(Vatican Radio) The Holy See delegation pointed out the role Catholic institutions play in post-conflict peacebuilding around the world in an address to the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday. “The Holy See, as a subject of International Law, has always been a promoter of peace between countries, actively participating in the work of the UN, while the local Catholic churches have always been a factor of reconciliation at the national level,” said Monsignor Simon Kassas, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York. “Churches, as well as many faith-based organizations and development NGOs, have always been at the vanguard of pacification and reconstruction of regions and countries struck by wars and conflicts,” the Vatican diplomat continued. The delegation from Venezuela had sponsored an Open Debate in the UN Security Council on Post-conflict Peacebuilding: Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture . “The actions of the Holy See, and of Catholic institutions worldwide, are fully consistent with the pleas of this Chamber, and other United Nations fora, to limit the use of arms and implement strategies of dialogue and negotiation to bridge the way to peaceful co-existence, in diversity, and to use the world’s industrial might and technological prowess to bring about the peacebuilding aspirations of all,” Msgr. Kassas said. The full text of Msgr. Kassas’ remarks are below Intervention of Monsignor Simon Kassas Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations during the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Post-conflict Peacebuilding: Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture New York, 23 February 2016 Mr, President, My delegation wishes to thank the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for convening this Open Debate on “Post-Conflict Peacebuilding: Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture.” Eleven years ago, drawing on the experience of the first 50 years of the United Nations, the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change identified “a key institutional gap: there was no place in the United Nations system explicitly designed to avoid State collapse and the slide to war or to assist countries in their transition from war to peace” (Report, paragraph 261). Consequently, following the 2005 World Summit Outcome document, the General Assembly and the Security Council created the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), as a subsidiary body of both UN organs. Afterwards the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) was put in place and a Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) was also created. The PBC and the PBSO should be praised for the work accomplished in many countries [-Burundi, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and the Central African Republic-], while the PBF deserves a generous and constant financial support from the UN members. However, the conclusions of the Secretary General’s Advisory Group on the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture show the complexity and difficulty of peacebuilding efforts. The ability of the PBC to engage with the host government, as well as civil society and the most important stakeholders on the ground, in the conduct and implementation of coordinated actions remains crucial. In addition, there are several factors largely dependent on the Security Council’s, and other UN bodies’, substantive and coordinated engagement on each situation. Furthermore, the ultimate success of peacebuilding relies on the attention given to the PBC by the whole International Community. Appropriately, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development address the special need of financial, trade and development assistance for countries in post-conflict situation. Goal 16 of the same 2030 Agenda is devoted to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, and all its targets are relevant for situations of post-conflict. However, in his address to the 70 Th session of the General Assembly, Pope Francis that “…solemn commitments… are not enough, even though they are a necessary step toward solutions. …Our world demands of all government leaders a will which is effective, practical and constant, concrete steps and immediate measures…” not forgetting “that, above and beyond our plans and programs, we are dealing with real men and women who live, struggle and suffer, and are often forced to live in great poverty, deprived of all rights” (Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to United Nations Organization, 25 September 2015). The Addis Ababa Action Agenda recognizes “the importance for achieving sustainable development of delivering quality education to all girls and boys” including “migrant and refugee children, and those in conflict and post-conflict situations, and providing safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all” (N. 78). The same Agenda stresses that “Capacity development will be integral to achieving the post-2015 development agenda”. It calls “for enhanced international support and establishment of multi-stakeholder partnerships for implementing effective and targeted capacity building”, especially “in countries in conflict and post-conflict situations” (N. 115). In his speech to the General Assembly Pope Francis noted that integral human development “presupposes and requires the right to education – also for girls (excluded in certain places) – which is ensured first and foremost by respecting and reinforcing the primary right of families to educate their children, as well as the right of churches and social groups to support and assist families in the education of their children. Education conceived in this way is the basis for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda”. Mr. President, The Holy See, as a subject of International Law, has always been a promoter of peace between countries, actively participating in the work of the UN, while the local Catholic churches have always been a factor of reconciliation at the national level. Churches, as well as many faith-based organizations and development NGOs, have always been at the vanguard of pacification and reconstruction of regions and countries struck by wars and conflicts. Moreover, the almost 100,000 elementary and secondary schools as well as colleges and universities throughout the world, that are run by Catholic organizations, are an essential contribution to building and maintaining peace. The Catholic healthcare network encompasses more than 25,000 hospitals, dispensaries, clinics, homes for the elderly, the chronically ill or disabled, orphanages and childcare centers. All are a part of maintaining locally stable and secure environments essential for the comprehensive approach to peacebuilding as recommended in the 2015 Review of the United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture. The actions of the Holy See, and of Catholic institutions worldwide, are fully consistent with the pleas of this Chamber, and other United Nations fora, to limit the use of arms and implement strategies of dialogue and negotiation to bridge the way to peaceful co-existence, in diversity, and to use the world’s industrial might and technological prowess to bring about the peacebuilding aspirations of all. Mr. President, In his recent visit to Mexico, Pope Francis addressed the civil authorities and diplomatic corps (13 February 2016) and discussed the building blocks of peace. He said: “Leaders of social, cultural and political life have the particular duty to offer all citizens the opportunity to be worthy contributors of their own future, within their families and in all areas were human social interaction takes place. In this way, they help citizens to have real access to the material and spiritual goods, which are indispensable: adequate housing, dignified employment, food, true justice, effective security, a healthy and peaceful environment.” It seems to my delegation that these words of Pope Francis are of the very essence of the architecture of peacebuilding, which we are discussing here today. Thank you, Mr. President. (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said on Tuesday it was “essential” that Italian legislation not equate civil unions with marriage.
The so-called Cirinnà bill would give legal recognition to same-sex civil unions, as well as granting the members of such unions limited rights to adopt children. Debate on the proposed legislation is taking place in Italy’s Senate this week.
The Vatican diplomat was speaking after the annual reception with Italian government officials to mark the anniversary of the Lateran Pacts, the 1929 treaty between Italy and the Holy See which settled the longstanding disputes arising over the nineteenth century Italian takeover of the Papal States, and also established the Vatican City State.
The meeting took place at the Italian Embassy to the Holy See, and both the Italian President Sergio Mattarella and the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi attended the event.
“The [Cirinnà] bill came up, but did not enter into our discussions. I think everyone’s position is clear, although it is not clear what will be happening in the coming days,” the Cardinal said.
“However, at the same time we must other backdoors, quite apart from the direct reference to stepchild adoption, which could be derived from equating civil unions with marriage,” continued Cardinal Parolin.
He added it was “essential” to respect the ruling of the Constitutional Court that any legislation not equate civil unions to marriage.
Cardinal Parolin called the meeting “good” and said the parties spoke about other bilateral issues, including the recently concluded agreement on fiscal matters, collaboration during the Jubilee year, and the “great themes” of education and the family.
“It was positive…there is a desire for collaboration, and a willingness to overcome any difficulties which might arise,” he said.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held a General Audience on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Square. In remarks to pilgrims and tourists gathered for the occasion, the Holy Father continued his series of catecheses on Divine Mercy, focusing specifically on the proper disposition expected by Christian faith toward the goods of the world. Below, please find the English-language summary of Pope Francis’ catechesis, which was delivered in Italian
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Dear Brothers and Sisters: Continuing our weekly catecheses inspired by this Holy Year of Divine Mercy, we now consider the Bible’s teaching on the right use of wealth and power. The Scriptures show that these serve the common good if used in accordance with the demands of justice, charity and mercy. Used selfishly and arrogantly, they become a source of corruption and death, as we see in the story of Naboth, unjustly put to death so that King Ahab might take possession of his property. Jesus tells us that we show our greatness not by domineering but by humbly serving one another. Just as the Lord sent the prophet Elijah to call Ahab to repentance, he sent his Son to show the power of his mercy which triumphs over sin and injustice. Jesus is the true King, whose saving power is shown in the cross. During this Holy Year let us ask him to draw near to sinners, to show us his mercy, and to redeem the many situations of injustice in our world by the power of his grace and forgiveness.
Following the summary, the Holy Father greeted English-speaking pilgrims and visitors
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those from England, Scotland, Ireland, Sweden, Gabon, Mozambique and the United States of America. With prayerful good wishes that the present Jubilee of Mercy will be a moment of grace and spiritual renewal for you and your families, I invoke upon all of you joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you all!
(from Vatican Radio)…
Vatican City, 23 February 2016 (VIS) – An international conference entitled “Love will never end. Prospects ten years on from the Encyclical Deus caritas est” will be held on Thursday 25 February in the Vatican’s New Synod Hall. Organised by the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”, the conference forms part of the programme of events for the Jubilee of Mercy and has the aim of examining in depth the theological and pastoral implications of Pope Benedict XVI’s first Encyclical for today’s world, especially in relation to the activity of those who work in the Church’s charitable service. The event will be attended by, among others, representatives of the episcopal conferences and Catholic charitable organisations from all over the world. The conference will begin with greetings from Msgr. Giampietro Dal Toso, secretary of the “Cor Unum”, followed by an intervention from Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, entitled “The Encyclical Deus caritas est: a theological reading”. The subsequent speakers will be Michel Thio, president of the International Confederation of St. Vincent de Paul, Marina Almeida Costa, director of Caritas Cabo Verde, and Roy Moussali, executive director of the Syrian Society for Social Development. In the afternoon the theme of the meaning of love for the three monotheistic religions will be considered by Rabbi David Shlomo Rosen, director of the Department of Religious Affairs of the American Jewish Committee of Jerusalem, Professor Saeed Ahmed Khan, lecturer at the Wayne State University of Detroit, U.S.A., and the philosopher Fabrice Hadjadj, director of the Institut Philanthropos of the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. The second day will begin with a presentation from Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, archbishop of Manila, Philippines and president of Caritas Internationalis, entitled “The importance of Deus caritas est for the charitable service of the Church today”, followed by interventions from Alejandro Marius, president of the Asociacion Civil Trabajo y Persona, Venezuela, and Eduardo M. Almeida, representative in Paraguay of the Inter-American Bank. At midday the participants will be received in audience by Pope Francis in the Apostolic Palace. The afternoon session will open with contributions from Rev. Professor Paolo Asolan, lecturer at the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, and Professor Rainer Gehrig, lecturer at the Catholic University of Murcia, Spain. The morning sessions will be moderated by Martina Pastorelli, president of Catholic Voices Italia, and the afternoon sessions by Professor Luca Tuninetti, lecturer at the Pontifical Urbanian University, Rome. Holy Mass will be celebrated on 25 and 26 February at 6 p.m. in the Church of Santa Maria della Pietà in Camposanto dei Teutonici (Our Lady of Mercy in the German Cemetery). On the first day Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, president emeritus of “Cor Unum”; will preside, and on the second, Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The conference will be fully broadcast by web streaming on the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” website, at www.corunumjubilaeum.va ….
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Tuesday morning described Christianity as a religion that by its very nature must act for good, not a “religion of saying” made of hypocrisy and vanity. The Holy Father was speaking at Mass in the Chapel of the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.
Click below to hear our report
Following the readings of the day, Pope Francis reflected on God’s reality and the “fakeness” of so many Christians who treat the faith as though it were window dressing – devoid of obligation – or an occasion for aggrandizement rather than an opportunity for service, especially to our neediest neighbors.
The way of doing
Building on the reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah in concert with the passage proclaimed from the Gospel according to St. Matthew, the Holy Father sought to explain once again the “evangelical dialectic between saying and doing.” He placed emphasis on the words of Jesus, which unmask the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees, calling the disciples and crowds to do as they say, though not as they do:
“The Lord teaches us the way of doing: and how many times we find people – ourselves included – so often in the Church, who say, ‘Oh, we are very Catholic.’ ‘But what do you do?’ How many parents say they are Catholics, but never have time to talk to their children, to play with their children, to listen to their children. Perhaps they have their parents in a nursing home, but always are busy and cannot go and visit them and so leave them there, abandoned. ‘But I am very Catholic: I belong to that association,’ [they say]. This is the religion of saying: I say it is so, but I do according to the ways of the world.”
What God wants
The way of “saying and not doing,” says the Pope, “is a deception.” Isaiah’s words indicate what is pleasing to God: “Cease to do evil, learn to do good,” and, “relieve the oppressed, do right by the orphan, plead for the widow.” It also shows another thing: the infinite mercy of God, which says to humanity, “Come, let us talk it over: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”:
“The mercy of the Lord goes out to meet those who dare to argue with Him, but to argue about the truth, about the things one does or does not do, [and He argues] in order to correct me. This, then, is the great love of the Lord, in this dialectic between saying and doing. To be a Christian means to do: to do the will of God – and on the last day – because all of us we will have one – that day what shall the Lord ask us? Will He say: “What you have said about me?” No. He shall ask us about the things we did.”
The make-believe Christians
Pope Francis went on to make explicit mention of the lines from Matthew’s Gospel, which foretell of the Last Judgment, when God will call men to account for what they have done to the hungry, thirsty, imprisoned, strangers. “This,” said the Holy Father, “is the Christian life: mere talk leads to vanity, to that empty pretense of being Christian – but no, that way one is not a Christian at all.”:
“May the Lord give us this wisdom to understand well where lies the difference between saying and doing, and teach us the way of doing and help us to go down that way, because the way of saying brings us to the place where were these teachers of the law, these clerics, who liked dressing up and acting just like if they were so many Majesties – and this is not the reality of the Gospel. May the Lord teach us this way.”
(from Vatican Radio)…