The attendees were welcomed by the Vice-Dean for Science and International Cooperation of the CFTH, Dr. rev. Ilija Marković, who also served as moderator. “This symposium is not only an opportunity for academic exchange of ideas, but also for deep reflection on the common responsibility towards man as the image of God, the crown of God’s creation and the masterpiece of God’s love. The Second Vatican Council teaches us that the joy and hope, sorrow and anguish of the people of our time, especially the poor and those who suffer, are the joy and hope, sorrow and anguish of the disciples of Christ”, said Prof. Marković and emphasized that the selected topics “maintain the importance of the moment in which we live, as well as Pope Francis’ vision of a theology that is alive and engaged in the world, especially towards people”.

Opening of the scientific conference

The gathered were then greeted by the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić, Grand Chancellor of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sarajevo, praising “a very lively topic that is not only contemporary, but also a matter of great responsibility for us Christians and people in general in the world”.

“If we know that God created the world and in the world a person, to be in mutual relations, then we thank our Creator for first ‘letting’ us into life, and on the other hand for giving us the opportunity to be responsible for the whole world and for each other (...) God did not only create the world, but continues to be responsible for his creatures”, said Msgr. Vukšić thanking the participants and organizers.

The Dean of the Sarajevo Faculty of Theology, Dr. Rev. Mario Bernadić, addressed the attendees at the end, emphasizing that a very active and current topic had been chosen as the central idea. "Today, when the world is rapidly changing before our eyes, not only politically... it is very important that we increasingly focus on the topics that the lecturers will talk about", said Dean Bernadić, officially opening the International Scientific Symposium.

Nine lectures were held

This was followed by a lecture by a professor at the Faculty of Theology in Sarajevo, Dr. Ljubo Zadrić, entitled Theological and Pastoral Challenges in the Context of the Theology of Pope Francis. Dr. Damir Šehić from the Theological and Catechetic Department of the University of Zadar spoke to the attendees about the Theological View of Human Dignity in the Contemporary World, while Dr. OFM Josip Jozić from the Franciscan Theology in Sarajevo reflected on the topic Dialogue: The Other as a Call and a Challenge. The “Culture of Encounter” in the Contemporary World from the Perspective of Dialogical Philosophy. This block of lectures was followed by a discussion, which closed the first day of this international conference.

The symposium continued on November 7^th, in the morning hours, with a lecture entitled The End of Democracy? Truth in the Age of “Infocracy” by Dr. Šime Šokčević from the Faculty of Theology in Đakovo of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek. This was followed by a presentation entitled Human Rights in the Light of Faith and Cognition: Challenges and Possibilities by Dr. Danijela Rupćić from the Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb.

After the discussion and an appropriate academic break, four presentations were given: Human Freedom and Responsibility towards Self, Others, God and the Created World in the Writings of Edith Stein by Dr. Mirjana Pinezić from the Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Split; Prayer – the Foundation of Christian Action by M.A. Ivan Ivanda from the Theological and Catechetic Institute in Mostar; Spiritual Ecology in the Light of the Theology of Pope Francis by local professor Dr. Drago Župarić, and the symposium was closed with the lecture The Information Age: A New Theological Context by Dr. OFM Vili Radman from the Sarajevo Franciscan Theology.

The symposium ended with a plenary discussion, and it is expected that the presentations will be published in academic journals for the wider reading public.

After two productive days, it can be said that this international scientific event brought together theologians, philosophers and scientists from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia who reflected on the topics of democracy, human rights, human freedom and responsibility, prayer, theological-pastoral challenges and spiritual ecology, especially in light of the theology of Pope Bergoglio.

The symposium also attempted to provide an opportunity for a deeper understanding and reflection on the theological, philosophical and social challenges of the contemporary world, with a special emphasis on man's responsibility for the preservation of the created world.

It is worth noting that the holding of this symposium was financially supported by the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports.