Vatican City, 21 May 2015 (VIS) – This morning a press conference was held in the Holy See Press Office to present the second International Conference on Women (22-24 May, ex Domus Pacis, Rome) organised – like the first Conference held in 2009 – by the Pontifical Council “Justice and Peace”, in collaboration with the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO) and the World Women’s Alliance for Life and Family (WWALF). The theme of the conference will be “Women and the post-2015 development agenda – the challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. The conference will be attended by over a hundred participants – mostly women, but to a lesser extent also men – from diverse cultural and social contexts and from all five continents, and will aim to offer the most complete overview possible of the main issues that affect women throughout the world in our times.
The speakers at the conference were Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council “Justice and Peace”; Flaminia Giovanelli, under-secretary of the same dicastery; Olimpia Tarzia, president of the WWALF, and Maria Giovanni Ruggieri, president of the WUCWO.
Cardinal Turkson explained that the first day, 22 May, will begin with an analysis of female anthropology in the context of modern culture, which will also seek to shed light on recent and increasingly incisive semantic changes in terms of reference. The second panel will focus on the theme of education and the role of women in this field, as well as “the alliance between men and women and their mutual respect … in order to combat violence and abuse of power”. The cardinal emphasised that “education is an essential resource for ensuring the right to life, which is still denied in some parts of the planet where the birth of a female child is seen as a misfortune, since the sole destiny of a woman is an arranged marriage for which the family is required to provide a dowry”.
Another theme is interreligious dialogue as a path towards lasting peace, and the role of women in this context. “The many episodes in recent times in which women and girls have been victims of unspeakable atrocities involving sexual violence, also and above all due to their Christian faith, are an important challenge to us. Such episodes demand that we intensify interreligious dialogue and appeal to our shared human nature, that transcends all religions and cultures, to forcefully condemn such atrocities in order to protect those under threat”.
The second International Conference on Women will also offer the opportunity to discuss the many old and new forms of slavery and violence that affect women in various ways in different parts of the world. While in the western world domestic violence prevails and there is an increasing incidence of episodes of so-called “femicide”, in other poorer areas of developing countries the infanticide of female children and selective abortion of female foetuses are widespread practices. Inspired by Pope Francis’ Message for Peace, the theme of which this year is “Slaves no more, but brothers and sisters”, the Conference will denounce the phenomenon of human trafficking which the Pontiff has on numerous occasions described as a crime against humanity whose victims are, for the most part, girls and women.
“While in many countries there has certainly been significant progress in favour of women, especially in the fields of education, political representation and economic participation, much still remains to be done”, observed the president of Justice and Peace, noting that it is true that poverty continues to affect women disproportionately, and many women “have no protection in many fields, including domestic, manufacturing and agricultural work”.
However, the Conference does not intend merely to provide an overview of the most urgent matters linked to the conditions of women, or to be simply an opportunity to denounce the violations of the dignity of women and their rights. It will also endeavour to offer a contribution that may be useful within the framework of current negotiations for the new agenda for post-2015 developments. Therefore, on the second day of the meeting, on Saturday 23 May, working groups will focus on the main thematic areas of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “The question of women is transversal and crucial in the majority of the current proposals of the SDGs: women play a key role in the reduction of poverty, hunger throughout the world, and education, and are also the guardians of life in all its phases”….
“It
is time for fathers and mothers to return from their exile – for they have
exiled themselves from bringing up their children – and to fully resume their
educational role”. This was the Pope’s declaration at the General Audience on
Wednesday morning, 20 May. Continuing his series of catecheses on the family,
he spoke to the crowds – many of them families – about the importance of
parents as educators. The following is an English translation of the Pope’s
catechesis which was delivered in Italian. Today, dear brothers and
sisters, I would like to welcome you because I saw among you many families,
Good morning to all the families! Let us continue to reflect on the family.
Today we will pause to reflect an
essential characteristic of the family, the natural vocation to educate children
so they may grow up to to be responsible for themselves and for others. What we
heard from the Apostle Paul, at the start, is very beautiful: “Children, obey
your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke
your children, lest they become discouraged” (Col 3:20-21). This is a wise
rule: children should be raised to listen to their parents and obey their
parents, who, in turn, should not order
them around in a negative way, so as not to discourage the children. Children,
indeed, must grow without becoming discouraged, step by step. If you parents
say to your children: “Let’s climb this
ladder” and you take them by the hand and step by step help them climb, things
will go well. But if you say: “Go up!” –
“But I can’t” – “Go!”, this is called provoking your children, asking them to
do things they don’t have the ability to do. That is why the relationship
between parents and children must be one of wisdom, of a great balance.
Children, obey your parents, this pleases God. And you parents, don’t provoke
your children by asking of them things they can’t do. And this needs to be done
so that children can grow up to be responsible for themselves and for others. It would seem like an obvious statement, there are difficulties still in our times. It
is hard to educate when parents only see their children in the evening, when
they come home tired from work. Well, those who are fortunate enough to work!
It is even more difficult for parents who are separated, who are weighed down
by their condition: the poor dears, they have had real hardships, they have
separated and frequently the child is taken hostage and the father speaks ill
of the mother and the mother speaks ill of the father, and so much harm is
done. But I say to separated parents: never, never, never take your child
hostage! You separated because of many
difficulties and reasons, life has given you this trial, but the children
should not be the ones to carry the weight of this separation, they should not
be used as hostages against the other spouse, they should grow up hearing their
mother speak well of their father, even though they are not together, and the
father speak well of their mother. For
separated parents this is very important and very difficult, but they can do
it. Above all, the question is: how should we educate?
What tradition do we have today to pass on to our children? Intellectual “critics” of every kind have silenced
parents in countless ways, in order to
protect the younger generations from the damage – real or presumed – of family education. The family stands
accused, among other things, of being authoritarian, of favoritism, of
conformism, of the emotional repression that generates conflict. In fact, a rift has opened up between the family and society,
between the family and school, the educational pact today has been broken; and thus, the educational alliance between
society and the family is in crisis because mutual trust has been undermined.
There are many symptoms. For example, at
school relationships between parents and
teachers have been compromised. At times there is tension and mutual distrust;
and naturally, the consequences fall on the children. On the other hand, the
number of so-called “experts” has multiplied, and they have assumed the role of
parents in even the most intimate aspects of education. With regard to
emotional life, personality and development, rights and duties, these “experts”
know everything: objectives, motivations, techniques. And parents must simply
listen, learn and adapt. Deprived of their role, they often become overly
apprehensive and possessive of their children, to the point of never correcting
them: “You cannot correct the child”.
They tend to entrust them more and more to the “experts”, even in the
most delicate and personal aspects of their lives, putting themselves alone in
a corner; and thus parents today run the risk of excluding themselves from the
lives of their children. And this is very grave! Today there are cases like
this. I am not saying that it always happens, but there are cases. The teacher
will admonish the child at school and send a note to the parents. I remember a
personal anecdote. Once, when I was in the fourth grade, I said a bad word to
the teacher and the teacher, being a good woman, called my mom. She came the
next day, they spoke together, and then I was called. And my mother explained
to me in front of the teacher that what I had done was bad, that I shouldn’t
have done it; but my mother did it with such sweetness and she asked me to
apologize to the teacher in front of her. I did it and then I was glad that I
did: the story had a happy ending. But that was only the first chapter! When I
got home, the second chapter began… Imagine today if a teacher were to do
something of the kind, the next day the parents or one of the two will seek to
admonish her, because the “experts” say that children should not be reproached
like this. Things have changed! That is why parents should not exclude
themselves from the education of their children. It is clear that this approach is not good: it is not
harmony, it is not dialogue, and rather than fostering cooperation between the
family and other educational agencies, schools, gymnasiums… it counteracts
it. How did we get to this point? There is no doubt that parents
or, better yet, certain past educational models had their limitations, there is
no doubt. But it is also true that there
are mistakes that only parents are allowed to make, because they can compensate
for them in a way that is impossible for anyone else. On the other hand, as we
well know, life has become stingy with the time for talking, reflecting and
facing oneself. Many parents are “sequestered” by work – mom and dad have to
work – and by worries, uncomfortable with the new needs of their children and
with the complexity of modern life – which is the way it is and we must accept
it as it is – and they find themselves as if paralyzed by the fear of making a
mistake. The problem, however, is not just talking. Superficial “dialogue” does not lead to a
true meeting of mind and heart. We ask instead: do we seek to understand
“where” our children really are in their journey? Where is their soul, do we
really know? And above all: do we want to know? Are we convinced that they, in
reality, aren’t waiting for something else? Christian communities are called to offer support to the
educational mission of families, and they do this first of all with the light
of the Word of God. The Apostle Paul recalls the reciprocity of duties between
parents and children: “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this
pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become
discouraged” (Col 3:20-21). At the foundation of everything is love, that which
God gives us, which
“is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not
irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but … bears all things,
believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1Cor
13,5-7). Even the best families need
support, and it takes a lot of patience to support one another! But such is
life. Life is not lived in a laboratory, but in reality. Jesus himself
experienced family upbringing. Also in this case, the grace of the love
of Christ leads to the fulfillment of what is inscribed in human nature. How
many astounding examples we have of Christian parents filled with human wisdom!
They show that a good family upbringing is the backbone of humanity. Its
radiance in society is the source that allows us to fill in the gaps,
wounds and voids in parenthood that affect less fortunate children. This
radiance can work real miracles. And in
the Church these miracles happen every day! I hope that the Lord bestows on
Christian families the faith, freedom and courage necessary for their mission.
If family education rediscovers the pride of its leadership, many things will
change for the better, for uncertain parents and for disappointed children. It
is time for fathers and mothers to return from their exile – for they have
exiled themselves from bringing up their children – and to fully resume their
educational role. We hope that the Lord gives this grace to parents: not be to
exile themselves from the education of their children. And this can only be
done with love, tenderness and patience. Day of prayer
for the Church in China (24 May 2015) On the
24 May, the Catholics in China will implore with devotion Our Lady Help of
Christians, venerated in the Shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai. In the statue,
which towers above the Shrine, we see Mary who holds her Son high, presenting
him to the world with arms opened wide in a gesture of love and mercy. We too
will ask Mary to help Catholics in China to be always credible witnesses of
this merciful love among their fellow citizens and to live spiritually united
to the rock of Peter upon whom the Church is built. The Italian Bishop’s
Conference has proposed through out the dioceses, on the occasion of the eve of
Pentecost, remembrance of our many brothers and sisters who have been exiled or
killed for the sole fact that they are Christian. They are martyrs. I hope that
this moment of prayer increases awareness that religious freedom is an
inalienable human right, and increases sensitivity for the drama of persecuted
Christians in our time and that there be an end to this unacceptable crime. I
greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s
Audience, including those from Great Britain, Finland, Norway, South Africa,
China, India, Korea, Canada and the United States of America. In a special way,
I great these young musicians, you played well! Upon all of you, and your
families, I invoke an abundance of joy and peace in the Lord Jesus. God bless you all!…
Rome’s Pontifical University of the Holy Cross – the Santa Croce – was the scene this week for a major international conference titled: “The new climate economy, exploring how economic growth and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.” Under the joint sponsorship of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Holy See, with the cooperation of the World Resources Institute and the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, participants explored how a sound understanding of the human person and informed moral imagination can help to develop and take economic advantage of green industry opportunities – to be better stewards of creation and make a profit.
Cardinal Parolin, the Secretary of State for the Holy See, addressed the conference and highlighted the conference’s purpose, to “explore the compatibility between economic growth and sustainability.”
The Cardinal opened his speech by quoting a section from the Encylical Letter of Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in veritate , “the human consequences of current tendencies towards a short-term economy — sometimes very short-term — need to be carefully evaluated.” Cardinal Parolin then drew attention to “the serious ethical and moral responsibility that each of us has towards the whole human family, especially the poor and future generations.”
Cardinal Parolin then referenced the Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium and said, “When the future of the planet is at stake, there are no political frontiers, barriers or walls behind which we can hide to protect ourselves from the effects of environmental and social degradation.”
The full text of Cardinal Parolin’s speech can be found below.
To the participants of the Conference on “The New Climate Economy. How Economic Growth and Sustainability Can Go Hand in Hand”.
Rome , May 20, 2015
I have the honour to send warm greetings to all participating in today’s Conference on “The New Climate Economy. How Economic Growth and Sustainability Can Go Hand in Hand” .
I would like to start my brief reflection by recalling the following passage of the Encyclical Letter Caritas in veritate of Pope Benedict XVI: “the human consequences of current tendencies towards a short-term economy — sometimes very short-term — need to be carefully evaluated. This requires further and deeper reflection on the meaning of the economy and its goals , as well as a profound and far-sighted revision of the current model of development, so as to correct its dysfunctions and deviations. This is demanded, in any case, by the earth’s state of ecological health; above all it is required by the cultural and moral crisis of man, the symptoms of which have been evident for some time all over the world” (n. 32).
These words can be a significant source of inspiration for this Conference, which seeks to explore the compatibility between economic growth and sustainability as well as developing the so-called “win-win opportunities” that would help achieve these two important goals for the benefit of present and future generations.
Many studies, such as that made by the New Climate Economy Report, show various possibilities for enhancing the complementarities between these two objectives.
The Conference is timely given that two important preparatory processes of the United Nations system are underway: the UN Summit to adopt the post-2015 development agenda and the UNFCCC COP-21 in Paris, next December, to adopt a new agreement on facing the adverse effects of climate change. Both of them represent the serious ethical and moral responsibility that each of us has towards the whole human family, especially the poor and future generations.
In his Message to COP-20 in Lima, Pope Francis underlined clearly the “gravity of neglect and inaction. The time to find global solutions is running out. We can find appropriate solutions only if we act together and in agreement. There is therefore a clear, definitive and urgent ethical imperative to act. An effective fight against global warming will be possible only through a responsible collective action, which overcomes particular interests and behaviours and develops unfettered by political and economic pressures. A collective response which is also capable of overcoming mistrust and of fostering a culture of solidarity, of encounter and of dialogue; capable of demonstrating responsibility to protect the planet and the human family.”
When the future of the planet is at stake, there are no political frontiers, barriers or walls behind which we can hide to protect ourselves from the effects of environmental and social degradation. There is no room for the globalization of indifference, the economy of exclusion or the throwaway culture so often denounced by Pope Francis (cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium , 52, 53, 59).
Of course, the path is not easy, since this ethical and moral responsibility calls into question the resetting of the development model, requiring a major political and economic commitment. However, as I said to the UN Climate Summit on 23 September 2014, “the technological and operational bases needed to facilitate this mutual responsibility are already available or within our reach. We have the capacity to start and strengthen a true and beneficial process which will irrigate, as it were, through adaptation and mitigation activities, the field of economic and technological innovation where it is possible to cultivate two interconnected objectives: combating poverty and easing the effects of climate change.”
It is my earnest hope, and I am sure that it is possible, that this Conference can make a strong contribution in this direction, taking into account that “the dignity of each human person and the pursuit of the common good are concerns which ought to shape all economic policies” (Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium , n. 203).
With sentiments of esteem and respect, may I convey to you the prayerful best wishes of His Holiness Pope Francis and his hope that the discussions and reflections of this Conference may contribute to further and deepen reflection on the meaning of the economy and its goals , as well as to finding ways to guarantee access to a truly integral human development for all, especially the poor and the future generations.
Pietro Card. Parolin
Secretary of State
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The many Christians who are being persecuted in our times “are martyrs” Pope Francis said on Wednesday, at the end of his General Audience.
The Holy Father praised an initiative of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) to make a special remembrance, on the Vigil of Pentecost, of the many “brothers and sisters” who have been exiled or killed for no other reason than being Christian. He expressed his hope that the moment of prayer for the new Christian martyrs would increase the recognition that “religious liberty is an inalienable human right.”
Pope Francis also said he hoped Saturday’s time of prayer and remembrance would “increase sensitivity to the plight of Christians persecuted in our day” and help “put an end to this unacceptable crime.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) In his catechesis at the General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis focused on the role of parents in the education of their children, which he called “an essential characteristic” of the family.
The Holy Father noted the many difficulties facing parents today, especially those who find themselves in difficult situations. He spoke especially about the difficulties of separated couples, calling on them to “never, never, never take the children hostage!”
He spoke out strongly against “intellectual critics” who have “silenced” parents in order to defend younger generations from real or imagined harmed. This has opened up a fracture between families and societies, leading to a crisis in the relationship between families and society. So-called experts have often taken the place of parents, depriving them of their proper place in the education of their own children, “even in the most delicate and personal aspects of their lives.” Parents often are afraid to correct their children, leaving it instead to experts. Pope Francis recalled an episode from his own life, when he had said a bad word to his teacher, and his mother had come to the school to make him apologize to the teacher – and then corrected him when he got home. This wouldn’t happen today, where too often a teacher who tried to discipline a child would be criticized by the child’s parents.
The rupture between parents and other educators can lead parents to exclude themselves from the education of their children. “It is evident that this approach is not good,” the Pope said. “It is not harmonious, it is not dialogical, and rather than favouring the collaboration between families and other educational agents, it opposes them to one another.”
Christian communities, on the other hand, “are called to offer support for the educational mission of families – and they do so above all with the light of the Word of God.” Pope Francis noted how the relations between parents and children, described by St Paul, are rooted in love, which is the gift of God. “Even in the best families there is need of support, and great patience,” he said.
Pope Francis said that the grace of Christ brings to completion what is written in human nature. The many examples of the wisdom of Christian parents show that good family education is the backbone of a healthy society. He prayed, “May the Lord grant to Christian families the faith, the liberty, and the courage necessary for their mission!”
Below, please find the English-language summary of the Pope’s catechesis during the weekly General Audience:
Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our catechesis on the family, today we consider the vocation of families to educate their children, to raise them in the profound human values which are the backbone of a healthy society. This educational mission, essential as it is, nowadays encounters a variety of difficulties. Parents spend less time with their children and schools are often more influential than families in shaping the thinking and values of the young. Yet the relationship between family and school ought to be harmonious. Our children need sure guidance in the process of growing in responsibility for themselves and others. Christian communities are called to support the educational mission of families. They do this above all by living in fidelity to God’s world, cultivating faith, love and patience. Jesus himself was raised in a family; when he tells us that all who hear the word of God and obey are his brothers and sisters, he reminds us that for all their failings, our families can count on his inspiration and grace in the difficult but rewarding vocation of educating their children.
(from Vatican Radio)…