hosts Summit for International Catholic Leaders

Last month, St. John’s University hosted a summit whose overarching goal was training lay Catholics to become leaders working for societal change. Four international cardinals attended, along with more than 125 people from 22 mostly Spanish-speaking countries.

Held July 19–27 on the Queens, NY, campus, the summit, entitled “International Diploma of Social Doctrine of the Church,” was organized by the International Academy of Catholic Leaders, with support from SOMOS—We Care, New York’s only provider-led, nonprofit, community-based integrated health-care network. The organization received the Caritas Medal at last year’s Vincentian Convocation.

As he welcomed participants, Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s, said, “Good leaders get better results by leading with love, rather than fear,” and thanked them all for allowing St. John’s to host this gathering.

“This event is part of our multifaceted approach to being the global Catholic and Vincentian University we aspire to be. Advancing the knowledge and impact of Catholic Social Teaching is a gift to the world and to the Church,” stressed Rev. Aidan R. Rooney, C.M., M.Div., M.Th. ’78NDC, Executive Vice President for Mission.

Proceedings, which were all conducted in Spanish, were led by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the US; Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of São Paulo; Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Quebec; and Cardinal Diego Padrón, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Cumana, and currently of the Archdiocese of Valencia. The four cardinals celebrated Mass, as well as presented and led discussions with participants. Also in attendance was Rocco Buttiglione, former Minister of European Affairs for Italy.

Cardinal Scherer emphasized that the Catholic leader is one “who understands the life and lives of people with the criteria given to them by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the moral teaching of the Church.”

He added, “Their vision is illuminated by the Christian faith, and different than that of a utilitarian,” and is inspired by the Commandments and the Beatitudes.

Cardinal Pierre told the gathering that poverty is at the heart of evangelization. “It is not an optional extra,” he stressed. “Christ lives in the poor, and in the least,” he added.

“The preferential option for the poor is not a position of the Church at a given moment,” Cardinal Padrón observed. “It is made by God,” he said, adding that there are more poor people in today’s world than ever before.

Cardinal Ouellet asserted that the Church actively collaborates to support global priorities in favor of humanity. “Unfortunately, these principles are being discarded on the ground by the outbreak of new wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.”