 
        
|
|
 |
|
| |
SEMINARIO: ¿CHOQUE O ENCUENTRO DE CIVILIZACIONES?
Un acercamiento desde Aragón. El dilema Islam - Occidente desde Miguel Servet. |
| |
This past October 27, the Michael Servetus Institute hosted a seminar regarding the relationship between Islam and Christianity. The seminar was divided into three segments. One devoted to the historical influence of Muslim and Jewish intellectuals in the evolution of Western culture. Another dealt with the differences between Muslim and Christian theology, and the third lecture tackle the influence that Muslim sources had in Servetus’ writings. (Link: A common word)
The seminar started with a welcoming speech by the Major of Villanueva and First Deputy President of the Institute, Mr. Alfonso Salillas. Following his warming speech,
Mrs. Pilar Zaldívar, a historian from Zaragoza with an in-depth knowledge of the Muslim world, initiated the first lecture. According to Mrs. Zaldívar, Al-Andalus, which during a certain period of time represented practically all the Spanish territory as it is known today, was composed of many successive human elements: the Visigoth. Roman, Greek, Phoenician legacies; the Christian and Jewish elements that were already present in the Iberian Peninsula, and the Islamic elements that entered into Spain in 711. But all of them equally felt they belonged to Al-Andalus and they spoke Arabic on a regular basis and it also was the language of culture for Jewish and Muslims. Hebrew was only used for religious services. Latin was also used for religious services and in the intellectual Christian circles. The knowledge of Al-Andalus, which included the most relevant work of Greek philosophers were transmitted to Europe through the Translation School of Toledo and some outstanding representatives of the Jewish culture living in the valley of the River Ebro, such as Abraham ibn Ezra and Pedro Alfonso, who travelled extensively through several European Countries. According to Mrs. Zaldívar, Christian, Jews and Muslims "coexisted" in Al-Andalus but did not actually live in the historical and peaceful paradise that some old fashion historians have argued, or in a world full of endless conflicts
.
After her lecture, Dr. Abdelmumin Haya thoroughly outlined the main differences between Islam and Christianity and pointed out those elements which currently tend to bring closer Islam and Christianity. But first of all, he explained why Mohammad was always tolerant with Christians by analyzing his writings and legal commandments.
Perhaps the most striking difference between Islam and Christianity relies on its different conception of the relationship between God and human beings. While Islam is a more sensual religion than Christianity since Muslims do not believe in the original sin or that this life is a “valley of tears”, Christian faith is rooted in the original sin and it places a strong value on redemption. However, Muslims have a submissive relationship with God. The relationship of love and friendship that exists in the Christian mystic is an scandal for those Muslims who are not Sufis, i.e.: for the greater majority. Muslims refer to ‘ubudîa, submission to the qadar…According to him, Islam is also a less dogmatic religion than Christianity. In that regard, no issues, such the discussion regarding the Trinity, have appeared in Islam.
Dr. Haya argued that the existing difference between Islam and Christianity based on the rejection of one's own body, pleasure and sexuality (the "valley of tears") has already been overcome, and this is an important step forward. In addition he also observed that, regrettably, Islam is suffering from a steady "eclesialization" (i.e. a hierarchical process) that resembles to that experienced through History by the Christian Church. This, according to him, threatens crystallizing the Muslim faith. He finally concluded that there is nothing, from a religious point of view, preventing us from living together and understanding each other. The problem though, as he replied to a question made by someone from the audience, is mostly politics
Finally, Mr. Jaume de Marcos, explained the influence that Islam played in Servetus' writings. He analyzed the concrete references to the Koran and Islamic sources in his main work: The Restoration of Christianity, in order to defend his theories against the dogma of the Trinity, which was totally unnecessary for Muslims. Beyond this specific analysis, the thrust of Servetus' references to the Islamic faith is that he tried to restore Christianity to its origins thinking he could make it more easily acceptable for Jews and Muslims. In this sense, one could argue that Servetus tried to build bridges between Muslims and Jews during a time in which the relationships between Muslims and Christian were deeply deteriorated..
The Seminar was closed with the traditional offering and reading of Servetus' Prayer before the statue that lies in front of the Church of Villanueva.
>  News in the Press <
| Photo gallery |
| |
| |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| |
| |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| Photos by José Salillas Lacasa |
|
|
-
|
 |
| |
SEMINAR: CLASH OR MEETING OF CIVILIZATIONS?
The Islam-West dilemma since Michael Servetus. |
| |
Place: Michael Servetus Institute. Michael Servetus Birthplace and Museum. Villanueva de Sijena (Huesca - Aragon -Spain)
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2007
Registration: Tel.:(+34) 974 57 81 37
Registration Fee: 8€.
The fee may be paid the same day of the event at the counter of the Michael Servetus Birthplace and Museum.
Free entrance for the members of the Institute.
Presentation and objectives of the Seminar:
The attacks to the Twin Towers on September 11th, 2001 reignited the interests to study the religious phenomena as enabling mechanisms to mould and in some cases overhaul the relationship between different peoples and ethic groups, both in the international arena and in more limited geographic scopes.
The three religions “of the Book” (i.e. the three religions that find its affiliation in Abraham’s offspring and in the revealed Word of God through the Bible) believe in the same God, either called, Allah, Hashem or God Father. However, this common base has not been enough to mitigate the continuous clashes amongst the three religious groups and, in particular, between the Islam and the Western world of Christian tradition. The link between the political power and religion has decisively contributed to nurture and radicalize this clashing climate. Therefore, one should wonder if a real separation between “church” and “state” constitutes an essential element to achieve a sincere understanding between Islam and the Western world. |
 |
| |
With this Seminar, the Michael Servetus Institute wishes to contribute to the religious dialogue between Christians and Muslims, familiarizing the audience with the contributions made by the Muslims intellectuals to the formation of Western culture, as well as the main differences and similarities between both religions. The bottom line is to show that Islam and modernity are not irreconcilable.
The Seminar will also deal with the importance that the Koran sources played in the writings of Servetus. The great humanist was always conscious of the spiritual bonds between Muslims and Christians and he did not hesitate to cite the Koran in support of its theories against the Trinity, which broke the unity and indivisibility of God, a concept which was and still is essential to Jews and Muslims. Beyond the concrete aspects of this debate, the quest of Servetus to banish from the Christian creed what he considered to be an artificial philosophical construction reveals how important is to point out the essential elements of both religions above some of their dogmas in order to grasp what unites us and to water down what has greatly separated us. |
Program *
16:00 h. - 16:20 h
.: General Assembly of the Institute: Proposal and appointment of new members.
16:20 h. – 16:30 h.: Welcoming remarks.
16:30 h. - 17:15 h.: Dr. Joaquín Lomba. Emeritus Professor of Philosophy - University of Zaragoza: "Hispanic Jewish and Muslim thought in the formation of the European Culture”.
Due to family reasons, Dr. Lomba will not be able to attend the Seminar. Upon his recommendation, Mrs. Pilar Zaldívar Bouthelier will replace him. Mrs. Zaldívar has a Diploma in Advanced Studies from the University of Zaragoza (2000) and a History Degree from the same University. She is currently teaching Arabic in the University of Zaragoza and she is an specialist in the Arab world. She has been a teacher of Spanish and Spanish culture at the Cervantes Institute of Damascus (Syria) and Amman (Jordan).
17:15 h.- 17:30 h.: Coffe break.
17:30 h. - 18:15 h.: Dr. Abdelmumin Haya, Ph.D. on Philosophy - University of Sevilla: "Differences and similarities between Islam and Christianity: proposal for an inter-religious dialogue”.
18:15 h. - 18:30 h.: Break.
18:30 h. – 19:15 h.: Mr. Jaume de Marcos Andreu, Master in History of Religions, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona: "Islam in Servetus’ writings".
19:15 h. - 19:45 h.: Discussion and Closing.
19:45 h. - 20:00 h.: Fire offering before the statute of Michael Servetus at Villanueva de Sijena. Servetus’ Prayer.
* Before the beginning of the Seminar (14:00 h. - 16:00 h.) there will be lunch at “La Bodega”, Villanueva de SIjena: Price €20. R.S.V.P. Tel.: +34 974 57 81 87.
 |
| |
| LECTURE ON THE INFLUENCE OF SERVETUS ON CALVINISM |
| |
 |
Last May 20th, 2007, the Michael Servetus Institute inaugurated its current academic year with a lecture by Mr. Carlos Capó Inglada. The lecture was attended by many of our members as well as several US Unitarians, amongst we can highlight Rev. Robert Hardies, main minister in the “All Souls” Unitarian Church of Washington, and the French Unitarian leader Mr. Jean-Claude Barbier.
Mr. Carlos Capó Inglada is an Evangelical Minister of the Spanish Evangelical Church in Barcelona. Since 2001 is a member of the Permanent Commission of the Spanish Evangelical Church. In 1996, he founded the publishing house “Gayata” to spread the protestant thought and the history of Protestantism in Spain. He has written several books and articles, and lectures on religious and historical topics related to Protestantism and Calvinism. |
In his lecture, Mr. Capó Inglada gave us an in-depth insight into the influence that the death of Servetus had in the evolution of Calvinism. A summary of his lecture can be found in the following link:
> Mr. Carles Capó's lecture <
|
| |
| 30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE MICHAEL SERVETUS INSTITUTE |
| |
The commemorative acts of the 30th Anniversary of the Institute gathered a significant number of members of the Institute as well as other researchers and commentators of the life and works of Michael Servetus. Many sympathizers also came to Villanueva de Sijena to accompany us in this special occasion.
The Government of Aragon was represented by its General Director of Culture, Mrs. Pilar Navarrete, who gave the opening speech. In her speech, she referred to the restraints that in the current situation are suffering all those who want to fully exercise its freedom of speech and conscience, one of the underpinnings of Michael Servetus’ thought. |
 |
Mrs. Navarrete wondered if such a concept is “still a sheer illusion”, and it set forth those elements which threaten its exercise in practice, such as, the “attacks against innocents” or "the public humiliation of the Pope for just expressing a sheer truth.” She also insisted on the danger that entails the spreading of a “unique thought” (el pensamiento único) by the mass media which “reduces our intelligence and uniforms our minds”.
 |
The events were presided by Mr. Ildefonso Salillas, Major of Villanueva de Sijena, and the Director of the Institute. Both highlighted in two touching speeches the task performed by the founder of the Institute, Mr. Julio Arribas Salaberri. During the session, the Institute also appointed eight new members. Mr. Jesús Vived Mairal who hand been previously introduced to the audience by Mr. Fernando Solsona Motrel and Mr. Fernando Alvira Banzo, was appointed Honorary Member of the Institute.
After his appointment, Mr. Jesús Vived gave a thorough lecture entitled “Miguel Servet en la obra de Ramón J. Sender”, which gave rise to an interesting debate afterwards. |
In the afternoon session, Dr. Elaine Elaine Cristine Sartorelli, from the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) gave a lecture entitled “Estrategias de construcción y de legitimación del ethos en la causa veritatis: Miguel Servet y las polémicas religiosas del siglo XVI”. Given the originality of this line of research, the Institute is planning to publish during 2007 an essay based on Dr. Sartorelli’s research.
The commemorating events of the 30th Anniversary of the Institute were closed with the traditional flower offering at the statute of Michael Servetus in Villanueva de Sijena, and with the reading of the “Servetus’ Prayer” by the Director of the Institute. |
 |
|
| |
| PRESENTACIÓN DEL LIBRO "ESTUDIOS SOBRE MIGUEL SERVET II" EN EL I.E.S MIGUEL SERVET DE ZARAGOZA |
| |
Sergio Baches Opi, Secretario General del Instituto de Estudios Sijenenses Miguel Servet, presentó el libro en un acto que contó con la presencia de la Directora General de Cultura de la DGA.
 |
La Directora del IES Miguel Servet de Zaragoza, Marina Sanz Lázaro, inauguró el acto de presentación del libro Estudios sobre Miguel Servet [II], escrito por profesores y alumnos de dicho centro. Resaltó la continuidad de una línea de trabajo que viene realizando el IES desde hace varios años y que se ha concretado en conferencias, libros y documentos audiovisuales, el interés y el esfuerzo de los profesores y alumnos implicados, y el pleno apoyo del equipo directivo entero.
A continuación, dio la palabra a la Directora General de Cultura de la Diputación General de Aragón, Pilar Navarrete Hernández, quien hizo hincapié en la muerte de Servet por defender la libertad de pensamiento, al igual que les ha sucedido y sucede a otros personajes, relevantes o anónimos. Una libertad de pensamiento tan necesaria en la compleja y multicultural sociedad actual.
Seguidamente, Marina Sanz presentó a Sergio Baches Opi, Secretario General del Instituto de Estudios Sijenenses Miguel Servet, abogado y estudioso de la obra del insigne pensador y científico de Villanueva de Sijena. |
Sergio Baches hizo una breve semblanza del combativo teólogo, humanista y científico, centrándose en sus fundamentos teológicos y en su defensa de la libertad de pensamiento, de la que decía que nunca debía ser objeto de violencia alguna y, mucho menos, de castigos tales como la pena de muerte.
Baches abordó también el rechazo por Servet de la unión Iglesia-Estado, del bautismo antes de los veinte años y del dogma de la Trinidad, que conectaba con el dominio de la jerarquía sobre la sociedad: |
 |
"Excepto para un puñado de reformistas radicales, la negación de la eternidad de Jesucristo, en cuanto que podía ser interpretada como un alejamiento de Cristo de la esencia divina, suponía para los católicos, luteranos y calvinistas (confesiones vinculadas al poder civil) una degradación de la persona de Cristo, lo que, en definitiva, podía enervar la efectividad de la utilización de su mensaje ante los fieles y ello, a su vez, representar un obstáculo a la utilización de la religión como mecanismo de control social."
 |
Por último, invitó a leer Estudios sobre Miguel Servet II, un libro del que alabó su rigor y su didactismo, así como el haber sido elaborado por profesores y alumnos.
A continuación, D. Julio Salvador, en representación de los autores del libro, esbozó el contenido de los diversos artículos, y reseñó especialmente la edición, por vez primera, del guión radiofónico Miguel Servet. Destino entre la sangre y el fuego, de la escritora Encarnación Ferré, escrito en un momento ya lejano en que era muy infrecuente tratar de Servet. |
Los profesores responsables de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) de que dispone el centro facilitaron poder seguir la conferencia a través de una gran pantalla y presentaron la página web del centro (http://www.educa.aragob.es/iesmseza/), en la cual, entre otras posibilidades, se puede acceder a la consulta y descarga de los libros Estudios sobre Miguel Servet [I] y Estudios sobre Miguel Servet [II]. |
 |
Texto
de Julio Salvador.
|
| |
| 30 ANIVERSARIO DEL INSTITUTO DE ESTUDIOS SIJENENSES "MIGUEL SERVET" |
|
|
|
ACTOS CONMEMORATIVOS DEL 30 ANIVERSARIO DEL INSTITUTO DE ESTUDIOS SIJENENSES “MIGUEL SERVET” (1976-2006)
Villanueva de Sijena, Huesca, Aragón (España) - 22 de octubre de 2006 |
|
|
|
| 10:30 |
Reunión del Consejo Permanente del Instituto (sólo Consejeros del Instituto). |
| 11:30 |
Reunión del Consejo Plenario (Entrada libre).
- Inauguración a cargo de Dña. Pilar Navarrete Hernández, Directora General de Cultura de la Diputación General de Aragón (DGA).
- Palabras de bienvenida del Sr. Ildefonso Salillas Lacasa, Alcalde de Villanueva de Sijena y Vicepresidente Primero del Instituto de Estudios Sijenenses “Miguel Servet”.
- Intervención del Promotor General del Instituto, D. Bizén d’o Río Martínez. “Reflexiones sobre los orígenes del Instituto”.
- Homenaje a D. Jesús Vived Mairal. Presentación a cargo del Dr. D. Fernando Solsona Motrel.
- Acto de nombramiento de los nuevos Consejeros del Instituto.
|
| 12:15 |
Pausa café. |
| 12:45 |
Conferencia a cargo de D. Jesús Vived, investigador, escritor y músico, "Miguel Servet en la obra de Ramón J. Sender". |
| 13:45 |
Coloquio. |
| 14:00 |
Almuerzo en el Restaurante La Bodega¹. Villanueva de Sijena. |
| 16:45 |
Conferencia a cargo de la Dra. Elaine Cristine Sartorelli, Dra. en Letras Clásicas, Universidad de Sao Paulo (Faculdad de Filosofía, Letras y Ciencias, Departamento de Letras Clásicas y Vernáculas). "Autodescripciones de Servet: entre la biografía y la retórica". |
| 17:30 |
Coloquio y Clausura de los actos. |
| 18:15 |
Homenaje a Miguel Servet ante su monumento.
- Tañir de campanas.
- Ofreda del fuego y oración.
- Ofrenda floral.
|
¹ Sólo podrán asistir al almuerzo los Consejeros y acompañantes que hayan reservado con antelación:
Tel.: 974 57 81 87. Precio del cubierto 18€.
|
| |
| |
| MARIO SABAN NOS INTRODUCE EN SIJENA A LOS ORÍGENES JUDÍOS DEL CRISTIANISMO |
| |
El pasado 17 de septiembre, el prestigioso investigador argentino Mario Saban impartió en el Instituto de Estudios Sijenenses “Miguel Servet” y ante un numeroso público un seminario sobre los orígenes jurídicos del Cristianismo. Tras unas palabras de bienvenida a cargo del Alcalde de Villanueva, D. Alfonso Salillas y una breve pero emotiva introducción a cargo del Promotor General del Instituto, D. Bizén d’o Río, sobre la historia de los judíos en Aragón, el Prof. Saban inició su disertación destacando que Jesús fue por nacimiento y tradición un judío, así como todos aquéllos que le proclamaron como el Mesías. Según Saban, quien ha plasmado sus investigaciones en varios libros, Jesús no pensó nunca en fundar una nueva religión. |
|
|
|
Durante el seminario, Saban también destacó que en los Evangelios se aprecia claramente la dicotomía entre Jesús, quien proclama abiertamente su pacifismo, incluso frente a los enemigos de Judea, representados a la sazón por los ocupantes romanos, y la beligerancia contra el ocupante romano de algunos de los apóstoles, más preocupados por instaurar la independencia del Reino de Israel frente a Roma que el Reino de los Cielos anunciado por Jesús. Saban subrayó también que Jesús, cuando acude a Jerusalén, era consciente de que su movimiento se había convertido a los ojos de Roma y de la jerarquía judía (saduceos) del Templo de Jerusalén, en un problema político y, a pesar de ello, se entrega como mártir en prueba de su supremacía ética frente a sus enemigos. |
En la segunda parte del seminario, el Prof. Saban explicó cómo el judío Saulo de Tarso (San Pablo) fue el verdadero creador y primer difusor a gran escala de lo que en un principio fue un movimiento dentro del judaísmo y no una nueva religión, pero que agrupaba a aquéllos judíos que creían que el Mesías anunciado en las Escrituras había sido enviado por Dios a la tierra y que éste no era otro que Jesús de Nazaret. Es a partir del siglo II cuando se produce la ruptura entre el judaísmo y el nuevo movimiento cristiano representada, entre otras manifestaciones, por el cambio de la Pascua judía por el Domingo de Resurrección o del Sabbath por el Domingo. Este distanciamiento entre los judíos que no creían en Jesús como el Mesías y los cristianos se explica en parte por el deseo de estos últimos de convertir a su fe al mismísimo Imperio romano para lo que necesitaban marcar definitivamente las distancias con los judíos de Judea, quienes en el año 114 D.C. se habían revelado de nuevo contra el Imperio romano. Es, por tanto, en el siglo II cuando nace el Cristianismo como nueva religión. |
Tanto el Promotor General, como su Secretario General, Sergio Baches Opi, mostraron su satisfacción por la gran acogida que ha tenido este seminario, destacando que con esta iniciativa el Instituto había querido contribuir a una comprensión más profunda del judaísmo de Jesús y de la influencia del judaísmo en la historia del Cristianismo, fomentando de este modo la mutua comprensión entre ambas religiones que desde el Concilio Vaticano II caracteriza las relaciones entre ambas comunidades. |
|
|
| |
| LOS ORÍGENES JUDÍOS DEL CRISTIANISMO |
| |
| Objetivo: |
Las relaciones entre el Cristianismo y el Judaísmo no siempre han transcurrido pacíficamente. Sólo a partir del Concilio Vaticano II y, en particular, a raíz de la autocrítica formulada por Juan XXIII al tratamiento injusto que la Iglesia había inflingido al pueblo judío desde los inicios del Cristianismo, puede hablarse de un acercamiento sincero entre ambas religiones.
El desencuentro entre el Cristianismo y el Judaísmo resulta sorprendente si se tiene en cuenta el papel que este último desempeñó en los orígenes del Cristianismo y, en consecuencia, en la configuración de la civilización occidental. Con la organización de este seminario, el Instituto de Estudios Sijenenses "Miguel Servet" ( Michael Servetus Institute ) quiere contribuir a una comprensión más profunda del judaísmo de Jesús y de la influencia del Judaísmo en los inicios del Cristianismo, fomentando de este modo la mutua comprensión entre ambas religiones. Este seminario también permitirá a los asistentes identificar las diferencias principales entre el pensamiento hebreo y la teología cristiana. |
|
El seminario será impartido por el Prof. Mario Javier Saban:
|
| |
- Licenciado en Derecho por la Universidad de Buenos Aires.
- Profesor de Historia del Derecho en la Facultad de Derecho y Ciencias Sociales de la Universidad de Buenos Aires.
- Profesor de Judaísmo en el Centro de Estudios Judíos (CEJ) de Buenos Aires.
- Profesor sobre los "Orígenes Judíos del Cristianismo" en el Centro de Estudios Pastorales de Barcelona (CEP).
- Profesor del curso de especialización de "Pensamiento Hebreo" en la Universidad de Lérida.
- Secretario de Relaciones Externas de la Confraternidad Judeocristiana de Cataluña. |
|
Es autor de ocho libros sobre temática hebrea, entre los que se pueden destacar los siguientes títulos: "Las raíces judías del Cristianismo", "El Judaísmo de San Pablo", "El sábado hebreo en el Cristianismo", "Judíos Conversos I", "Judíos Conversos II" y "La matriz intelectual del Judaísmo y la génesis de Europa". |
| Programa: |
| |
10:30 hrs. Introducción a cargo de D. Bizen D'o Río Martínez, Promotor del Instituto de Estudios Sijenenses "Miguel Servet": "Breve relato de la historia de los judíos en Aragón"
11:00 hrs. La situación de Judea en el siglo I y el Judaísmo de Jesús.
11:45 hrs. Coloquio y preguntas.
12:00 hrs. Pausa café.
12:30 hrs. El Judaísmo de San Pablo. La Iglesia a finales del siglo I. La ruptura definitiva en el siglo II entre el mundo judío y la Iglesia.
13:15 hrs. Coloquio y preguntas.
13:45 hrs. Clausura del seminario . |
|
| Lugar de impartición y fecha: |
| |
Instituto de Estudios Sijenenses "Miguel Servet", Casa Natal de Miguel Servet, Villanueva de Sijena (Huesca). www.miguelservet.org Domingo, 17 de septiembre de 2006 |
|
| Inscripciones: |
|
| Precio: |
| |
Miembros del Instituto : Gratuito.
No miembros : 6 €. A ingresar en el siguiente nº de cuenta: 2085 - 2516 - 8403 - 00304715. |
|
|
PRESENTACIÓN DEL LIBRO: "MIGUEL SERVET, LUZ ENTRE TINIEBLAS" |
|
El Instituto de Estudios Sijenenses "Miguel Servet", en colaboración con el Ateneo de Zaragoza, presentó el pasado 30 de junio en Zaragoza el libro "Miguel Servet: Luz entre Tinieblas". El acto tuvo lugar en la Sala de Actos de la Caja de Ahorros de la Inmaculada, C/ Don Jaime I, nº 33, de Zaragoza, a las 20:00 horas.
"Miguel Servet, Luz entre Tinieblas", es un libro de 363 páginas en el que se recogen, debidamente actualizadas, las conferencias pronunciadas durante el Congreso Internacional que organizó el Instituto en octubre de 2004. Junto con las conferencias, se incluye una completa biografía sobre Servet y una amplia y cuidada selección de textos extraídos de sus principales obras, con especial incidencia en su principal obra. La Christianismi Restitutio.
Con el fin de garantizar su mayor difusión, algunas de las conferencias se publican en versión bilingüe español e inglés, mientras que otras contienen un resumen en inglés, de conformidad con los estándares académicos que se aplican a este tipo de publicaciones. Durante el acto, que contó con una notable asistencia de público, intervinieron, el Presidente del Ateneo, Dr. Fernando Solsona, el Director del Instituto, D. Bizén d'o Río Martínez, el Alcalde de Villanueva de Sijena, D. Alfonso Salillas, el Director de la Biblioteca de Aragón, D. Ramón Sabaté y el Secretario General del Instituto, D. Sergio Baches Opi.
Tanto el Director como el Secretario del Instituto destacaron la importancia que para la institución servetista por excelencia representa la consecución de esta obra. En este sentido, el Secretario General del Instituto recalcó que, a la luz de la calidad de las conferencias publicadas y su cuidada edición, este libro está llamado a convertirse en una de las principales obras de referencia sobre la vida y la obra de Miguel Servet.
Puede consultar el índice el libro pulsando sobre si siguiente link
> Link índice del libro <
|
|
| |
LECTURE BY JAUME DE MARCOS |
|
“The influence of Erasmus in Servetus' Works”
Michael Servetus Institute, Villanueva de Sijena, May 14th 2006, 12:00.
Mr. Jaume de Marco's lecture will analyze in detail the main elements of Erasmus' works that can be spotted in Michael Servetus' theology as well as in his social criticism. He will also identify the main similarities and differences amongst both humanists. This lecture is the result of Jaime's research while he was studying a Master in History of Religions in the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). The Michael Servetus Institute will publish during this year a bilingual version (Spanish-English) of his full research.
Jaume de Marcos Andreu was born June 25, 1961, in Barcelona, Spain. He has a B.A. in Anglo-Germanic Philology (1987) and a Master in History of Religions (2005), both from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). In 1989 he discovered Unitarian Universalism and quickly became quite active in the European Unitarian Universalists network (EUU). In 1996 and 1998 he participated in Unitarian Universalist Leadership Seminars in Germany. In 2000 he started the Unitarian Universalist Religious Society of Spain. He became a counsellor of the Michael Servetus Institute in 2004 and nowadays he is also on the board of directors of the UNESCO Association for Interfaith Dialog and the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists. |
|
| |
| |
VISIT OF THE ICUU TO THE MICHAEL SERVETUS INSTITUTE AND THE BIRTH HOUSE OF MICHAEL SERVETUS |
|
On November 6, 2005, a group of more than 80 delegates of the International Council of Unitarian Universalists (ICUU), headed by his president and former mayor of Cape Town, the South African Rev. Gordon Oliver, visited the birth house of Michael Servetus in Villanueva de Sijena (Huesca-Aragon-Spain) to pay homage to the great Spanish humanist of the 16th century. The Aragonese Michael Servetus is considered amongst Unitarians the pioneer and the first martyr of Unitarianism. Rev. William Sinkford, president of the Association of Unitarian Univeralists and considered one of more influential African-American religious leaders in the United States, and the Bishop of the Unitarian Church of Transylvania, Rev. Arpad Szabo, i.e. the region currently belonging to Rumania where the theological ideas of Servetus began to blossom, were also part of the delegation which visited the house of Michael Servetus. |
|
 |
In his welcoming speech, the Director of the Michael Servetus Institute, Mr. Bizén d’o Río Martínez emphasized the importance that this visit had for the Institute and prompted Unitarians to turn the birth place of Michael Servetus into an international pilgrimage destination for the Unitarian Universalist community. Thereafter, the Secretary General of the Institute, Sergio Baches Opi, explained that, according to one of the main historians of Unitarism, Mr. Earl Morse Wilbur, the relationship between the Unitarian religious movement and Michael Servetus started at the very same moment of his death at the stake in Geneva on October 27, 1553. Indeed, in the example of Servetus, the four main underpinnings on which the Unitarian movement rests can be found: (I) the free and responsible search for truth and the meaning of life; (II) acknowledgement of the worth, dignity and rights of all people; (III) Respect for the interdependent web of Life and (IV) the goal of a world-wide community with peace, freedom and justice for all. |
Since a significant part of the group came from the U.S., the Secretary General also emphasized the influence that the life and works of Servetus had on the Founding Fathers of the American Constitution and, more remarkably, on Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, the main supporters of the principle of separation between church and state in the early American history. The welcoming speech of the major of Villanueva de Sijena, Mr. Alfonso Salillas was also very touching, when he pointed out that not even the founder of the Institute, the well-remembered Mr. Julio Arribas, could have imagined that one day, owing to the increasing internationalization of the Institute’s activities, the theological heirs of Servetus could come massively to the house were he was born.
Unlike many academic events that the Institute organizes regularly, the visit of the Unitarian delegates was full of an indescribable spiritual essence, that reached its culminating point during the religious service that was held in the afternoon in the conference room of the Institute and which followed a thoughtful lecture by Mr. Jaume de Marcos (president of the Spanish Unitarian Universalist Religious Association) on the main aspects of the life and legacy of Servetus. In his sermon, Rev. Richard Boeke presented the death of Michael Servetus as an example that “eternity”, as a religious concept, can be found in the human or spiritual example that a human being is able to transmit to others. Unlike the liturgical acts of other religious confessions, the sermons, the religious chants and the reflections of the faithful on different religious matters, play a central role in the Unitarian liturgy and they contribute to endow it, despite its austerity, with a deeply emotional load. |
|
 |
The event ended with a procession from the house of Michael Servetus to the statue devoted to him that is located in the main square of Villanueva de Sijena. The Unitarian delegates laid candles and flowers as a sign of respect at the feet of the statue. The offering ended with the singing of a touching Unitarian religious chant. During the offering, our Unitarian friends were accompanied by several members of the Institute and numerous neighbours of Villanueva de Sijena. |
In commemoration of this visit, and to mark this event as one of the most impressive visits that the Institute has ever had, the Institute unveiled a plaque in the first floor of the house of Michael Servetus. The success of this multicultural event should serve to cause a deep reflection on the importance of the cultural and scientific work that the Michael Servetus Institute carries out to keep alive the flame that illuminates one of the most important humanists of the 16th century and who, unfortunately, is still more appreciated abroad than in his home land. |
|
|
| >> Press Releases (PDF): November 7th - November 20th - ICUU Website - Newsletter Canada |
|
|
| |
PEREGRINATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST TO THE BIRTH HOUSE OF MICHAEL SERVETUS |
|
|
|
On November 6, 2005, more than 80 delegates of the International Council of Unitarian Universalists (ICUU), that will hold its biennial meeting in the Abbey of Monserrat (Barcelona-Spain), will travel to Villanueva de Sijena to visit in pilgrimage the Birth House of Michael Servetus.
The Michael Servetus Institute, fully aware of the importance that this visit represents for our Institution, will gratefully welcome the delegates in the Birth House and it will join them in the activities that have been scheduled for this day. |
|
From this forum, the Institute wishes to invite all its members and friends to join us during this day. The visit of the ICUU constitutes a unique occasion for pleople belonging to different creeds and religions to exchange experiences and impressions on different aspects related to Michael Servetus and his legacy, or on those aspects of the religious practice that give rise to debate between different communities or religious philosophies.
Michael Servetus is considered as the first martyr of Unitarism. It is not therefore strange to wtiness a blossoming of Servetian studies within this religious community, which, in light of the respect and admiration that has shown in Spain and abroad towards our great humanist, we feel proud to host in this special day. |
|
|
| |
| LECTURE BY MR . MARIO SABAN |
|
“Judaism and Inquisition”
The Michael Servetus Institute would like to inform you of the next lecture which will take place in the Birth House of Michael Servetus in Villanueva de Sijena (Huesca) on October 23rd, 2005. In this occasion, Prof. Mario Saban will give us a lecture on “Judaism and Inquisition” (“El judaísmo y el Santo Oficio de la Inquisición").
|
 |
Mario Javier Saban has a Law Degree from the University of Buenos Aires . His first book (“Convert Jews” / “Judíos Conversos”) deals with the Jews' ancestors of the oldest families in Argentina . He has written eight books on Hebrew history and he is an specialist on the Jewish origins of Christendom. He is currently the Secretary for Foreign Relations of the Christian Jewish Community of Catalonia (Spain) and he teaches a subject on the "Jewish origins of Christendom" in the Center of Pastoral Studies of Barcelona, and “Hebrew Philosophy” at the University of Lérida (Spain).
You may obtain further information of Prof. Mario Saban in the following link: http://www.hebreos.net/index .htm?/chat/chat_311004 |
| |
|
| THE THEOLOGICAL IDEAS OF SERVETUS ON THE LESSER CIRCULATION OF THE BLOOD - by J. Luis Nieto Amada |
|
Summary of the lecture
Prof. Nieto Amada started his lecture stating that he considers Servetus as a highly qualified humanist, an expatriated and persecuted traveler, an honest and persevering free thinker who put forward all his ideas, especially those related to the Holy Scriptures, until the last consequences. Servetus, despite studying many sciences, eventually focused on theology and medicine, a combination which may seem strange in our days, but which was frequent in Servetus’ epoch.
Prof. Nieto Amada focused on the roots of Servetus’ theological and medical theories. With regard to theology, it is well known that he discarded both the Aristotle and the Nicaean doctrines and relied just on the content of the Holy Scriptures. His medical background was less heterodox than his theological education. He was a Galen’s follower, but he did not abide entirely by Galen’s doctrines as other Galenists who just kept closing their eyes to Galen’s mistakes. In contrast, Servetus consecrated to the investigation of the human body and did not doubt to correct Galen’s mistakes when his research showed that Galen’s descriptions were wrong.
According to Galen, the structure of each organ of the body is related to the function that has been assigned to it by nature. According to this philosophy, the guiding soul of all the functions of the body was linked to three types of “pneuma” or spirit: the animal spirit generated by the brain (origin of thought and memory); the natural spirit, lying on the liver, where the blood is generated, and the vital spirit which would be in the left ventricle (where the air was supposed to mix with blood). Further to Galen’s scheme, these three types of spirits are linked to the circulation of the blood.
According to this Galen’s determinism, the blood was originated in the liver and from the liver part of the blood was sent to the periphery of the body and other to the right ventricle of the hearth from which it would be transferred to the left ventricle through the hearth wall. This is where we find Galen’s big mistake, which was accepted without experimentation during centuries. For Galen, only a small amount of blood went to the lungs just to “feed” them, but it never returned to the hearth.
|
|
Servetus found that Galen was wrong and he described for the first time in Western Europe the pulmonary circulation (i.e. the movement of blood from the heart, to the lungs, and back to the heart again) which is just one phase of the overall circulatory system described later on by W. Harvey.
What Servetus sees is that the veins bring waste-rich blood back to the heart, entering the right atrium. The right atrium fills with the waste-rich blood and then contracts, pushing the blood through a one-way valve into the right ventricle. The right ventricle fills and then contracts, pushing the blood into the pulmonary artery which leads to the lungs. In the lung capillaries, the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen takes place. The fresh, oxygen-rich blood enters the pulmonary veins and then returns to the heart, re-entering through the left atrium. The oxygen-rich blood then passes through a one-way valve into the left ventricle where it will exit the heart through the main artery (called now aorta). The left ventricle's contraction forces the blood into the aorta and the blood begins its journey throughout the body.
This first description in Western Europe of the pulmonary circulation was inserted in a book of theology (Christianismi restitutio - 1553). As Prof. Nieto Amada pointed out, this should not surprise us since what Servetus was really looking for when he discovered the pulmonary circulation was the “journey” of the soul within the human body (i.e. the “spark” that allows human beings to connect with God).
 |
Prof. Nieto Amada finished his lecture indicating that it is a mistake to analyze Servetus’ works without taking into account its medical background. In this regard, he clearly manifested its disagreement with those who have disregarded the importance that medicine played in the construction of Servetus’ theological system. On the contrary, being a medical doctor was an essential aspect of his life and his thought. Last but not least, he stressed the fact that those who have mostly kept during years and years Servetus’ memory alive have been the medical doctors. |
The Michael Servetus Institute plans to publish a booklet with this lecture during 2006.
|
| |
|
| INTERNATIONAL
CONGRESS - CLOSING EVENTS OF THE SERVETIAN YEAR |
|
| I.
The objective of the International Congress: The Institute,
common house of all Servetians |
|
On
the 22nd and 23rd of October, 2004 an International Congress
serving as a closing event of the commemorative acts of
the 450th anniversary of the death of the Aragonian Michael
Servetus took place in Zaragoza and Villanueva de Sijena
(Michael Servetus’ birth town). This Congress, organized
by the Michael Servetus Institute (Instituto de Estudios
Sijenenses Miguel Servet), drew a large audience who listened
to lectures by more than 10 specialists in the life and
works of Michael Servetus.
 |
The
International Congress did not just aimed at studying
the life and works of Michael Servetus, but also
at discussing, within a scientific and multidisciplinary
framework his legacy and its implications at the
outset of the XXI century. This format allowed reflections
and thoughts on what is needed to ensure the pacific
coexistence amongst peoples (such as the reciprocity
in the recognition of rights, the respect of peoples’
history and their symbols, or the need to enhance
the quality of education systems). It also reflected
on the present international situation, which threatens
breaking the status quo established after World
War II. |
For
the Michael Servetus Institute, the success of this International
Congress proves its vitality and its clear international
and humanist mission, as well as its commitment to spread
and the work and the legacy of Michael Servetus with scientific
criteria within the framework of an institution gathering
Servetians all around the world. | | |
){kind=link}