(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has called on Gypsies to “turn the page” and give life to a new chapter in the history of the traditionally nomadic people.
“Time has come, he said, to uproot secular prejudice, preconceived ideas and the reciprocal diffidence that are often at the base of discrimination, racism and xenophobia” he said.
“No one must feel isolated” the Pope continued, and “no one is entitled to trample on the dignity and the rights of others”.
Pope Francis was speaking to some 7000 Gypsies gathered in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican for an audience marking the 50th anniversary of the Blessed Paul VI’s historic meeting with Roma people in a gypsy camp near Rome.
And highlighting the fact that every person has the right to a dignified life and a dignified job with access to education and health care, he told those present that they have the responsibility of building bridges with the rest of society in the name of a “peaceful co-habitation” in which different cultures and traditions can safeguard their values with an attitude of openness, with dialogue and integration.
“We do not want to have to witness any more family tragedies in which children die from cold or are burnt in fires” he said.
Nor – he continued – do we want to see children who are used like objects by depraved persons, or young people and women implicated in the trafficking of drugs or people.
Pope Francis exhorted the Roma, Sinti and other itinerant peoples to become protagonists of fraternity and sharing in our cities in which there is so much individualism.
“You can do this if you are good Christians, avoiding all that is not worthy of this name: lies, frauds, swindles, altercations” he said.
And the Pope held up the example of the Blessed Zeffirino Giménez Malla as a model of life and religiosity.
And urging those present to avoid giving the media and public opinion occasions to speak badly of Gypsies, he told them to be protagonists of their present and of their future.
And speaking of future Pope Francis said “children are your most precious treasure” and he pointed out that education is at the base of the healthy development of the person.
It is known, he said, that an insufficient level of education of many young Gypsy people represents the main obstacle in entering the world of work.
“Your children have the right to go to school, do not stop them from doing so!” he said.
And noting that it is the responsibility of adults to make sure their children obtain an education that will enable them to become citizens who can fully participate in the social, political and economic life of the country, Pope Francis also asked civil institutions to guarantee adequate formation courses for young Gypsies, giving those families most in need the possibility of being integrated in educational and labour programmes.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday (Oct. 26) addressed the members of the Synod of the Chaldean Church, reminding them that “the only authority is the authority of service, the only power is the power of the Cross”.
Listen to Devin Watkins’ report:
Pope Francis, in his address to the Chaldean bishops, spoke about the responsible use of authority in the Church, saying “journeying together is an easy concept to put into words, but not so easy to put into practice”.
The Holy Father urged them to “keep always before you the image of the Good Shepherd who is concerned for the salvation of his sheep … May you imitate him: zealous in seeking the salus animarum of priests as well as laity, realizing full well that the exercise of communion sometimes demands a genuine kenosis, a self-basement and self-spoliation.”
The Holy Father lamented the situation caused by hatred sowed through terrorism, saying it has created “a great hemorrhage of faithful who leave the lands of their fathers”.
In this vein, he said “this state of affairs clearly undermines the vital Christian presence in that land which witnessed the beginning of the journey of the Patriarch Abraham, heard the voice of the Prophets who called Israel to hope during the Exile, and saw the foundation of the first Churches upon the blood of many martyrs”.
The Pope affirmed the “complete support and solidarity of the Apostolic See in favour of the common good of the entire Chaldean Church”, as many Christians are displaced by violence.
Recognizing the Chaldean Church’s support of its members in the diaspora, the Holy Father called them to “work tirelessly as builders of unity in all the provinces of Iraq, fostering dialogue and cooperation among all those engaged in public life”.
He extended the call to the entire international community to sow seeds of peace in war-torn countries, “so that the life-giving breeze of love will once more be felt in places which have always been a crossroads for peoples, cultures and nations”.
Below, please find the official English translation of Pope Francis’ address:
Address of His Holiness Pope Francis
to Members of the Synod of the Chaldean Church
Monday, 26 October 2015
Your Beatitude,
Dear Brother Bishops,
I welcome you with joy and I thank His Beatitude Patriarch Louis Raphaël I Sako for his kind words. I take this occasion to reach out, through you, to the faithful and all those dwelling in the beloved lands of Iraq and Syria in this particularly troubled and sensitive moment, with a message of comfort and Christian solidarity. With the approach of the Jubilee Year, may God’s mercy soothe the wounds of war afflicting the heart of your communities, that no one may feel discouragment in this time when the outcry of violence seems to drown out our heartfelt prayers for peace.
Today the situation in your lands of origin is gravely compromised by the fanatical hatred sown by terrorism, which continues to cause a great hemorrhage of faithful who leave the lands of their fathers, where they grew up firmly rooted in the furrow of tradition. This state of affairs clearly undermines the vital Christian presence in that land which witnessed the beginning of the journey of the Patriarch Abraham, heard the voice of the Prophets who called Israel to hope during the Exile, and saw the foundation of the first Churches upon the blood of many martyrs. There too Christians bore witness to the fullness of the Gospel, made their specific contribution to the growth of society over centuries of peaceful coexistence with our Islamic brothers and sisters. Sadly, these are times which are instead marked by countless examples of persecution, and even martyrdom.
The Chaldean Church, which suffers from the war, is also conscious of the needs of the faithful in the diaspora, who are desirous to maintaining their solid roots while becoming part of new situations. So I confirm, today more than ever, the complete support and solidarity of the Apostolic See in favour of the common good of the entire Chaldean Church. I pray that Christians will not be forced to abandon Iraq and the Middle East – I think especially of the sons and daughters of your Church, and their rich traditions.
I urge you to work tirelessly as builders of unity in all the provinces of Iraq, fostering dialogue and cooperation among all those engaged in public life, and contributing to healing existing divisions while preventing new ones from arising.
Your visit enables me to renew my heartfelt appeal to the international community to adopt every useful strategy aimed at bringing peace to countries terribly devastated by hatred, so that the life-giving breeze of love will once more be felt in places which have always been a crossroads for peoples, cultures and nations. May the peace for which we all hope arise on the horizon of history, so that the grievous tragedies caused by violence may yield to a climate of mutual coexistence.
The Synod which you are celebrating these days in Urbe, is a “journeying together”, a favorable moment of exchange amid the diversities which enrich your fraternal communion under the gaze of Christ, the Good Shepherd. As I had occasion to say in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops, “Journeying together is an easy concept to put into words, but not so easy to put into practice… Let us never forget this! For the disciples of Jesus, yesterday, today and always, the only authority is the authority of service, the only power is the power of the cross. As the Master tells us: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave” (Mt 20:25-27). It shall not be so among you: in this expression we touch the heart of the mystery of the Church, and we receive the enlightenment necessary to understand our hierarchical service” (Address for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Synod of Bishops, 17 October 2015).
I ask, then, to take up the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to have among you the mind of Christ (cf. Phil 2:5), acting with mercy, humility, patience and a mutual acceptance which gives rise to communion.
May the work of the Synod reflect a sense of responsibility, participation and service. Keep always before you the image of the Good Shepherd who is concerned for the salvation of his sheep, and is especially concerned for those who have strayed. May you imitate him: zealous in seeking the salus animarum of priests as well as laity, realizing full well that the exercise of communion sometimes demands a genuine kenosis, a self-basement and self-spoliation.
I encourage you to be a father to your priests and all consecrated men and woman, who are your primary collaborators, and, in respect for tradition and canonical norms, to be accepting of them, benevolent and understanding of their needs, discerning ways to help them be ever more aware of the demands of their ministry and service to the faithful. In doing so, you will bridge distances and discern the response to be given to the pressing needs of the Chaldean Church today, in your native lands and in the diaspora. In this way the reflections which emerge from your discussions will be able to provide fruitful solutions to your current needs and points of convergence for resolving liturgical and more general issues.
As I urge you to carry on your pastoral responsibilities with fraternal communion and a missionary spirit, I ask all of you, their pastors, to bring my words of encouragement to the faithful of the Chaldean Church. May they echo on your lips as a caress from the Pope which warms their hearts.
Entrusting the Chaldean Church to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary, I impart to you, your priests and religious, and all the faithful, my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of hope and consolation in the love of our Merciful God.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday urged the “abolition of war” while meeting participants in a training course for military chaplains jointly organized by the Congregation for Bishops, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
The course explored some of the current challenges of international humanitarian law regarding the protection of human dignity during internal armed conflicts and the so-called “new conflicts.”
Pope Francis told the participants the issue is “unfortunately, very topical” due to the increased violence and armed conflicts in different parts of the world, such as Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
“In this age, in which we are experiencing a ‘piecemeal third world war ‘, you are called upon to supply the military and their families with the spiritual and ethical dimensions which help them to face the difficulties and often harrowing questions inherent in this peculiar service to their country and to humanity,” he said.
“Many soldiers return from war operations or peacemaking missions with real inner wounds,” Pope Francis said. “War can leave an indelible mark in them. War, in fact, always leaves an indelible mark.”
Pope Francis said it is appropriate to wonder how to treat the spiritual wounds of soldiers who have witnessed atrocities during war.
“These people and their families require specific pastoral attention, which allows them to feel the maternal presence of the Church,” Pope Francis said. “The role of the chaplain is to accompany them and support them in their journey, as a fraternal and comforting presence.”
Pope Francis also spoke of the role humanitarian law plays in safeguarding the essential principles of humanity in a context which is “itself dehumanizing.”
The Holy Father pointed out humanitarian law aims to protect non-combatants; tries to ban weapons which cause horrible and unnecessary suffering,; and attempts to protect the natural environment and cultural heritage. He said because of this important mission, humanitarian law deserves to be “promoted and spread” among all militaries and armed forces, “including non-state actors.”
“In addition, it needs to be further developed, to deal with the new reality of the war, which today, unfortunately, uses increasingly deadly tools,” said Pope Francis.
“However, as Christians, we are deeply convinced that the ultimate goal, the most worthy of the person and the human community, is the abolition of war,” he said.
“Therefore, we must always strive to build bridges that bring us together, and not walls that keep us apart; we always have to help search for an opening to mediation and reconciliation; we must never give in to the temptation of considering the other only as an enemy to be destroyed, but rather as a person, endowed with inherent dignity, created by God in His image,” Pope Francis said.
“Even in the midst of the lacerations of war” – the Holy Father said – “we must never get tired of remembering that each person is extraordinarily sacred.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Sunday 25 Oct. Lines of faithful spiraled around St. Peter’s Square from early on Sunday awaiting their chance to enter St. Peter’s Basilica for the closing Mass of the Synod on the Family. The Mass, presided over by Pope Francis, marked the end of the second gathering of the Synod of Bishops to discuss “The Mission and Vocation of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World.”
Families from all over the world filled the Basilica. As the Synod Fathers walked down the aisle people waived eagerly when they spotted their own bishop – or, of course, their favourite cardinal!
In his homily Pope Francis concentrated on the readings of the day. He said that the three readings “show us God’s compassion, his fatherhood, definitively revealed in Jesus.”
The prophet Jeremiah, the Holy Father said, proclaims that God has saved his people, the remnant of Israel, because he is their Father. God takes care of his people and accompanies them on their way. “God will change their captivity into freedom, their solitude into communion,” he said.
Commenting on the Second Reading from the letter to the Hebrews, Pope Francis said that it reveals Jesus’ compassion. Jesus is “beset with weakness, so that he can feel compassion for those in ignorance and error.”
Pope Francis said that Gospel was directly linked to the First Reading. Jesus’ compassion frees Bartimaeus. “Jesus is moved by his request and becomes involved in his situation.” The Holy Father said that it was significant that he is told to “take heart” which means, “have faith, strong courage!” He went on to say that Jesus gives people strength to face difficult situations. He said that the second important word was “rise”. “When humanity’s cry, like Bartimaeus’, becomes stronger still, there is no other response than to make Jesus’ words our own and, above all, imitate his heart.”
Pope Francis warned of temptations for those who follow Jesus. He said that Mark’s Gospel showed at least two of them. First, none of the disciples stopped to do anything for the blind man, they were deaf, and his problem was not theirs. The Holy Father said that we, today, could do the same. He said that this can be called a “spirituality of illusion” because “we can walk through the streets of humanity without seeing what is really there; instead we see what we want to see.”
The second temptation the Pope spoke of was the danger of falling into a “scheduled faith.” He said this is when we are able to walk with the People of God but we already have “our schedule for the journey, where everything is listed”. By doing this, the Holy Father said, we run the risk of becoming like the “many” in the Gospel who lose patience with Bartimaeus.
Pope Francis said “Just a short time before, they scolded the children, and now the blind beggar: whoever bothers us or is not of our stature is excluded. Jesus, on the other hand, wants to include, above all those kept on the fringes who are crying out to him. They, like Bartimaeus, have faith, because awareness of the need for salvation is the best way of encountering Jesus.”
In the end, Pope Francis added, Bartimaeus “did not only regain his sight, but he joined the community of those who walk with Jesus.”
The Holy Father thanked the Synod Fathers who have “walked together.” He said that, with eyes fixed on Jesus, they have searched for paths “which the Gospel indicates for our times so that we can proclaim the mystery of family love.” He told the Synod Fathers that now they have to “follow the path the Lord desires” not allowing “ourselves to be tarnished by pessimism or sin, let us seek and look upon the glory of God, which shines forth in men and women who are fully alive.”
The prayers of the faithful were read in five languages – including Chinese, French, Polish, English, and Hindi – praying for the Church, families, world leaders, the economic situation and the poor, suffering and lonely.
The president-delegates of the Synod and the general secretaries concelebrated with Pope Francis.
At the end of the Mass, before leaving the Basilica, the Salve Regina was sung. The Holy Father paused at the image of the Holy Family during the Salve Regina and then, left the Basilica with the bishops in procession down the main aisle.
(Fr. Russell Pollitt, SJ)
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Prayerful and practical solidarity with every family that has been forced to flee a homeland torn by strife and to seek a better future in distant lands and far-off shores: this was the promise of Pope Francis in remarks to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square before the Angelus prayer this Sunday.
Drawing on the first reading of the XXX Sunday in Ordinary Time, from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, which tells of the Lord’s promise to deliver His faithful people from captivity and restore them to liberty, Pope Francis said, “[T]his prophecy of a people on their way is one I have also confronted with the images of refugees making their way along the streets of Europe, a dramatic reality of our times. God says to them: ‘They left weeping, I shall lead them back amid consolations.’ Those families most suffering, uprooted from their land, were present with us in the Synod as well: in our prayers and in our work, through the voice of some of their pastors present at the meeting. These people in search of dignity, these families searching for peace, remain with us still: the Church does not abandon them, for they are part of the people that God desires to free from slavery and lead to freedom.”
The traditional prayer of Marian devotion followed Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, to mark the closing of the XIV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which met in Rome over the past three weeks for prayerful reflection and discussion of the vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world.
In his homily, Pope Francis reflected on the story recounted in the reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, in which the Lord miraculously restores the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, to sight. The Holy Father focused on the way the story dramatizes the need for all of us in the Church to make sure that our desires are ordered to Christ, and then to be confident in approaching Him with humility as we ask Him for every blessing – even as we are mindful of all He has done for us, and desirous of sharing the Good News with those, who need it most.
“Let us follow the path that the Lord desires,” said Pope Francis. “Let us ask Him to turn to us with his healing and saving gaze, which knows how to radiate light, as it recalls the splendour which illuminates it.” The Holy Father concluded, saying, “Never allowing ourselves to be tarnished by pessimism or sin, let us seek and look upon the glory of God, which shines forth in men and women who are fully alive.”
(from Vatican Radio)…