AT LAST, a Filipino to lead Asians.
Dominican provincials from the Asia-Pacific region have elected former UST Vice-Grand Chancellor and Prior Provincial of the Philippine Province Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, O.P. as the first Filipino and Asian to become Assistant to the Master for Asia-Pacific.
He was the first choice of the provincials and the major superiors of the Asia-Pacific to occupy the position, which is not usually given to Asians, in a consultative vote last August.
In an interview with the Varsitarian, Fr. Pedregosa said that Dominicans like him in the region had long asked for an Asian to be appointed since an Asian would be more understanding of the region’s condition. His three predecessors were from Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland.
In a testimonial dinner last Oct. 19 at the St. Thomas Aquinas Priory, Rector Fr. Tamerlane Lana, O.P. said that, as the University’s Vice-Grand Chancellor, Fr. Pedregosa “was instrumental in facilitating and expediting the revised statutes of the University.” Without his initiatives, the statutes of the University “would still be hanging,” Fr. Lana added.
Fr. Lana also urged Dominicans in Asia to follow the example of Fr. Pedregosa. “Considering the firm and clear grasp that Fr. Dodoy has of the state of the Church in Asia, I don’t think there could be any other person who could do better. He really knew very well, convinced of the significant role that the Asian Church would play for the future of the universal church and the challenge it brings,” Fr. Lana said.
Meanwhile, Fr. Pedregosa encouraged UST to continue its growth in the realization of its mission-vision. He said that in the past regional chapters in Bologna, Spain and Italy, there were suggestions to make the University a regional center of excellence in the Asia-Pacific region especially Theology, Philosophy, Canon Law, and Theology of Religions.
“The order expects so much from the development of UST as a center of excellence not only in the Philippines but also in Asia-Pacific,” he said.
Fr. Pedregosa views his appointment as a “great opportunity to give service to the regions of other Dominicans in Asia.” He sees that the Asian Church’s big challenge is Catholicization. He added that the Dominicans’ challenge is living a Dominican religious life in the light of the realities in Asian countries.
Serving as the “alter ego” of the Master of the Dominican Order, Fr. Pedregosa’s new assignment will bring him to several countries in the Asia-Pacific. He is especially optimistic about the regional meetings with the Dominican friars, nuns, sisters, and lay people in Pakistan scheduled on Feb. 18 to 23, 2002. He hopes to strengthen the Association of Regional Superiors of Asia-Pacific Region.
“There’s something good about (going to Pakistan). We will see how Dominicans live in a situation predominantly Muslim – how they live in an Islamic (community), how they engage in dialogues and solidarity with the people,” he said.
Fr. Pedregosa left the country to be based in Rome last Oct. 28. Maria Pacita C. Joson
