Page 101 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 1

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

“Congratulations for the internet-journal Christian Psy- cultural borders. And I know psychologists in Latvia who
chology Around The World. I am convinced of the need will be very interested in this lecture.
to congregate the Christian Psychologists at this time of
history to offer them a space of discussion and investiga- Christina Bardill, lic.phil. M.A., Clinical Psychologist from
tion, to give visibility of what have been produced inter- Bern, Switzerland, who has been working in Riga, Latvia for the
nationally. I believe that Christian Anthropology offers last 10 years
a very welcomed alternative to the contemporary human
suffering and problems.
We live in a world sustained by an ideological perspective
that seeks to legitimize an overwhelming market, which „I strongly hope this journal will be of inspiration for
homogenizes the face of our planet. This perspective many health professionals and anthropologists who share
wipes out differences, singularities, citizenship, on behalf the christian faith. In fact, we believe man is one, as God
of a mercantilism, that becomes the reference of the is one. Psychology and faith are called to this univer-
relationships between people. The human condition is sal law as we humbly approach the study of the human
reified and the human being is subject to the kingdom of being/creature. For too long and for too many psycho-
the Same and that have been established on the ruins of logy has ignored or diminished the „issue of God“; now
ethics. This is the face of mercantilism and hegemony of there is a chance to open our mind and heart, to reach
technique that manifests itself even on the way that, very a deeper understanding of man, inspired by the good
often, psychologists try to help their patients. Today, it is news, and therefore to accept our existence as being a
necessary to recover the memory of the foundations of creature of a wider creation. Our anthropocentric and re-
the human condition, and here Christian Anthropology ductionist models have being failing until now the very
has great importance. purpose and the very core of our mission: the fullness
Thank you for the very important work that you and our and the wholeness in the process of understanding man
colleagues are doing.” and his presence in the world. This can only be achieved
by acknowledging and engaging the two dimensions of
Dr. Gilberto Safra „mystery“ and „purpose of life“. I already see good quality
Full Professor Instituto de Psicologia and varied contributions in the journal, and that is pro-
Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Brazil mising. I value the format (an article followed by a peer
comment) and the topics considered. Now it would be
strategic to publish widely this space in order to receive
contributions from different authors who have dedicated
‘EMCAPP appreciates the cultural and linguistic diversity much in their life to observe and understand „man“ in the
of backgrounds of its members’ (4. statement below). As light of christian revelation. A very sincere thank to the
a Christian psychologist from Switzerland who has been organizers and to everyone who will contribute in any-
working in Latvija in the area of teaching and counseling way to this project.“
in the past nine years, I appreciate the efforts to publish
a journal with topics about the nature of man, hope and Francesco Cutino, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and psychothe-
change, as they will be gathered in the Internet Journal rapist, associate of the Italian Catholic Association of Psycho-
on Christian Psychology. The inclusion of anthropology logists and Psychiatrists, president founder of the association
„Jonas is on the way“, Rome, Italie
will help to expand the view of man beyond the different
models of psychology and join Christian psychologists in
their orientation and contribution to help citizens of all
cultures to more quality of life. It will also be a comfort Great joy! An international magazine on Christian Psy-
for practitioners like me to keep communicating about chology. Finally. I have travelled for forty years and more
psychology and a Christian view of man with the struggle through the desert! Starting to study psychology in 1965,
of translation. “There is no word for ‘piparkukas’ (a Lat- stones for bread. (University of Amsterdam). Graduate
vian Christmas delicacy) in Russian, and you in Switzer- studies offered a little shelter: Humanistic Psychology
land may not have a word for it either!” claimed one of (University of Utrecht). The cognitive revolution in Psy
my counselees this week. It is a joy to work with coun- brought no relief. I searched in Eastern life views and in
selees from different cultures and discover the aspects Anthroposophy, a two sided adventure. Conversion in
of our physical, psychological and spiritual nature as we 1984. I looked now for the ‚converted‘ psychology but
look together to God, who created us wonderfully. I wish did not find it at first. My co-christians practiced uncon-
for the contributors of this journal to share their deepe- verted psychology (Pastoral care) or weakly integrated,
ning knowledge as well as old and new discoveries across

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