Our news feeds all over the world are gripped with various global concerns - the impact of plastics on ocean creatures, unusual flooding activity in unusual times and places, sinking cities, political showdowns between people and politicians, various issues of injustice such as racial discrimination, the abuse of children, conflict and wars. Governments band together against each other to display their power and eminence, and the people face the consequences of these actions.
In such a scenario, the Christian cry is naturally, “Come, Lord Jesus.” As we look helplessly into the global situation and yet play our tiny parts in promoting responsible, sustainable living, the recurring question in our heard is “how can we put things right?” That is of course an eschatological longing as we wait for the return of Christ to fully reign as our just and righteous King.
On this side of eschatology, it is fitting for us to ask the question “how can I live today in light of eternity?” Which extends to the questions of “how can I run my business, or lead a company, or lead my family, or ministry, or even how do I influence others along the journey towards becoming or bringing about righteousness and justice today?”
The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, are made up of 17 goals for transformation, that nations can pursue according to their unique priorities. The 17 sustainable development goals are developed acknowledging the serious costs and damage that unbridled development has done to people and planet for the sake of economic growth. Incidentally, it is our 17 episode and that was purely unintentional
In the recent SDG Summit in early November, the Minister of Islamic Affairs Mujahid Yusof Rawa presented the Islamic perspective of sustainable development. And so in this episode we take the opportunity to also lend the Christian voice to unpack what good governance, or right living is about in light of Scripture.
For this, Rev. Fr. Clarence Devadas, Director of the Catholic Research Centre has graciously recorded his view for us on the area of good governance. In this address he talks about 3 Scriptural concepts to look at: humanity’s responsibility to be stewards, God-given political authority, and the common good.
Clarence is actively involved in Kairos Dialogue Network, an ecumenical network of Christian thinkers and leaders dedicated to the strengthening and advancement of Christian-Muslim relations in Malaysia. Kairos Dialogue Network believes that the peaceful coexistence of the two religious communities is entirely possible and greatly beneficial to the progress of civil society.
On Rev. Fr. Clarence Devadas:
Rev Fr Dr Clarence Devadass, a Catholic Priest of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, holds a Doctorate in Theology (Moral Theology) from the Academia Alfonsiana, a Roma, Italia (2004).
He is currently the Director of the Catholic Research Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Executive Secretary of the Office of Theological Concerns in the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) and a Visiting Research Associate at the University of Nottingham, Malaysia.
In 2013, Pope Francis appointed him as a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and in 2017, was a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Apart from teaching, speaking at conferences and writing regularly in some publications, he recently contributed and also co-edited the book ‘The Future of Evangelization in Asia’, published by Urbaniana University Press.
As a Diocesan Priest, he also engages in some pastoral work in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.
