Integral human development is not just an abstract concept, but a lived practice of building bridges in our fragmented world, the SVD Australia Province’s first Mission, Education and Research webinar for 2026 heard this month.

The online presentations are exploring the theme, ‘Integral Human Development in a Fragmented World’, with the first session focusing on ‘Biblical and Mission Perspectives’, featuring distinguished scholars Roger Schroeder SVD and Vien V. Nguyen SCJ.

Fr Roger Schroeder, SVD, worked as a missionary in Papua New Guinea for six years. He earned a Doctorate degree in missiology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1990, Since then, he has taught at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago (CTU), where he now holds the Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD, Chair of Mission and Culture, and is Professor of Intercultural Studies and Ministry.

Fr Vien V. Nguyen, SCJ, is a priest and provincial superior of the Priests of the Sacred Heart in the United States. Following his first profession of vows in 1997 and his ordination in 2004, he earned a doctorate in Sacred Scripture from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. Prior to his election to provincial leadership in 2022, Fr Vien served as vice rector and assistant professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.

In welcoming the guest speakers, Fr Anthony Le Duc SVD, the coordinator of the Mission Education and Research (MER) Team of the SVD Australia Province, said the theme for the webinars would explore the social, geopolitical, ecological, and technological fractures that are fragmenting the world today.

“We use the word ‘fragmentation’ because we see a world experiencing a fracture of relationships at multiple levels,” he said.

“We see a social fragmentation where toxic models of dominance and ego isolate us from one another, as we will explore today through the lens of biblical masculinity.

“We see a geopolitical fragmentation in the walls built against refugees and migrants.

“We see an ecological fragmentation where our bond with the earth is treated as a mandate for exploitation rather than a covenant of stewardship.

“And finally, we see a technological fragmentation where rapid advancements like artificial intelligence challenge our moral judgment and the very nature of human discourse.

“So, against this backdrop of division, we propose integral human development as an approach from the Catholic perspective. This is the belief that true flourishing is not just about economic growth, but about the development of the whole person socially, culturally, and spiritually. It's about moving from autonomy to interdependence.”

Fr Vin’s presentation was entitled, ‘The Scandal of the Cross: Masculinity Subverted’.

“Perhaps we are familiar with phrases such as men don't cry, handle it like a man, be strong,” he said.

“These phrases reflect societal expectations placed on men and boys. They promote conformity to an ideal of masculinity through the valorisation of strength and power and the suppression of weakness and vulnerability.

“For ancient Greco-Roman men, mastery over the self and others was paramount to masculinity. Failing to meet or defend masculine ideals could be seen as a softening or feminisation of the body, and therefore, could diminish a man's social and political life.

“Conversely, Jesus did not embody a typical Greco-Roman masculine trait. He associated with the poor and the weak in society. He had neither a family nor a house of his own, and throughout his passion he remained passive. He allowed others to violate his body through scourging and crucifixion.

Fr Vin said Jesus subverted conventional masculine norms through his embrace of the cross and crucifixion.

“And in doing so, he presented a form of masculinity grounded in humility and self-emptying, and the fourth part examines the implication of this higher form of masculinity in leadership, in ministry, and in our relationships with creation,” he said.

Fr Vin said his presentation aimed to “offer an alternative perspective on masculinity that is not centred on domination but on stewardship, not on autonomy, but on interdependence”.

“The established notion of success is upended by self-giving, agape, and self-emptying, kenosis, love for the sake of others,” he said.

“The shift in our understanding of masculinity invites us to rethink how we perceive and safeguard the interconnectedness and mutual dependence of the web of life.

“It prompts us to listen attentively and respond prophetically to the cries of the poor and of creation. The aim is to liberate us from the toxic masculine ego of dominance, making room for attending theosis, becoming like God throughout kenosis, self-emptying in the heart of the world.”

Father Roger, a prolific author on interculturality and prophetic dialogue, discussed integral human development from a missiological perspective, talking first about the theology, practice, and spirituality of ministry, and ministry as prophetic dialogue.

He said the Second Vatican Council presented the theological understanding that the Church needs to dialogue with the world, and spoke of how God is already present in the world.

From this, it was understood that “there is a two-way exchange of gifts between missionaries and the people among whom they work. Mission is not just a matter of doing things for people, it is, first of all, a matter of being with people, of listening and sharing with them”.

“So, just as God is dialogical and God's self, the three persons of the Trinity are present in the world, so the Church needs to learn from the world, its religions, its cultures, and so learn more about God's unfathomable riches,” he said.

Fr Roger said mission is and must be prophetic, because God's inner nature is also prophetic.

“Prophecy is rooted in dialogue, listening to God's word, discerning the signs of the times, tuning into the radio waves to hear and attend to the people and their context,” he said.

“The other dimension of prophecy is denunciation, speaking about against injustice and those narrow understandings of religion, as Jesus did.

“So, sometimes we need to speak on behalf of those who are marginalised, but hopefully we can move to the point of where we can help people or give them those moments to speak for themselves to raise their own conscious raising, not just giving fish every day, but that people can find fish for themselves. This, of course, is very important in integral human development.”

Fr Roger said that in its commitment to Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC), the Church is seeking to be in solidarity with those who are suffering, showing a preferential option for the poor.

“So JPIC is prophetic, founded on the reign of God and the Christo-centric theologies by our living speech and actions, individually, communally, institutionally, and collegially,” he said.

“Justice, peace, is very strong in prophecy, but also has to be about dialogue. How do we engage where God is already present, understand motives, persuade with facts, relationships of respect?”

He said prophetic dialogue and interculturality go together, “so it's both a theology and a practice, they can shape, enrich, and complement each other”.

The presentations were followed by an engaging question and answer session.

Other MER lectures this year will explore Integral Human Development from the perspectives of: Magisterial and Interreligious Perspectives (July 2026); Contemporary Concerns (September 2026); and Formation of Youth and Religious (November 2026).

PHOTOS

TOP RIGHT: Fr Vin Nguyen SCJ presenting at the SVD's MER webinar.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Fr Roger Schroeder SVD giving his presentation.