(Vatican Radio) In response to the devastating earthquake in Nepal on Saturday 25th April, the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, following the Pope’s assurance for assistance on Sunday, has distributed $100,000 as an immediate initial aid contribution to assist the Nepalese people as they face the current crisis. At present at 4,300 people have died, while…
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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said Mass on Tuesday morning in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. Speaking to the congregation following the readings of the day, the Holy Father focused on the pilgrim journey of the Church through history under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Click below to hear our report
Reflecting on the preaching of the Gospel to all nations, narrated in the Acts of the Apostles, the Pope pointed to the need – even and especially today – for Apostolic courage, in order that Christian life not become a “museum of memories.” He noted how many at the time of the events narrated in the book of Acts were troubled to hear the gospel was preached to non-Jews, though Barnabas in Antioch – the reading tells us – is happy to see and understand that the conversions of Pagans there are the work of God.
Do not be afraid of the God of surprises
Pope Francis went on to say how the preaching of salvation to all nations was something prophesied in chapter 60 of Isaiah, though many did not understand the saying:
“They did not understand. They did not understand that God is the God of all things new: ‘I make everything new,’ Our Lord tells us – he tells us that the Holy Spirit has come for this, to renew [all things] – and continually does this work of renewal. This makes some people afraid. In the history of the Church from [Apostolic times] down to the present, how many fears there have been in the face of the Holy Spirit’s surprises. He is the God of surprises.”
Pope Francis went on to discuss the proper attitude and way of distinguishing those novelties, which are of God, from those, which are not. Using the cases of Barnabas and Peter, of whom it is said that both were full of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Father said, “In both of them it is the Holy Spirit who makes us see the truth: on our own we simply cannot; with our intelligence, we cannot.” He went on to say, “We can study the whole history of salvation, we can study the whole of Theology, but without the Spirit we cannot understand. It is the Spirit that makes us realize the truth or – in the words of Our Lord – it is the Spirit that makes us know the voice of Jesus.” Jesus, the Good Pastor, says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me.”
The Church moves forward with the newness of the Holy Spirit
“The progress of the Church,” said Pope Francis, “is the work of the Holy Spirit,” which makes us listen to the voice of the Lord. “How can I make sure that voice I hear is the voice of Jesus,” asked Pope Francis, “that what I feel I have to do is done by the Holy Spirit?” The answer is by praying:
“Without prayer, there is no place for the Spirit. Ask God to send us this gift: ‘Lord, give us the Holy Spirit so that we may discern at all times what we have to do,’ which is not always one and the same thing. The message is the same: the Church goes on, the Church goes ahead with these surprises, with these changes of the Holy Spirit. We must discern, and to discern must pray, we must ask this grace. Barnabas was full of the Holy Spirit and he knew right away. Peter saw it and said, ‘But who am I to deny Baptism here?’ The Holy Spirit does lead us into error. ‘But, Father, why make things so complicated? Let us do things the way we have always done, that way we are safer …’”
The Christian life is not a museum of memories
Pope Francis went on to urge that doing things the way we’ve always done them, simply because “that’s the way we’ve always done them,” is a deadly attitude. He encouraged the faithful, “To risk, with prayer, and then, with the humility to accept what the Spirit,” asks us to change. “This is the way,” he said:
“The Lord told us that if we eat his body and drink his blood, we will have life. Now we continue this celebration, with this word: ‘Lord, You who are here with us in the Eucharist, You, who shall be within us, give us the grace of the Holy Spirit. Give us the grace not to be afraid when the Spirit, with surety, tells me to take a step forward.’ In this Mass, ask this courage, this apostolic courage to bring life and not make of our Christian life a museum of memories.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
Vatican City, 28 April 2015 (VIS) – Following the earthquake that struck the territory of Nepal with extraordinary vehemence last weekend, the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” has undertaken to send a first contribution of 100 thousand dollars for aid to the population on behalf of the Holy Father.
This sum, which will be sent to the local Church, will be used to support aid operations for the displaced and other affected persons, and is intended as a first and immediate concrete expression of Pope Francis’ “spiritual closeness and paternal encouragement” towards those afflicted, as he assured during the Regina Coeli of Sunday 26 April. Episcopal conferences and Catholic charitable entities are already extensively involved in humanitarian works.
According to the data currently available but not yet definitive, there have been more than 4,300 victims so far and approximately 7 million affected in 34 districts of Nepal, a million homeless, and around 2 million children in need of assistance. Numerous villages are isolated and aid has not yet reached them. The government has estimated that roughly 400 thousand buildings have been destroyed….
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said Mass on Tuesday morning in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. Speaking to the congregation following the readings of the day, the Holy Father focused on the pilgrim journey of the Church through history under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Click below to hear our…
Read more
(Vatican Radio) The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met with Pope Francis in the Vatican on Tuesday before going on to address a conference exploring the moral issues connected to climate change. The one day international symposium has been organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and will include a video message to participants from Pope Francis about the Christian imperative of stewardship of creation. The UN leader said he had a “fruitful and wide ranging conversation with the Pope and he commended participants in the symposium for raising awareness of the urgent need to tackle climate change and promote sustainable development
Please see below the full text of Ban Ki-moon’s address
Your Eminence Monsignor Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo,
Your Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson,
Your Eminences,
Distinguished participants,
I thank the Pontifical Academy of Sciences for hosting this important symposium, and His Holiness Pope Francis for extending such a warm welcome.
Pope Francis and I have just had a fruitful and wide ranging conversation.
I commend His Holiness, and all faith and scientific leaders here, for raising awareness of the urgent need to promote sustainable development and address climate.
Mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects are necessary to eradicate extreme poverty, reduce inequality and secure equitable, sustainable economic development.
That is why I say climate change is the defining issue of our time.
Responding to it effectively is essential for sustainable development.
Climate change is intrinsically linked to public health, food and water security, migration, peace and security.
It is a moral issue. It is an issue of social justice, human rights and fundamental ethics.
We have a profound responsibility to the fragile web of life on this Earth, and to this generation and those that will follow.
That is why it is so important that the world’s faith groups are clear on this issue – and in harmony with science.
Science and religion are not at odds on climate change. Indeed, they are fully aligned.
Together, we must clearly communicate that the science of climate change is deep, sound and not in doubt.
Climate change is occurring – now — and human activities are the principal cause.
Your Eminences, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The facts of climate change are upheld by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the major scientific bodies of every government in the world, including the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
Our response has to be global, holistic and rooted in universal values.
Climate change affects us all, but not equally.
Those who suffer first and worst are those who did least to cause it: the poor and most vulnerable members of society.
Around the world, I have seen how floods, droughts, rising sea levels and increasingly severe storms are causing terrible harm, and prompting families to migrate, often at great peril.
As His Holiness Pope Francis has said, “We need to see, with the eyes of faith … the link between the natural environment and the dignity of the human person.”
The most vulnerable must be foremost in our thoughts this year as governments construct a global response to climate change and a new framework for sustainable development.
The new Sustainable Development Goals, which will be adopted in September, will provide a holistic approach that puts social and environmental objectives on par with economic objectives.
Eradicating extreme poverty, ending social exclusion of the weak and marginalized, and protecting the environment are values that are fully consistent with the teachings of the great religions.
Pope Francis has been one of the world’s most impassioned moral voices on these issues, and I applaud his leadership.
The United Nations, too, champions the disadvantaged and the vulnerable.
We share a belief in the inherent dignity of all individuals and the sacred duty to care for and wisely manage our natural capital.
And we believe that when people strive toward a common goal, transformational change is possible.
That is why we work in partnership with governments, the private sector, civil society and faith-based groups.
If ever there were an issue that requires unity of purpose, it is climate change.
Science tells us we are far off track from reducing global emissions sufficient to keep global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius.
We are currently on course for a rise of 4-5 degrees Celsius.
This would alter life on Earth as we know it.
This is morally indefensible.
It contradicts our responsibility to be good stewards of creation.
Your Eminences, Ladies and Gentlemen,
People everywhere are realizing we must fundamentally change our ways.
Some world leaders have called for the creation of an “ecological civilization,” others for “development without destruction”.
Many countries are moving down a low-carbon pathway and investing in clean energy that can power truly sustainable development.
To transform our economies, however, we must first transform our thinking, and our values.
In this, the world’s religions can provide valuable leadership.
As the Holy See has said, “there is a moral imperative to act, for we all bear the responsibility to protect and to value creation for the good of this and future generations”.
I very much look forward to the upcoming encyclical by Pope Francis.
It will convey to the world that protecting our environment is an urgent moral imperative and a sacred duty for all people of faith and people of conscience.
It is critically important that people and their leaders hear your strong moral voice in the coming months.
In July, leaders will gather in Addis Ababa, for the third International Conference on Finance for Development.
In September, Pope Francis will address the United Nations Special Summit on Sustainable Development.
And in Paris, in December governments will meet to forge a meaningful universal agreement on climate change.
Paris is not the end point, but it must be a turning point in finding a common way forward in meeting the climate challenge.
We need a global climate agreement that is universal, fair and ambitious.
Industrialized countries must take the first steps forward.
Reasons of equity and historical responsibility require no less.
But all countries must do more and be part of the solution, in line with what the science requires.
Citizens around the world are demanding an agreement and demanding action.
I urge you to join them.
Let the world know that there is no divide whatsoever between religion and science on the issue of climate change.
Your Eminences, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your influence is enormous.
You speak to the heart of humanity’s deepest hopes and needs.
You can remind us all that we do not exist apart from nature, but are part of a wider creation.
Together, the major faith groups have established, run, or contribute to over half of all schools world-wide.
You are also the third largest category of investors in the world.
I urge you to invest in the clean energy solutions that will benefit the poor and clear our air.
Sustainable development requires sustainable energy for all.
I also urge you to continue to reduce your carbon footprint and educate your followers to reduce thoughtless consumption.
Your Eminences, Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are the first generation that can end poverty, and the last generation that can avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Future generations will judge us harshly if we fail to uphold our moral and historical responsibilities.
This year, with the upcoming encyclical, the Sustainable Development Goals Summit in September, and a global climate agreement, we have an unprecedented opportunity to articulate –and create – a more sustainable future and a life of dignity for all.
This is a future in which we are good stewards of our common home and good neighbours to all.
I am grateful for your moral leadership, and thank you for your commitment.
Thank you.
(from Vatican Radio)…