Opus Dei Prelate: Foster charity through dialogue

Foster Charity Through Dialogue, Urges Prelate

Opens Academic Year at University of the Holy Cross

ROME, OCT. 11, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Charity in a university is cultivated through dialogue and communication with others, says the grand chancellor of the University of the Holy Cross in Rome.

Monsignor Javier Echevarría, prelate of Opus Dei, said this Monday when opening the academic year of the papal athenaeum.

"To cultivate charity means, for university students, to exercise themselves with urgency in working with others, because in dialogue and the exchange of opinions and experiences they mature as persons and as seekers of truth," he said.

"In university life, the harmonizing of the definition of truth and dedication to the development of those who are near to us is an imperative that can never be given up," said Monsignor Echevarría.

"With his word and example, St. Josemaría preached this message constantly: That others may begin their task at the point where we left off. A duty, if you will, that is strategic but, above all, a manifestation of concern for the good of souls and the future of society," added Opus Dei's prelate.

Referring to Benedict XVI's first encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est," Monsignor Echevarría described it as "an appeal to us all never to separate research from the truth of love of others," starting from a "Christian's program: a heart that sees. Such a heart sees where there is need of love and acts in consequence."

The rector continued: "We begin a new academic year full of possibilities, in continuation of last year in which we saw growth in the number of students, of countries represented and of new study and research options.

"We will try to follow on this path. But to the numerical data are added so many cultural challenges that make the work of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and of all the Roman Pontifical Universities so indispensable and full of responsibility."

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