Dominican leader says the world is good by nature

The world remains good by nature despite wars and disasters, Dominican Order Master Gerard Francisco Timoner III told ERR’s “Ringvaade” programme during his first visit to Estonia as head of the order.

Timoner, a Filipino priest who has led the Dominican Order since the summer of 2019, said Dominicans share the cultures and languages of the people among whom they live. They believe in the teaching of Saint Dominic that everything created by God is good, he said.

During his visit, Timoner also met students at Tallinn Old Town Educational College. He said young people know what is happening in the world and have strong hopes and good ideas for making it a better place.

Timoner said some younger Dominican friars are active on social media, although he does not use TikTok himself. He described artificial intelligence as a tool that can be used for good or bad, and warned about the rapid spread of false news online. Critical thinking is essential, he said, adding that a half-truth is “100 percent false”.

The Dominican Order was founded in 1215 by the Spanish nobleman Dominic. Dominicans arrived in Estonia in the 13th century and established a monastery in Tallinn. An attempt to establish one in Narva in the 16th century was largely unsuccessful.