On Thursday, June 10, 2021, Friar Luís Felipe CARNEIRO MARQUES, of the Province of San Maximilian M. Kolbe in Brazil, defended his doctoral dissertation entitled: “Confessors Do Not Improvise: The Sacrament of Penance and Crisis in the Ministry. The defense was conducted at the Sant’Anselmo Pontifical Athenaeum in Rome.
Those attending the event included the Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI, several friars and priests from Brazil who are residing in Rome, and friars from the Friary of St. Anthony at the Baths (“Vigna”) in Rome. The Rector of the Anselmianum, Father Bernhard A. ECKERSTORFER, OSB, began the academic event at 9:30 a.m. with an opening prayer in the Chapter Hall. The Examining Committee was comprised of Professor Andrea GRILLO, the Dissertation Moderator; and Fathers Ruberval MONTEIRO, OSB, and Fernando RIVAS, OSB.
In his exposition, Friar Luís Felipe highlighted three key categories for the ministry of the confessor: Mercy, Authority and Charism. He argued that the crisis of the Sacrament of Penance stems from crises in ordained ministry and in the confessor himself. This is a structural crisis containing cultural, anthropological and spiritual elements, which, at the same time, represents a great opportunity for the Church and the theology of the sacraments.
After the presentation of the dissertation, the members of the Examining Committee made comments and asked questions. The Committee praised the quality of research supporting the candidate’s thesis and considered his dissertation to be highly original, with an innovative and daring perspective. His approach was effective in creating interaction between sacrament and ministry. The Committee greatly appreciated the candidate’s work and highlighted his mastery of Scripture. At the end of the defense of the dissertation, Friar Luís Felipe was proclaimed a doctor.
Congratulations to our confrere, who in the coming weeks will return to his Province in Brazil. His Province is waiting for him to join and strengthen the team of professors at the São Boaventura Institute in Brasilia.
Friar Jorge CAMPELO DE ALBUQUERQUE E MELO
