Italy – Opening of the 2024-2025 academic year at San Tommaso Theological Institute Messina
Messina, Italy – September 2024 - The 2024-2025 academic year of the San Tommaso Theological Institute Messina was officially inaugurated with the solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over on 25 September by Archbishop Giovanni Accolla, Archbishop of Messina, Lipari, Santa Lucia del Mela and a member of the Board of Directors of ITST, . Fr Giovanni Russo, Director of the Theological Institute and the Higher School of Bioethics and Sexology, together with the UPS in Rome, in his opening greeting expressed a deep welcome and thanks to those present and, in particular, to Archbishop Accolla. During the homily, the Archbishop of Messina stressed the importance of an increasingly profound and dialogical approach to the study of theology, highlighting how today, more than ever, it is necessary for theological reflection to dialogue with the complex challenges that the contemporary world is facing. In addition, Archbishop Accolla invited students and teachers to consider the study of theology not only as an academic path, but as an opportunity to respond with wisdom and faith to the questions of our time. During Holy Mass, teachers made their Profession of Faith, a solemn moment that enshrines their commitment to theological teaching according to the principles of the Catholic faith. At the end of the celebration, Archbishop Accolla urged everyone to cultivate a living fraternity, based on the knowledge of Christ, which must remain the centre and point of reference of every path of study and life.