“Listening deeply, crossing cultural boundaries, and standing with the voiceless are not optional extras, they are at the heart of the Gospel lived out in today’s world.” Dr. Alex Perera
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| Dr. Alex Perera, Member MCGP ICMICA Sri Lanka |
"Jesus walked this earth as the voice of the voiceless, a truth that Catholic lay professional organizations across the world need to take seriously as they plan for the future," says Dr. Alex Perera of the Movement of Catholic Graduates and Professionals (MCGP–ICMICA), Sri Lanka.
In a conversation with News Whisperer, Dr. Perera reflected on how this core Christian reality should shape the mission and priorities of lay professionals today. He pointed to the process of synodality, introduced by Pope Francis, as a guiding principle, especially when engaging with the institutional Church.
“Synodality should remain central in our relationship with the official Church,” Dr. Perera said. “It helps us grow in communion, participation, and a shared sense of mission.” But he was quick to add that the approach needs to evolve when Catholic organizations step beyond Church structures and into the wider world. In those spaces, he believes synodality must be lived through an intercultural lens, rather than being confined to interreligious dialogue alone.
News Whisperer strongly resonates with this view. An intercultural approach, the publication notes, naturally includes interreligious dialogue, without placing it at the center in a way that might unintentionally exclude others. It creates room for people of different faiths, cultures, and even those without a clearly defined religious identity to engage freely and meaningfully.
“When we limit ourselves to strictly religious frameworks,” the publication observes, “we risk shutting out important voices and losing valuable opportunities for encounter, solidarity, and genuine transformation.”
In a world marked by diversity and division, Dr. Perera’s message is a timely reminder: listening deeply, crossing cultural boundaries, and standing with the voiceless are not optional extras, they are at the heart of the Gospel lived out in today’s world.
News Whisperer -2025.12.19
This write-up offers a thoughtful and timely reflection on the Gospel lived in today’s complex, pluralistic world. Dr. Alex Perera’s insights compellingly link synodality with an intercultural openness that goes beyond institutional and religious boundaries, emphasizing listening, inclusion, and solidarity with the voiceless. Aranchi Raala / News Whisperer effectively amplifies this message, making it both spiritually grounded and socially relevant for contemporary Catholic lay professionals and readers alike.
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