Landas Vol. 21 No. 1 (2007)

The articles for this issue deal with various issues and draw from different areas and disciplines. Albert C.A. Flores presents the historical background and a critical analysis of Fr. Pedro Pelaez’ last written work about the rights of Filipino secular priests under Spanish colonial rule. In the mid-19" century, Fr. Peldez emerged as a de facto leader among the educated native clergy, and his advocacy for these rights contributed to the growing nationalist movement that culminated in the Philippine Revolution against Spain. The essay by Joseph L. Roche, SJ comments on some new approaches to Catholic spirituality from the perspective of religious education. Consistently aware of the importance of catechesis and deeply committed to “authentic Filipino Catholic believing in Christ,” Roche demonstrates how the theological discipline of practical theology is helpful in bridging the gap between theory and practice in religious education. John J. Pilch draws from cultural anthropology and cognitive neuroscience to understand texts about “journeying to the sky” found in ancient literature as well as in contemporary reports by those in alternate states of consciousness. He offers a cross-cultural model for analyzing and interpreting these texts.

A short piece of documentation related to the Loyola School of Theology is included here: the commencement address delivered on March 15, 2006 by Fr. C.G. Atévalo, SJ, the first LST President.

Landas completed twenty years of continuous publication in 2006 and offers in this issue a comprehensive index compiled by Vernon Totanes and Ferdinand Alipis. It is hoped that this will faciltate access for all those doing research. Mr. Totanes is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of ‘Toronto’s Faculty of Information, while Mr. Alipis is the present Director of Ralph Gehring Library, Loyola School of Theology.