Don Bosco Theological Centre Reflects on Dignitas Infinita

On 26th August 2025, Don Bosco Theological Centre, Kavarapettai, of the Salesian province of Chennai, India, organized a theological reflection titled “Inviolable Yet Ignored: An Indian Reading of Dignitas Infinita.” The event explored the theme of human dignity, focusing on the latest Vatican document Dignitas Infinita and its application in the Indian context.

The session began with Fr. Emmanuel Maddhichetty SDB, the Director of DBTC and Fr. Stanley Jayakumar SDB, the Registrar of DBTC welcoming and felicitating the Guest speaker, the students and faculty members.  Moving on with the main programme of the day, Br. Praveenkumar SDB (Second year student) presented a synthesis of the document, highlighting its central message that every human being possesses inherent, inviolable dignity. Following this, Br. Jobin VC (Third year student) addressed the relevance of the document to India, illustrating how cultural, social, and economic realities often challenge the recognition of human dignity in everyday life.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Arnald Mahesh, SDB, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore, and consultant for bioethics to the CCBI, provided a critical analysis of the current human rights situation in India. Drawing from Human Rights Watch reports and daily news, Dr. Mahesh highlighted ongoing violations and their ethical implications. He further reflected on the role of individuals, families, and Christian communities in promoting respect for human dignity, encouraging attitudes and actions that affirm the infinite worth of every person.

The event concluded with an interactive floor discussion, where participants raised questions and sought clarifications from the speakers. The dialogue emphasized the practical application of theological insights to contemporary societal challenges.

Overall, the reflection successfully bridged global theological thought and Indian realities, offering both intellectual enrichment and spiritual motivation. The event reinforced the importance of upholding human dignity in all spheres of life, inspiring participants to contribute meaningfully toward a more just and compassionate society.