Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile: Project “A weekly reflection” premieres its first podcast

Two years and fifty reflections, those are the numbers of this initiative of hope that managed to start just before the social outbreak and the pandemic. It bears the name of “A Weekly Reflection” and seeks to deliver a message of hope from the UC academic community and thus contribute to the conversation and reflection within the family, the Church community and society.

In its beginnings, it was delivered to parishes on paper, but today it is published in web and podcast format .

“The initiative of the weekly reflection arises with the idea of ​​being able to contact us from the university with the parishes, initially in the Metropolitan Region and in the future with those of the whole country. For us it is very important to be able to express from the academic world some reflections on issues of faith and people’s lives. We wanted to have a very direct dialogue not only with society, as we can do with opinion columns in newspapers, radios, and television, but with the parishioners they attend mass weekly, with whom we share the faith ”, explains Rector Ignacio Sánchez .

To carry out this work, an editorial committee was formed, made up of the rector Ignacio Sánchez, members of the university and the archbishopric of Santiago. They are defining the topics and possible teachers to write the text.

“The written and biweekly reflection was delivered in each parish so that, after Sunday mass, people would take the printed document home and could analyze the issue as a family,” he explains. “We have had guests from all disciplines, from all knowledge of the university, and our Grand Chancellor and some bishops have also participated,” says the rector.

To carry out this work, an editorial committee was formed made up of the rector Ignacio Sánchez, members of the university and the archbishopric of Santiago. They are defining the topics and possible teachers to write the text.

The messages published have addressed topics such as science, dignity, compassion and even indigenous peoples. For example, near the date of celebration of the Virgen del Carmen, in July, “ María, Señora del Amparo y la Fuerza ” was published, written by Professor Paulina Gómez Lorenzini ( listen to podcast ); and in April 2020 the topic was addressed: ” Science brings us closer to God ” by Professor Rafael Vicuña.


“For us it is very important to be able to express from the academic world some reflections on issues of faith and people’s lives” – Rector Ignacio Sánchez

Last year, one of the texts was written by the rector emeritus Pedro Pablo Rosso. Under the title “ The care of human life ”, it invited us to act in defense of the fundamental right that emanates from our dignity as persons: the right to life .

“It is time to join those who oppose the decriminalization of abortion and euthanasia, to defend the right to life of those who have not yet been born and the right to a truly dignified death, not provided, of all terminally ill patients. to mothers of unwanted pregnancies, to the helpless elderly, to people with severe disabilities. Let us take care of our own life by following the recommendations of preventive medicine and respecting speed limits. Let us be proactive in our opposition to wars, to violence social, to all forms of injustice and restriction of citizens’ rights. Let us protect the environment out of respect for the lives of future generations, “says the message posted.

Next year more universities will join
As explained by the rector Ignacio Sánchez, next year a new cycle will begin, in which he will join other institutions.

“We are already opening this invitation to other Catholic universities in the country. The rector Claudio Elórtegui of the Catholic University of Valparaíso will be the first to participate, “says the UC authority. This invitation will include the universities of the Chilean chapter of Catholic universities, made up of eight institutions, and there will be, at less, two or three representatives of each of them.

“We want to continue in the biweekly format for the next few months, but sometime in 2022 we want to move to a weekly format,” says the rector.