In Veritate Lux : Jurnal Ilmu Kateketik Pastoral Teologi, Pendidikan, Antropologi, dan Budaya

ANTARA DISIPLIN DAN KRIMINALISASI GURU: TINJAUAN TEOLOGIS PASTORAL ATAS KRISIS OTORITAS PENDIDIKAN

Helmina Simanjuntak, Roida Sihombing, Felisitas Yuswanto — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The criminalization of teachers in the context of student discipline reveals a profound crisis of authority within contemporary education. This article aims to examine the tension between pedagogical discipline and legal mechanisms through a theological-pastoral perspective. Employing a qualitative approach grounded in critical pastoral theology, the study integrates empirical data from international institutional reports and educational policy analyses with normative theological reflection rooted in Scripture and Church teachings.

The discussion demonstrates that the weakening legitimacy of teacher authority, the growing climate of fear due to legal prosecution, and the disintegration of shared responsibility between schools and parents contribute significantly to the erosion of character education and the rise of aggressive student behavior. From a Christian theological perspective, discipline is understood as a pedagogical act grounded in moral responsibility and service rather than as an expression of violence. This article argues that the crisis of authority in education is both structural and pastoral, requiring active engagement from the Church to restore healthy relationships among educators, parents, and students. Contextual theological-pastoral reflection is proposed as a meaningful contribution to the renewal of educational practice and the strengthening of character formation amid contemporary social and legal challenges.

DEMOKRASI DELIBERATIF HABERMAS DAN PROBLEMATIKA IDEOLOGI DI RUANG PUBLIK DIGITAL

Silfanus Jemadin, Ando Tahamin — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The development of digital technology has significantly transformed public spaces and contemporary democratic practices. Social media and digital platforms provide new spaces for broader political participation, but at the same time pose serious challenges to deliberative democracy. This article aims to analyze the problems of ideology in digital public spaces and their implications for the quality of democratic deliberation. This researchuses a qualitative approach with a literature study method and critical discourse analysis of relevant academic literature. The results of the study show that ideological polarization, the echo chamber phenomenon, the emotionalization of political discourse, the spread of disinformation, and digital power imbalances have weakened the communicative rationality that is the foundation of deliberative democracy. The findings of this article emphasize the importance of strengthening digital literacy, public discourse ethics, and digital platform governance as efforts to maintain the quality of deliberative democracy in the digital era.

IMAN KRISTIANI DI TENGAH KEHIDUPAN POLITIK DAN PERDAMAIAN DUNIA: REFLEKSI TEOLOGIS ATAS GAUDIUM ET SPES 73-78

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The study offers a theological examination of the relationship between Christian faith, political life, and the vocation to build world peace, grounded in Gaudium et Spes articles 73–78. Within the contemporary global context marked by armed conflicts, democratic crises, ideological polarization, and structural injustice, the study reaffirms the enduring relevance of the Second Vatican Council’s social theology for the presence of Christian faith in the public sphere. Employing a qualitative research design, the study is based on a literature review with a textual–contextual analysis of conciliar documents, combined with critical engagement with works in social theology and Christian political ethics. The findings indicate that, from the perspective of faith, politics is understood as a form of service to the common good (bonum commune) and as a concrete arena for the enactment of the ethical responsibility of believers. The relationship between Church and state is articulated through the principle of a healthy and dialogical autonomy, which enables the Church to exercise its moral and prophetic role without succumbing to the logic of power or domination. Furthermore, Gaudium et Spes affirms that authentic peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the fruit of justice rooted in God’s reconciling work in Christ. Accordingly, Christian faith is presented as a transformative force with an essential public dimension, one that fosters the ethical engagement of believers in the pursuit of justice and peace in the world.

ETIKA PENGGUNAAN KECERDASAN BUATAN DALAM PERSPEKTIF TEOLOGI MORAL KATOLIK

Roida Sihombing, Helmina Simanjuntak, Laurentius Prasetyo — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The development of artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping the ways human beings learn, think, and make decisions, particularly in the areas of education and moral formation. This situation raises fundamental ethical questions, especially concerning human freedom and responsibility as moral subjects. This article reflects on the use of artificial intelligence from the perspective of Catholic moral theology, taking human dignity as its primary point of departure.

This study employs a qualitative approach through a method of theological reflection, drawing on Sacred Scripture, the Catholic moral tradition, official Church documents, and relevant contemporary theological literature. The findings indicate that artificial intelligence can serve as a valuable aid to human life, yet it also carries the risk of weakening human freedom and obscuring moral responsibility when used without adequate ethical reflection. Excessive reliance on AI, particularly in educational contexts, may diminish critical thinking, intellectual virtues, and the process of moral character formation.

In the light of Catholic faith, artificial intelligence should be understood as an instrument at the service of the human person, rather than as a substitute for human moral agency in thinking, choosing, and acting responsibly. This reflection seeks to enrich Catholic moral theology by offering a more contextual and humane response to the ethical challenges posed by contemporary technological developments.

MAKNA TEOLOGIS UPACARA PENGHORMATAN SALIB PADA JUMAT AGUNG

Antonius P Sipahutar, Putra Rinduan Hulu — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The veneration of the cross on Good Friday constitutes a central rite in the liturgy of the Catholic Church, making present the mystery of Christ’s passion and death as the heart of Christian faith. In pastoral practice, however, this rite is often understood primarily as a personal devotional act or merely a liturgical custom without sufficient liturgical-theological reflection. This article analyzes the veneration of the cross within the framework of liturgical theology as a locus theologicus, highlighting its soteriological, participatory, kerygmatic, ecclesial, and eschatological dimensions. Employing a qualitative approach through library research, the study engages Sacred Scripture, magisterial documents, and relevant theological literature. The findings demonstrate that the veneration of the cross is not simply an expression of individual piety but an anamnetic and performative ecclesial act that actualizes faith in Christ’s redemptive work, enables participation in His passion, proclaims divine love manifested on the cross, and fosters eschatological hope. Consequently, the rite affirms the liturgy as an action of Christ and the Church, shaping the soteriological awareness and ecclesial identity of the faithful while encouraging conscious and active participation in the Paschal Mystery.

Key words: Good Friday; veneration of the cross; anamnesis; redemption.

SEMANGAT KEBANGSAAN KAUM RELIGIUS KATOLIK SEBAGAI UPAYA KONTRA-RADIKALISME AGAMA DI MASYARAKAT PLURAL KOTA PONTIANAK

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Religious radicalism is a multidimensional phenomenon arising from the complex interaction of theological, social, political, economic, and educational factors. In pluralistic societies such as Pontianak, radicalism has the potential to disrupt social cohesion if not addressed through a comprehensive approach that integrates faith, ethics, and social practice. This study aims to analyze how Catholic monks and nuns internalize and actualize the spirit of nationalism as a counter-radicalism strategy, while also understanding the meaning of Church teachings in the context of diversity, democracy, and respect for human dignity. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with religious figures across several parishes of the Archdiocese of Pontianak and analyzed thematically. The findings indicate that radicalism prevention is carried out through enlightening Catholic religious education, interfaith dialogue, the reinforcement of tolerance values, respect for human dignity, development of critical thinking, and active engagement in diverse communities. The implementation of the spirit of nationalism not only strengthens loyalty to the state but also affirms the Gospel’s call to live in fraternity, solidarity, and justice. Accordingly, monks and nuns serve as agents of social transformation, embodying Gospel values while enhancing cohesion and peace in pluralistic societies.

SPIRITUALITAS SANTO IGNATIUS DE LOYOLA: DISKRESI ROH DAN RELEVANSINYA BAGI KEHIDUPAN IMAN KONTEMPORER

Maximilian Edward Tjang, Fanny Indarto, Yanto Sandy Tjang — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The study examines the spirituality of Saint Ignatius of Loyola by positioning the discernment of spirits as the core of the Ignatian faith experience and by exploring its relevance within the context of contemporary Christian life. Drawing on Saint Ignatius of Loyola’s conversion experience as processed through profound reflection, the study demonstrates that Ignatian spirituality developed as an approach to faith rooted in the dynamics of the human interior life and in openness to the action of the Holy Spirit within concrete life situations. Employing a qualitative method through library research, the study analyzes the principal works of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, particularly the Spiritual Exercises, as well as relevant contemporary literature in spiritual theology. The findings indicate that the discernment of spirits cannot be reduced to a form of psychological introspection; rather, it constitutes an integrative spiritual process that engages reason, affectivity, and the will in responsible decision-making oriented toward Gospel values. The Spiritual Exercises are understood as a holistic method of personal transformation, while the principles of finding God in all things and magis affirm the continuing relevance of Ignatian spirituality in addressing the challenges of the modern world. Accordingly, Ignatian spirituality offers a reflective, dialogical, and transformative framework of faith for contemporary Christian living.

INTEGRASI GAME-BASED LEARNING DALAM PENDIDIKAN AGAMA KATOLIK: ANALISIS SISTEMATIS DAN IMPLIKASI PEDAGOGIS

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The development of digital technology demands pedagogical innovation in Catholic Religious Education (CRE), particularly at the Catholic Junior High School (SMPK) level. One emerging approach is Game-Based Learning (GBL). This study aims to systematically analyze the integration of GBL in CRE and to formulate its pedagogical implications for improving the quality of learning. The research employs a Systematic Literature Review method, with data sources drawn from Google Scholar, ERIC, Scopus, and Garuda within the 2019–2025 period. The initial search yielded 132 articles, and after a selection process based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 28 articles were analyzed in depth. The synthesis results indicate that GBL is effective in enhancing students’ motivation and engagement; however, most studies still focus on cognitive aspects and have not extensively explored the dimension of faith formation. Therefore, the integration of GBL in CRE needs to be situated within a holistic faith pedagogy framework through stages of strengthening faith content, contextual game design, active engagement, value reflection, and the internalization and transformation of attitudes. This study contributes conceptually by proposing an integrative framework of GBL in CRE and offers practical implications for junior high school teachers in designing innovative and reflective learning.