(Vatican Radio) It’s been 25 years since Pope St. John Paul II’s watershed encyclical on politics, economics, and society and to celebrate the occasion the Centesimus annus – pro Pontifice Foundation has organized a major international conference to mark this anniversary.
The theme for this event, which brings together leaders in commerce, industry, charity, relief, reconciliation, and peacebuilding, is “Business Initiative in the Fight Against Poverty: The Refugee Emergency, our Challenge”, and it was on these themes of poverty and migration that Pope Francis took his cue when he addressed conference participants on Friday in the Vatican.
Listen to Lydia O’Kane’s report
The Holy Father described to those gathered what he witnessed on his recent visit to the Greek island of Lesbos when he saw for himself the full scale of the refugee crisis.
The Pope recalled, “heartrending scenes of human suffering, especially on the part of families and children” and he told the group he was “grateful for their readiness to bring their expertise and experience to the discussion of these critical humanitarian issues…”
Looking at the issues of poverty and migration from a global perspective, Pope Francis underlined that the international community was being challenged to devise long-term political, social and economic responses to issues such as these “that transcend national and continental boundaries, and affect the entire human family.”
“The fight against poverty”, the Pope stressed, “was not merely a technical economic problem, but above all a moral one, calling for global solidarity and the development of more equitable approaches to the concrete needs and aspirations of individuals and peoples worldwide.”
An economy of exclusion and inequality has led to greater numbers of disenfranchised reiterated the Pope, as he pinpointed to the numbers of young people unable to find work, which he called a scandal. He also noted how in more developed societies the growth of relative poverty and social decay represented a serious threat to families.
Concluding his address the Holy Father said it was his hope that this Conference would contribute to generating new models of economic progress more clearly directed to the universal common good.
The 2016 Centesimus annus – pro Pontifice Foundation international conference runs from the 12 th to 14 th May.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) W ith the reform of the Vatican IOR making a landmark on Thursday, one possible way of putting into practice Pope Francis’ challenges to the ‘globalization of indifference’ in our global economy could be investment in funds for local infrastructure projects.
The Vatican IOR on Thursday released its Annual Report on 2015 , saying it’s now ” impossible to launder money ” through them.
Fr. Seamus Finn of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate is the Board Chairman of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility , which comprises nearly 300 organizations and collectively represents over $100 billion in invested capital.
Nearly a year on from the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, Devin Watkins spoke to Oblate Fr. Seamus Finn about how the Holy Father’s challenges to the global economy have been put into practice.
Listen to the full interview:
Laudato Si’ in practice
Fr. Finn said that several religious organizations have made efforts to put into practice Pope Francis’ challenges to our global economy, or the ‘globalization of indifference’ as the Pope calls it.
“I think we’re at the stage now of trying to practically apply the challenges the Holy Father has put out there about the economic system that we have. So, very simply, how do we really respond to the ‘globalization of indifference’ that he seems to feel is one of the consequences of the affluence of the first world and the domination of first world in term of the economic system.”
As Chair of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, Fr. Finn assists corporations and religious institutions in investing and operating in a faith-conscious manner. He said there are several projects which aim at putting Pope Francis’ teachings into practice.
“We have spent a lot of time looking at some of the private equity initiatives that are out there… Some individuals and groups of individuals have come forward and constructed funds that are specifically targeted at addressing the issues related to energy, agriculture, housing, telecommunications, financial services. And they feel they’ve come up with ways in which they can creatively do that in a way that’s profitable for investors and that serves populations that are now underserved or that governments are not able to [serve].”
“An example of one of those funds is an energy fund in the Caribbean. These folks have been diligently looking at, can we take solar energy and wind energy and develop it at a scale in which the local governments – who have been unable to deliver enough energy these local populations – can invest.”
Vatican IOR reform possibilities
Fr. Finn commented on the reform process taking place within the Vatican IOR and APSA, saying “I think they’ve made great progress in the reforms that have been put in place. I think they’ve responded well to the challenges of the European Union in terms of trying to fit more accurately and transparently into the larger community.”
He said, “I’m hopeful they will begin now to look at some of these projects and say, ‘we’re not as rich as people think we are but we could profitably and responsibly advise our clients or invest some of our capital in some of these funds and do it in a way that we might then hold up [as examples of ways in which] we are responding to the challenges the Holy Father has put out there for all of us. I think it would do wonders for their reputation and their image.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, called for world leaders to “strike terrorism at its very roots and where it must primarily be fought: namely, in the hearts and minds of men and women,” especially the youth, who are at risk of radicalization and recruitment by terrorist groups.
In his statement made on Wednesday to the UN Security Council Open Debate on Countering the Narratives and Ideologies of Terrorism, the Archbishop stated that while countering the “narratives and ideologies” of terrorist organizations is the responsibility of all, religious authorities have a particular responsibility to do so.
“The fight to unmask the lies behind the narratives and ideologies of present-day terrorist groups” the Archbishop stated, calls for “all religions to unite in confronting not only the unacceptable misuse of religion by these groups, but also all forms of religious bigotry, stereotyping and disrespect for what people hold sacred.”
The Archbishop continued by stating that education was the most important tool in combating this ideology. “Much of the recruiting success of terror groups” he said, “is based on misinformation and the distortion of both history and the meaning of sacred texts. Objective education would counter these false narratives.”
While reemphasizing his earlier statements on the importance of religious leaders to engage in combating radicalization, Archbishop Auza also acknowledged that insofar as much of the radicalization occurs in poor immigrant communities that have not fully integrated with the rest of society, government officials should “engage with civil society to address the problems of communities most at risk of radicalization and recruitment and to achieve the satisfactory social integration of those communities. ” In addition, terrorist’s “access to cyber space must be denied” in order to prevent their narratives and ideologies from “poisoning the hearts and minds of millions of people.”
“The Holy See is convinced” the Archbishop stated in his concluding remarks, “that if we are to win the minds and hearts of our children and young people and prevent their joining terrorist groups, we must build inclusive societies and prevent illicit arms trafficking, build bridges rather than walls, and engage in dialogue rather than in mutual isolation.”
The full text of his statement is below:
Statement of H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, at the Security Council Open Debate on Countering the Narratives and Ideologies of Terrorism, delivered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, 11 May 2016.
11 May 2016
Mr. President,
The Holy See sincerely thanks the Presidency of Egypt for bringing the topic of countering the narratives and ideologies of terrorism to the attention of the Security Council and of the International Community.
The theme of this Open Debate is extremely important, because it calls us to strike terrorism at its very roots and where it must primarily be fought: namely, in the hearts and minds of men and women, in particular of those who are most at risk of radicalization and recruitment by terrorist groups.
The narratives and ideologies of present-day terrorist groups are well known. They do not attempt to conceal their purportedly religiously inspired beliefs, values and principles. Terrorist groups identify multiple “enemies”, so that those who respond to their propaganda can “legitimately” attack these “enemies” wherever they may be, whether in Paris or in Brussels, in Istanbul, in Aleppo, or elsewhere.
Countering the narratives and ideologies of terrorist groups is a grave responsibility of all. It should be recalled, however, that by building their ideological narratives, which justify their horrendous acts of violence, upon tendentious interpretations and an abusive use of sacred texts, terrorists groups are throwing down the gauntlet principally to religious leaders and to the authoritative interpreters of these same texts. Religious authorities, therefore, have a particular responsibility to refute the falsehoods and condemn the blasphemy of terrorist narratives and ideologies. Religious leaders and people of faith must be at the forefront in delegitimizing the manipulation of faith and the distortion of sacred texts as a justification for violence. Anyone who considers himself or herself a believer while planning and carrying out actions against the fundamental rights and dignity of every man and woman, must be condemned.
The fight to unmask the lies behind the narratives and ideologies of present-day terrorist groups summons all religions to unite in confronting not only the unacceptable misuse of religion by these groups, but also all forms of religious bigotry, stereotyping and disrespect for what people hold sacred. Religious leaders must be the first to demonstrate what the Fourth Meeting of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies of Amman, in the Vatican last May 7th, called “the humanizing and civilizing role of our religions.”
This brings us to the fundamental importance of education in countering narratives and ideologies of terrorism. Much of the recruiting success of terror groups is based on misinformation and the distortion of both history and the meaning of sacred texts. Objective education would counter these false narratives. The Marrakesh Declaration is to be commended for urging “Muslim educational institutions and authorities to conduct a courageous review of educational curricula that addresses honestly and effectively any material that instigates aggression and extremism, leads to war and chaos, and results in the destruction of our shared societies.”
My Delegation believes that the more religion is manipulated to justify acts of terror and violence, the more religious leaders must be engaged in the overall effort to defeat the terrorism that hijacks it. Spurious religious fervor must be countered by authentic religious instruction and by the example of authentic communities of faith. There is a strong nexus between religion and diplomacy, between faith-based “informal diplomacy” and the formal diplomacy of States. Strengthening this nexus would be wise diplomacy, given its enormous potential in confronting terrorism at its very roots.
Measures to counter the narratives and ideologies of terrorism must address the root causes upon which terrorism feeds, which make even the most outrageous claims of the terrorist groups sound credible. Young people who join the ranks of terrorist organizations often come from poor immigrant families, disillusioned by the lack of integration and values in certain societies. Those who feel excluded from, or live at the fringes of, society are immediately attracted to terrorists proclaiming themselves as “freedom fighters.” Governments should engage with civil society to address the problems of communities most at risk of radicalization and recruitment and to achieve the satisfactory social integration of those communities. Certain terrorist groups have excelled in the art of cyber recruitment, giving them transnational and borderless reach. Their access to cyber space must be denied to prevent their narratives and ideologies from poisoning the hearts and minds of millions of people everywhere, to cut off their financing activities and to disrupt the coordination of terrorist attacks.
Mr. President, The Holy See is convinced that if we are to win the minds and hearts of our children and young people and prevent their joining terrorist groups, we must build inclusive societies and prevent illicit arms trafficking, build bridges rather than walls, and engage in dialogue rather than in mutual isolation. Thank you, Mr. President.
(from Vatican Radio)…
Click to download Bulletin for May 22, 2015
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis led an in-depth discussion on Thursday about the role of women in the Church, saying he wants to set up a commission to study the possibility of reinstating female deacons. His conversation was part of a question and answer session with some 900 heads of female religious orders and congregations who form part of the International Union of Superiors General, or UISG.
Philippa Hitchen reports:
Pope Francis spoke off the cuff during his closed door encounter with the sisters, who are currently holding their General Assembly in Rome this week, marking the 50th anniversary of the foundation of their organisation.
During the hour and a half long conversation about the mission and ministry of women in religious life, the Pope responded to several delicate questions, including one about the history of female deacons. He said understanding about their role in the early Church remained unclear and agreed it would be useful to set up a commission to study the question.
Women deacons in the early Church
Up to the 5th century, the Diaconate flourished in the western Church, but in the following centuries it experienced a slow decline, surviving only as an intermediate stage for candidates preparing for priestly ordination. Following the Second Vatican Council, the Church restored the role of permanent deacon, which is open to single and married men. Many experts believe that women should also be able to serve in this role, since there is ample evidence of female deacons in the first centuries, including one named Phoebe who is cited by St Paul in his letter to the Romans.
More women in leadership positions
Pope Francis reiterated that he wants to see an increase in the number of women in decision-making positions in the Church, saying women’s perspectives are very important for both the elaboration and the carrying out of such decisions. The integration of women into the life of the Church has been “very weak”, he said, adding that “we must go forward”.
Asked about the possibility of women preaching the homilies during Mass, the Pope said it’s important to distinguish between other types of liturgies, where the sermon can be preached by consecrated or lay women, and the Mass, where the homily is connected to the role of the priest serving “in persona Christi”.
Changes to Canon Law
Questioned about the prospect of c hanges to Canon Law which would facilitate the reform process being undertaken by many women’s congregations, the Pope said such changes could be possible, providing they were the result of a process of discernment by the competent authorities.
Service not servitude
Finally Pope Francis spoke about the vital work of the sisters who care for the poor and marginalized. He said this is a vocation of service to the Church and must never be confused with servitude, which is sometimes still asked of them. They should not fear being labelled as ‘activists’, in their service to the needy, he said, but they should also find time for rest and for listening to older or sick members of their communities who are a precious source of wisdom and memory.
(from Vatican Radio)…