Fr. Tony Moreno.CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Maria Elizabeth Soriano / 13 Oct) – Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) is very proud of Fr. Antonio F. Moreno, S.J.
Fr. Tony, XU Vice-President for Social Development and concurrently Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, has been elected by the Board of Trustees of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University as the new ADZU President.
Fr. Tony is a true blue Atenean. He studied at XU from grade school to college. In 1981, he went to Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) for his AB Pre-Divinity; for his novitiate and juniorate; and his MA in Sociology.
In 1987, he taught at the Ateneo de Zamboanga High School. Two years later, he finished his Bachelor in Sacred Theology and MA in Theology at the Loyola School of Theology at ADMU.
Later, Fr. Tony went to the United Kingdom and earned a Master in Philosophy of Development Studies and proceeded to get a doctorate degree in the same field at the University of Sussex, Brighton (a university known for its groundbreaking interdisciplinary approach, political engagement and activism).
This young and distinguished member of the Society of Jesus has animated the spirit of civic engagement on campus and in the city by initiating lectures, discussions and fora on socio-political issues.
Fr. Tony chairs the One Voice Movement in Cagayan de Oro and just recently hosted a forum on the impending Power Crisis in Mindanao.
In addition to his previous appointment as Dean of the XU College of Arts and Sciences, Fr. Tony was appointed October last year as Vice President for Social Development by XU President Fr Jet Villarin, S.J.
In this capacity, Fr. Tony was tasked to design and implement a blueprint of the University's social development agenda for Mindanao in general and Region X in particular, in consultation with various socially oriented organizations and offices in the university; streamline, coordinate, consolidate and strengthen our school-based social formation programs in concert with the Deans and KKP.
And engage with civil society organizations and development NGOs, the private sector, government agencies, local government units, faith-based organizations and the Jesuit social apostolate network in addressing the concerns of development, governance, poverty reduction, and sustainable development in Region X and Mindanao.
On top of all these, the Office of the Vice President for Social Development was also responsible for those units in the University that have been involved in the life of local communities. These units include, among others, the Xavier Science Foundation, SEARSOLIN, and KKP, XU Center for Legal Assistance, and college-based extension or outreach programs.
Fr. Tony will replace Fr. William H. Kreutz, S.J. as ADZU president by March next year, as soon as the graduation of batch 2007 is completed. Fr. Bill is scheduled to visit Cagayan de Oro on November 12, 2006 for a thanksgiving dinner meeting with local ADZU alumni whom he wants to thank for their support during his tenure, according to Ms Carmencita Balatbat-Macasinag, director for alumni relations.
During the holy mass he celebrated at the XU Loyola House Chapel for the members of the Circulo Zamboangueno on Thursday, Fr. Tony acknowledged the enormity of the task facing him but remains confident God will give him the strength to do a good job as reflected in his brief homily, "What can you do for Zamboanga?"
As long time Circulo regular, Joe Nebrao later put following the “cena communal” at the XU canteen for over 80 members and their families who joined the get-together, "Cagayan de Oro's loss is Zamboanga's gain." (With a report from Mike Banos)
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