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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, during which he exhorted the faithful and all people of good will to renewed and strengthened personal commitment to the often dire needs of our neighbors, especially those who are hungry and thirsty.The Holy Father was speaking to pilgrims and tourists gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the occasion, during which he reflected on the first of the Corporal Works of Mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty.The Pope emphasized the need not only for personal commitment to causes like eradicating hunger and guaranteeing access to food and water, but for personal commitment to the people who are hungry – many of whom are our neighbors and fellow citizens.Click below to hear our report “Access to food and water is a basic human right, yet so many members of our human family, especially children, continue to suffer from hunger and thirst,” said Pope Fran...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, during which he exhorted the faithful and all people of good will to renewed and strengthened personal commitment to the often dire needs of our neighbors, especially those who are hungry and thirsty.
The Holy Father was speaking to pilgrims and tourists gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the occasion, during which he reflected on the first of the Corporal Works of Mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty.
The Pope emphasized the need not only for personal commitment to causes like eradicating hunger and guaranteeing access to food and water, but for personal commitment to the people who are hungry – many of whom are our neighbors and fellow citizens.
Click below to hear our report
“Access to food and water is a basic human right, yet so many members of our human family, especially children, continue to suffer from hunger and thirst,” said Pope Francis. “While grateful for the generosity and solidarity shown in the case of many tragic situations worldwide,” he continued, “we must never forget that this work of mercy calls us to respond personally to concrete situations of need in our own lives.”
Departing from his prepared text, Pope Francis said, “Poverty in the abstract does not challenge us: it makes us think, makes us complain; but when we see poverty in the flesh of a man, a woman, a child, this challenges us – and therefore, that habit we have fleeing the needy, of not approaching them, covering up somewhat the reality of the needy with fashionable habits, so as to avoid contact with needy people.”
“There is,” said Pope Francis, “no longer any distance between me and the poor person when I bump into him.”
(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, called on Monday for a financial system and a global economy that respects the human person.Speaking on the first day of the 3rd European Microfinance Forum (3rd EMF) taking place in Rome, Cardinal Turkson quoted from Pope Francis’ encyclicals and messages that denounce the current culture of waste and speak of an anthropological crisis that has placed wealth at the summit of a scale of values. He also praised the tools provided by microfinance and microcredit which, he said, “not only have a positive economic impact, but also a social and cultural one. The Forum aims to provide public institutions, private sector operators and non-profit organizations with an opportunity to debate and share views from their various perspectives on economic and social development and credit access.In his speech Cardinal Turkson said that right from the beginning of his Pontificate, s...
(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, called on Monday for a financial system and a global economy that respects the human person.
Speaking on the first day of the 3rd European Microfinance Forum (3rd EMF) taking place in Rome, Cardinal Turkson quoted from Pope Francis’ encyclicals and messages that denounce the current culture of waste and speak of an anthropological crisis that has placed wealth at the summit of a scale of values. He also praised the tools provided by microfinance and microcredit which, he said, “not only have a positive economic impact, but also a social and cultural one.
The Forum aims to provide public institutions, private sector operators and non-profit organizations with an opportunity to debate and share views from their various perspectives on economic and social development and credit access.
In his speech Cardinal Turkson said that right from the beginning of his Pontificate, starting with his Encyclical “Evangelii Gaudium”, Pope Francis has decried the fact that the current economic system is founded on exclusion and a throwaway culture that produces inequity: “that’s why he speaks of an economy that kills!”
Referring to the Pope’s “Laudato Sii’” encyclical, Turkson continued: “the Pope says: “Once more, we need to reject a magical conception of the market, which would suggest that problems can be solved simply by an increase in the profits of companies or individuals. Is it realistic to hope that those who are obsessed with maximizing profits will stop to reflect on the environmental damage which they will leave behind for future generations? Where profits alone count, there can be no thinking about the rhythms of nature, its phases of decay and regeneration, or the complexity of ecosystems which may be gravely upset by human intervention.”
And quoting from Pope Francis’ words again, this time upon receiving the Charlemagne Prize, Turkson said that the Pope clearly calls for the urgent need to come up with “new, more inclusive and equitable economic models, aimed not at serving the few, but at benefiting ordinary people and society as a whole”. Doing this – he said - “calls for moving from a liquid economy in which numbers are more important than people to a social economy”.
The Pope, Turkson said, clearly indicates that it is unacceptable that “the death from cold of an old man living on the streets doesn’t make the news while the loss of 2 points on the stock exchange does”.
The cause of his, he said, is the anthropological crisis the world is going through; and it is much deeper than the economic one: “the denial of the primacy of the human person”. Money and wealth – he explained – are being worshipped as the new idol.
Cardinal Turkson also explained that the Pope does not limit himself to criticizing the current economic model, but outlines the characteristics of a more equal economy, that gives everyone the possibility to participate within respect for human dignity and care for the environment.
Indicating a social economy that “invests in persons by creating jobs and providing training,” Turkson said, the Pope asks us to “move from a liquid economy prepared to use corruption as a means of obtaining profits to a social economy that guarantees access to land and lodging through labour.”
Highlighting the fact that we need a modern social market economy to be able to tackle the challenges of unemployment, increasing inequality and environmental degradation, the Cardinal stressed how the human person and his and her fundamental and inalienable human rights must be at the fulcrum of such a system.
Cardinal Turkson acknowledged that the crucial challenge a new model of social economy will be called to face is globalization, and especially that “globalization of indifference” that opposes a globalization of solidarity.
The Cardinal concluded his speech saying that the tools provided by microfinance and microcredit in tackling unemployment, inequality and environmental degradation are of “crucial importance”.
Microcredit, he said, places trust in those who are not considered “adequate” by banks to receive financial loans, “it places trust in the marginalized, in the excluded of our throwaway culture, in their capacity to get organized and bring about change for themselves, for their families, for their communities”.
And, he said, microfinance and microcredit do not only have an economic impact, but a social and cultural one as well.
Cardinal Turkson concluded his address quoting from Evangelii Gaudium: “As long as the problems of the poor are not radically resolved by rejecting the absolute autonomy of markets and financial speculation, and by attacking the structural causes of inequality, no solution will be found for the world's problems or, for that matter, to any problems.”
Malolos Diocese in Philippines had their annual Youth Congress on Oct. 14 at the Sports and Convention Centre with the theme “The Modern Youth and the Christian Family’s Active Role in the Eucharist”.During Mass to open the event, Msgr. Bartolome Santos, Vicar General of the Diocese of Malolos, urged the participants to be “Eucharistic persons” and explained to them the three important characteristics of being Eucharistic persons namely, prayerful, thankful, and communal. He called them to live out these qualities despite their youth.Organized by the Diocesan Campus Ministry (DCM) of the Diocese of Malolos , the congress included two keynote speakers, Bro. Alvin Barcelona and Rita Cusio. Barcelona spoke about the topic “21st Century Youth Leader: Media, Technology, and the Youth of Today”. Meanwhile, Cusio gave a talk on “Awakening the Greatness Within: It Takes a Leader to Raise Up a Leader”.Some 600 st...
Malolos Diocese in Philippines had their annual Youth Congress on Oct. 14 at the Sports and Convention Centre with the theme “The Modern Youth and the Christian Family’s Active Role in the Eucharist”.
During Mass to open the event, Msgr. Bartolome Santos, Vicar General of the Diocese of Malolos, urged the participants to be “Eucharistic persons” and explained to them the three important characteristics of being Eucharistic persons namely, prayerful, thankful, and communal. He called them to live out these qualities despite their youth.
Organized by the Diocesan Campus Ministry (DCM) of the Diocese of Malolos , the congress included two keynote speakers, Bro. Alvin Barcelona and Rita Cusio. Barcelona spoke about the topic “21st Century Youth Leader: Media, Technology, and the Youth of Today”. Meanwhile, Cusio gave a talk on “Awakening the Greatness Within: It Takes a Leader to Raise Up a Leader”.
Some 600 students from different Catholic schools in the Diocese of Malolos attended the said event. The DCM, headed by Fr. Oscar Christian Duran as director, organized this year’s congress. (CBCP)
(Vatican Radio) As Iraqi troops move on Mosul to liberate the strategic city from the so-called Islamic State, the Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, has called for peace and national unity in Iraq.Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni: In an appeal shared with AsiaNews, His Beatitude Louis Raphael Sako says he would like to “speak from the bottom of his heart to our Iraqi family as a whole”.In such difficult and exceptional circumstances, he says, he feels the need to address common concerns and worries and warns that if “the voices of division, inflexibility and break up begin to rise, they may obstruct the operations of release”.“I strongly believe – Patriarch Sako says – that we Iraqis are one family despite our different affiliations”.And he calls on all to avoid accusations and blame and urges everyone to put an end to disputes and factional interests.“Only by upholding the good of all Iraqis – he says - &nb...
(Vatican Radio) As Iraqi troops move on Mosul to liberate the strategic city from the so-called Islamic State, the Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, has called for peace and national unity in Iraq.
Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni:
In an appeal shared with AsiaNews, His Beatitude Louis Raphael Sako says he would like to “speak from the bottom of his heart to our Iraqi family as a whole”.
In such difficult and exceptional circumstances, he says, he feels the need to address common concerns and worries and warns that if “the voices of division, inflexibility and break up begin to rise, they may obstruct the operations of release”.
“I strongly believe – Patriarch Sako says – that we Iraqis are one family despite our different affiliations”.
And he calls on all to avoid accusations and blame and urges everyone to put an end to disputes and factional interests.
“Only by upholding the good of all Iraqis – he says - will we be able to pave the path for real reconciliation, love, peace and the release of all occupied lands and hope for the establishment of a genuine and civil democracy that respects all.
Patriarch Sako also calls on the international community to take concrete steps to allow Iraq and the whole region to regain security and peace.
This kind of success – he concludes – would be a triumph for everyone and for international well-being.
New York City, N.Y., Oct 19, 2016 / 06:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The apostolic nuncio to the United Nations again stressed the need for nuclear weapons disarmament on Monday, with the worldwide adherence to the non-proliferation treaty a step to this goal.“Nuclear arms offer a false sense of security and the uneasy peace promised by nuclear deterrence is a tragic illusion.” Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the apostolic nuncio heading the Holy See’s permanent observer mission to the United Nations, said Oct. 17.“Nuclear weapons cannot create a stable and secure world. Peace and international stability cannot be established on mutually assured destruction or on the threat of total annihilation. Lasting peace cannot be guaranteed by the maintenance of a balance of terror,” he added.Instead, peace must be based on justice, socio-economic development, freedom, human rights, and building trust between peoples, the archbishop told a session of the U.N. General Assem...
New York City, N.Y., Oct 19, 2016 / 06:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The apostolic nuncio to the United Nations again stressed the need for nuclear weapons disarmament on Monday, with the worldwide adherence to the non-proliferation treaty a step to this goal.
“Nuclear arms offer a false sense of security and the uneasy peace promised by nuclear deterrence is a tragic illusion.” Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the apostolic nuncio heading the Holy See’s permanent observer mission to the United Nations, said Oct. 17.
“Nuclear weapons cannot create a stable and secure world. Peace and international stability cannot be established on mutually assured destruction or on the threat of total annihilation. Lasting peace cannot be guaranteed by the maintenance of a balance of terror,” he added.
Instead, peace must be based on justice, socio-economic development, freedom, human rights, and building trust between peoples, the archbishop told a session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City.
“The indefinite possession of nuclear weapons is morally wrong,” he added, deeming this an affront to the “entire framework of the United Nations” and a contradiction to its vocation of service to humanity and the global common good.
He cited Pope Francis’ September 2015 address to the U.N. The Roman Pontiff stressed the “urgent need to work for a world free of nuclear weapons” and backed the non-proliferation treaty as a step towards “a complete prohibition of these weapons.”
Archbishop Auza lamented resistance to the Treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which requires nuclear states to divest themselves of their nuclear arsenals. He said this resistance undermines the credibility of boycotts, threats, and other forms of persuasion against countries suspected of developing nuclear weapons.
He called on the committee to redouble its efforts to help the U.N. General Assembly secure a legally binding prohibition on nuclear weapons.
Archbishop Auza said that nuclear deterrence doctrine has made it more difficult to achieve nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament.
It also raises the possibility that nuclear weapons will be deployed intentionally or by accident.
“The task we face is arduous and the challenges are multifaceted, but we must face them with hope, resolve and confidence,” the nuncio said. “The Holy See echoes the cry of humanity to be freed from the specter of nuclear warfare. It is important for every schoolchild to know that a nuclear war would have horrendous consequences for people and the whole planet.”
The archbishop noted the Holy See’s regular support for nuclear disarmament anti-proliferation treaties and its participation in conferences on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons.
Archbishop Auza recounted the long history of the papacy’s opposition to nuclear warfare.
In February 1943, Venerable Pius XII voiced deep concern about the violent use of atomic energy and later responded to the atomic bombings at the close of World War II.
“After Hiroshima and Nagasaki, observing the totally uncontrollable and indiscriminate consequences of nuclear weapons, Pope Pius XII demanded the effective proscription of atomic warfare, calling the arms race a costly relationship of mutual terror,” the nuncio said.
By Junno Arocho EstevesVATICAN CITY (CNS)-- While donation campaigns and charitable contributions for the needy areimportant, true Christian charity involves a more personal touch, Pope Francis said.Coming face to facewith the poor may pose a challenge and tempt people to turn the other way and give in to"the habit of fleeing from needy people and not approach them or disguisea bit the reality of the needy," the pope said Oct. 19 during his generalaudience in St. Peter's Square."Poverty in theabstract does not challenge us. It may make us think, it may make us complain,but when you see poverty in the flesh of a man, a woman a child; this (certainly)challenges us!" he said.Thousands packed thesquare for the weekly audience, many of whom attended the Oct. 16 canonizationMass of seven new saints. Among the pilgrims was a group from the pope's native Argentina whosang folk music and dressed in traditional ponchos.After his address,the pope greeted the group and blessed a life-sized sta...
By Junno Arocho Esteves
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While donation campaigns and charitable contributions for the needy are important, true Christian charity involves a more personal touch, Pope Francis said.
Coming face to face with the poor may pose a challenge and tempt people to turn the other way and give in to "the habit of fleeing from needy people and not approach them or disguise a bit the reality of the needy," the pope said Oct. 19 during his general audience in St. Peter's Square.
"Poverty in the abstract does not challenge us. It may make us think, it may make us complain, but when you see poverty in the flesh of a man, a woman a child; this (certainly) challenges us!" he said.
Thousands packed the square for the weekly audience, many of whom attended the Oct. 16 canonization Mass of seven new saints. Among the pilgrims was a group from the pope's native Argentina who sang folk music and dressed in traditional ponchos.
After his address, the pope greeted the group and blessed a life-sized statue of newly canonized saint, St. Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero. The statute depicted the "gaucho priest" seated on his mule; his means of transportation when traveling thousands of miles to minister to the poor and the sick.
In a new series of talks on works of mercy, the pope reflected on the first corporal work of mercy -- feeding the hungry -- which he said was important in confronting real "situations of urgent need."
Although images of extreme poverty can move people to initiate important works of charity and generous donations, it "does not directly involve us."
When a poor person "knocks on the door of our house, it is very different because we are no longer facing an image but are personally involved," he explained.
"In these instances, what is my reaction? Do I turn away? Do I move on? Or do I stop to talk and take an interest? If you do this, there will always be someone who says, 'This one is crazy, talking to a poor person,'" the pope said.
Recalling St. James' affirmation that "faith without works is dead," Pope Francis said that Christians cannot "delegate" feeding the hungry to others and helping the needy through words and deeds.
Jesus' command to his disciples to feed the crowd prior to the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, he added, is also "an important lesson for us."
"It tells us that the little that we have, if we entrust it to Jesus' hands and share it with faith, can turn into an overabundant wealth," the pope said.
Citing Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical "Caritas in Veritate" ("Charity in Truth"), the pope said that feeding the hungry is "an ethical imperative for the universal church" and a calling for all Christians to defend the universal right to food and water, especially for the poor and the needy.
"Our relationship with God -- a God who, through Jesus, has revealed his merciful face -- involves our giving food to the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty," Pope Francis said.
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Follow Arocho on Twitter: @arochoju.
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