SUMMARY:
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PACEM IN TERRIS, STILL CURRENT AFTER FIFTY YEARS
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THE COUNCIL OF CARDINALS: A NEW CONSTITUION FOR THE CURIA
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A SOLUTION FOR SYRIA: SET A PRECEDENT FOR OTHER CONFLICTS
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PACEM
IN TERRIS, STILL CURRENT AFTER FIFTY YEARS
Vatican
City, 3 October 2013 (VIS) - “Looking at our current situation, I
wonder if we have learnt the lessons of 'Pacem in terris'. I ask
myself whether the words 'justice' and 'solidarity' exist only in our
dictionary, or if we indeed all work towards making them a reality”,
said the Pope, in an address to participants in the meeting promoted
by the Pontifical Council “Justice and Peace” to commemorate
fifty years since the publication of the encyclical of the future
saint John XXIII.
“Pace
in terris” (“Peace on earth”), as Francis noted, was written in
the most critical period of the Cold War, when humanity feared
finding itself at the brink of a worldwide atomic conflict due to the
protracted confrontation between the two superpowers, the United
States and the Soviet Union. With this encyclical, John XXIII
launched a dramatic appeal for peace to world leaders. “It was a
cry to mankind, but also a plea to Heaven. The dialogue that opened,
with some difficulty, between the two great opposing blocs led them
to overcome this phase during the pontificate of the other blessed
pope, John Paul II, and to open up space for freedom and dialogue.
The seeds of peace sown by blessed John XXIII bore fruit but, despite
the fall of walls and barriers, the world continues to hunger for
peace and the appeal made in 'Pacem in terris' retains a powerful
current relevance”.
John
XXIII's encyclical confirms that the foundation for building peace
consists in “the divine origin of the human being, of society and
authority, which requires individuals, families, the various social
groups and States to live in relations based on justice and
solidarity. It is therefore the task of all men to build peace,
following Jesus Christ's example, and by two routes: the promotion
and practice of justice … and by contributing … to full human
development, according to the logic of solidarity”.
The
consequence of looking to the divine origin of the person, of society
and of authority itself is none other than “the value of the
person, the dignity of each human being, always to be promoted,
respected and protected. And as blessed John XXIII states, these are
not only the principal civil and political rights to be guaranteed;
every person should also be granted effective access to essential
means of subsistence: food, water, shelter, healthcare, education and
the possibility of forming and supporting a family. These aims should
be an absolute priority for national and international action, and
their fulfilment sets the parameters by which such action may be
judged. Lasting peace for all depends on this”.
“Certainly,
the encyclical states objectives and elements that are now form part
of our way of thinking”, stated the Pope, “but it remains to be
asked: do they correspond to reality? Fifty years on, do they find
confirmation in the development of our societies?”.
“'Pacem
in terris' does not intend to state that it is the Church's task to
give concrete directions on themes that, in their complexity, should
be left open to free discussion. On political, economic and social
matters there is not the dogma to indicate practical solutions, but
rather to favour dialogue, listening, patience, respect for others,
sincerity and also willingness to revise one's opinion. The basic aim
of John XXIII's call for peace in 1962 was to orientate international
debate according to these virtues”.
The
fundamental principles of the encyclical may be applied to a series
of new current situations, including those under analysis in these
days by the participants in the meeting organised by the Pontifical
Council “Justice and Peace”: education, the influence of mass
media communication, access to the earth's resources, the application
of the results of biological research, the arms race, and national
and international security measures. “The worldwide economic
crisis, which is a serious symptom of the lack of respect for man and
for the truth with which decisions have been made by governments and
by citizens, provides us with clear evidence. 'Pacem in terris'
traces a direct line from the peace that is to be constructed in the
heart of mankind to a rethinking of our model of development and
action at all levels, in order that our world become a world of
peace. I wonder”, concluded Francis, “if we are ready to accept
the invitation”.
At
the end of the meeting, the Pope spoke about the tragic shipwreck
this morning near the Italian island of Lampedusa. The stricken boat
was carrying over three hundred immigrants, of whom more than 90 lost
their lives and approximately 250 are still missing.
“Speaking
of peace, speaking of the inhuman worldwide economic crisis, which is
a serious symptom of the lack of respect for mankind, I cannot
neglect to mention with great suffering the many victims of yet
another tragic shipwreck today in the sea of Lampedusa. The word
shame springs to mind. Shame! Let us pray together for those who have
lost their lives – men, women, children, for their families and for
all refugees. Let us unite our strength in order that there be no
more tragedies of this type! Only decisive collaboration by all of us
can help to prevent this”.
THE
COUNCIL OF CARDINALS: A NEW CONSTITUION FOR THE CURIA
Vatican
City, 3 October 2013 (VIS) – The reform of the Curia and the
attribution of of more incisive role to the laity were among the
principal themes considered yesterday afternoon and this morning in
the meeting of the Council of Cardinals, instituted by the Pope to
assist him in the governance of the Church, said the director of the
Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., in a briefing with
journalists.
Before
commenting on the issues discussed by the cardinals, Fr. Lombardi
referred to the words of the Pope at the end of the audience with
participants in the meeting held to commemorate the fiftieth
anniversary of John XXIII's encyclical, “Pacem in terris”, in
which he recalled the victims, currently numbered at 90, of the
shipwreck this morning near the Italian island of Lampedusa. “In
the light of this new tragedy”, he said, “we understand more
clearly the value and meaning of the first trip of Francis'
pontificate”.
Moving
on to the work of the Council of Cardinals, he stated that the Pope
was present yesterday in the afternoon session, held between 4 and 7
p.m. “The Holy Father goes to pray at the Chapel at seven o'clock,
and that is the end of their collaboration, although the the
cardinals may join him together, if they see fit. This morning he was
not present as he received in audience the participants in the
meeting organised by the Pontifical Council 'Justice and Peace'”.
The
cardinals worked principally on the reform of the Curia. “The
direction of their work would not indicate an updating of the
apostolic Constitution 'Pastor Bonus', with retouches and marginal
modifications”, explained Lombardi, “but rather, a new
constitution with significant new aspects. It will be necessary to
wait a reasonable amount of time following this Council, but the idea
is this. The cardinals have made it clear that they do not intend to
make cosmetic retouches or minor modifications to 'Pastor bonus'”.
The
intention of the cardinals is to emphasise the nature of the service
on the part of the Curia and the universal and local church “in
terms of subsidiarity, rather than the exercise of centralised power.
The intended direction would be to put this into practice in the
service of the Church in all her dimensions”.
Another
important theme was the nature and functions of the Secretariat of
State, which “should be the secretariat of the Pope; the word State
should not give rise to doubt. This body serves the Pope in the
governance of the universal Church. The meeting of the Council is
very useful at the moment, in view of the directions the Pope will
give to the new Secretary of State, who will assume his role shortly,
on 15 October”.
Again
in relation to the Curia, the Council will address the matter of
relations between the heads of the dicasteries and the Pope, and
co-ordination between the various bodies. “In this context, mention
was made of the role of a 'Moderator Curiae' (moderator for the
Curia), and the functions of such a figure. The issue was touched
upon but no decision has been made as to whether it will form part of
the new constitution; however, it is in fact one of the hypotheses
suggested by the Council”.
With
regard to a possible reorganisation of the administration of temporal
goods, the cardinals touched upon this matter but without exploring
the theme in depth, since they are awaiting the “reports of the
referring commissions on the matter, who will communicate the results
of their work [to the Council]”.
The
question of the laity merited “significant attention” from
Council members, as they had received many suggestions and questions
on this subject from their various areas of origin. “When dealing
with the reform of the curia and its institutions, the Council also
plans to give more specific attention to issues relating to the
laity, so that this dimension of the life of the Church is properly
and effectively recognised and followed by the governance of the
Church. Now there is a Pontifical Council for the Laity, but it is
still possible to think of ways of strengthening this aspect”.
This
morning, in view of the preparations for the next Synod, debate on
the matter was reopened.
Finally,
Lombardi said that yesterday no date had been set for the next
meeting of the Council, although mention was made of a meeting in
spring next year, of an informal nature. “The intention”, he
concluded, “is to continue, without waiting for too long. Also, it
would be incorrect to assume that nothing happens between one meeting
and another; the cardinals and the Pope continue to exchange opinions
and messages, even in the absence of a plenary meeting of the
Council”.
A
SOLUTION FOR SYRIA: SET A PRECEDENT FOR OTHER CONFLICTS
Vatican
City, 3 October 2013 (VIS) – Archbishop Dominique Mamberti,
secretary for the Holy See's Relations with States, spoke during the
general debate of the 68th session of the United Nations General
Assembly, held in New York on 1 October. Archbishop Mamberti
expressed his wish that the session of the General Assembly be
inspired by the same spirit of universal solidarity that animated the
day of prayer for peace convoked by Pope Francis on 7 September, “so
that all nations take decisive steps towards the resolution of open
conflicts and to heal the wounds of humanity”.
Focusing
on the establishment of new and appropriate objectives for 2015, the
archbishop commented, with reference to G20, “if we wish to
guarantee the future achievement of common objectives for development
after 2015, it is urgent to draw up international judicial mechanisms
enabling the participation of all States in the conception and
implementation of major joint economic decisions”. Similarly,
Mamberti referred to the Pope's recent letter to the G20 leaders, who
met in St. Petersburg in September, in which he emphasised the
responsibility of the international community with regard to Syria,
and appealed to leaders to “find ways to overcome the various
oppositions and to abandon any vain pretext for a military solution”.
Archbishop
Mamberti commented that the tragedy in Syria constituted a challenge
and an opportunity for the United Nations to give new vigour to its
organs, mechanisms and procedures in a concerted, creative and
positive way. “A peaceful and lasting solution to the Syrian
conflict would set a significant precedent for this century, paving
the way to facing other conflicts that the international community
has not yet managed to resolve, would greatly facilitate the
inclusion of the principle of 'responsibility to protect' in the
United Nations Charter, and from the more general perspective of
economic and social development, would be the clearest and most
evident manifestation of the wish to embark, with honesty and
efficacy, on a path of sustainable development after 2015”.
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