(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday speaking to the members of the Italian Committee for Bioethics, underlined how the Church supports the efforts of civil society to promote, “the search for truth and goodness on complex human and ethical issues”.
He told those gathered that the Church had a sensibility to ethical issues adding that “the Church did not claim any special voice in this field.” But, what he highlighted was the importance of serving man, all men and women, he said, with special attention and care, from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, who are struggling find the their voice.
On this level, he said, “the ecclesial community and civil society meet and are called to cooperate, in accordance with their distinct skills. ”
Respect for the human person from conception to natural death
The Pope noted the fact that the Committee “had repeatedly dealt with the respect for the integrity of the human being and the protection of health from conception to natural death, considering the person in his singularity, always as an end and never simply as a means “:
He added that “this ethical principle was also crucial with regard to biotechnology applications in the medical field, which may never be used in a manner detrimental to human dignity, or guided solely by industrial or commercial purposes”.
Bioethical research on complex issues, the Pope emphasized, is not easy and does not always quickly reach a harmonious conclusion; it always requires humility and realism, he said.
Concluding his address, the Holy Father stressed three specific areas in which he wanted to encourage the committee’s work.
The first was the interdisciplinary analysis of the causes of environmental degradation.
The Pope said, he hoped that the Committee would formulate guidelines, in areas that concern the life sciences, to stimulate actions of conservation, preservation and care of the environment essential for future generations.
Secondly, he highlighted the issue of disability and marginalization of vulnerable groups, in a society he said, tending towards competition, and the acceleration of progress.
The culture of waste
Pope Francis stressed the importance and challenge of tackling what he called “the culture of waste,” which, he underlined had many forms, such as treating human embryos and even the sick and elderly who are approaching death as disposable materials.
Thirdly, the Holy Father encouraged the committee to work towards increasing dialogue internationally, even if, he said, that presented difficulties, in order to reach a harmonization of biological and medical standards and rules so that they are able to recognize core values and fundamental rights.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday received the President of the Republic of Togo, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who later met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, who was accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States.
A communique from the Holy See Press Office called the meeting “cordial” and said the parties took note of the good relations existing between the Holy See and Togo, and the prospects for their further consolidation. The talks then focused on the contribution of Catholics to the development of the country and the integral progress of the Togolese people, especially in the field of education.
The communique said they also reviewed a number of challenges affecting the countries of West Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, stressing the need for a common commitment to work towards peace and security in the region.
During the meeting, Pope Francis gave the President copies of the Encyclical Laudato si’ and the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. President Gnassingbé gave the Holy Father a framed work of abstract art, created by an artist of Togo.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The heart of the Christian is magnanimous because we were born of a loving Father and our arms should be open wide to welcome everyone with generosity – that’s what the Pope said at Thursday morning’s Mass at the Santa Marta guesthouse in the Vatican. Among those attending the Mass was a number of priests who celebrated with the Pope their 50th year of ordination.
Listen to this report by Tracey McClure:
The Christian is a witness to the light of God
“The mystery of God is light” – says Pope Francis – who comments on the day’s Gospel in which Jesus says that the lamp does not come “to be put under a bushel, or under the bed, but to be put on the lampstand to illuminate: ”
“And this is one of the traits of a Christian who has received the light in Baptism and must give it. That is, the Christian is a witness. Testimony. One of the peculiarities of Christian behavior. A Christian who brings this light, must show it because he is a witness. When a Christian would prefer not to show the light of God but prefers his own darkness, this enters his heart because he is afraid of the light . And the idols, which are dark, he likes best. So he lacks: he’s missing something and is not a true Christian. Witness: a Christian is a witness. Of Jesus Christ, the Light of God. He has to put that light on the lampstand of his life.”
The Christian is magnanimous: loses in order to gain Christ
In the Gospel, Jesus says: “The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you.” “Another trait of the Christian,” says the Pope, “is magnanimity, because he is the child of a magnanimous father, of great heart.”
“The Christian heart is magnanimous. It is open, always. It is not a heart that is closed in on its own selfishness. Or one that’s calculating: up to this point, up to here. When you enter this light of Jesus, when you enter into Jesus’ friendship, when you let yourself be guided by the Holy Spirit, the heart becomes open, magnanimous… The Christian, then, does not gain, but loses. But he loses to gain something else, and in this (between quotation marks) ‘defeat’ of interests, he gains Jesus; he gains by becoming Jesus’ witness.”
Thanks to the priests who have given light
Pope Francis then addresses those present who are celebrating 50 years of service in the priesthood:
“For me it is a joy to celebrate with you today, as you mark the 50 th anniversary of your priesthood: 50 years on the path of light and giving witness, 50 years of trying to be better, trying to bring light to the lampstand. Sometimes we fall, but we get up again, always with the desire to give light, generously, that is, with a magnanimous heart. Only God and your own memory know how many people you have received generously with the kindness of fathers, of brothers … to how many people whose heart was a bit ‘dark’ have you given light, the light of Jesus. Thank you. Thank you for what you have done in the Church, for the Church and for Jesus.”
“May the Lord give you joy, this great joy,” the Pope concluded, “of having sown well, of having shown light well and of having opened your arms to receive all with magnanimity.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The 51st International Eucharistic Congress is taking place this week in Cebu, Philippines.
The event brings together thousands of people from around the world, to worship together and to celebrate the Eucharist.
The head of Vatican Radio’s English Section, Seán Patrick Lovett is in Cebu for the Congress. He said Thursday’s highlight was the address by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who spoke on the topic of “The Eucharist and Culture.” The Cardinal spoke of the need for a kind of “cultural intelligence,” which he defined as “a cultural awareness that allows us to meet people where they are at.”
Listen to Seán Patrick Lovett’s report:
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday spoke about God’s mercy throughout history, and in our own day.
Listen to Christopher Wells’ report:
In his weekly General Audience, Pope Francis noted that the Lord always accompanied the people of Israel, and showed how God continues to work in our own time as well.
He pointed to the story of Joseph and his brothers as an example of grace and reconciliation, and said the Jubilee Year of Mercy was a good opportunity to reconcile with family members.
The example of Moses, who led the Israelites from slavery to freedom, shows that “mercy cannot remain indifferent in the face of the suffering of the oppressed, the cry of those subject to violence, reduced to slavery, condemned to death.” Suffering is a reality in every age, a reality that can make us feel impotent, and tempt us to indifference. But, Pope Francis said, “God is not indifferent, He never looks away from human suffering.” The God of mercy hears the groaning of the poor and intervenes to save them, especially by “raising up men and women able to hear the cries of the suffering, and working in favour of the oppressed.”
As Moses was God’s instrument leading the people of Israel to freedom, we too, especially in this Year of Mercy, can be mediators of God’s mercy. “There are so many good things we can do!” the Pope said.
Turning again to the history of the people of Israel, Pope Francis spoke of how God made a covenant with the people, creating a special, privileged relationship with them. This special relationship, brought to fulfilment through the Blood of Christ, “destroys our sin through forgiveness, and makes us definitively children of God.” Pope Francis concluded his address with the hope that, in this Year of Mercy, we too, precisely because of the mercy God has shown us, might cooperate with God in accomplishing works of mercy.
(from Vatican Radio)…