HOW POPE STATES: MAY THOSE WHO FIGHT WARS CONVERT TO FIGHTING FOR PEACE, (879 hits)
For Immediate Release From Vatican News!
(A Five-Minute Read)
Pope: Care For Creation Is An Ethical And Theological Issue
Pope Francis releases his message for the 2024 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and appeals for humanity's conversion so that we acknowledge the disastrous effects of war and set ethical limits on the development of artificial intelligence. By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Humanity's abuse of nature requires a true conversion and invites us to change our lifestyles.
Pope Francis made this appeal in his Message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, to be held on September 1, 2024, which was published Thursday.
'Hope and Act With Creation'
The Day's theme this year is “Hope and Act with Creation," drawn from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans (8:19-25), in which the Apostle explains what it means for us to live according to the Spirit, and focuses on the sure hope of salvation that is born of faith, namely, the newness of life in Christ.
The message signed by Pope Francis on June 27 is broken up into nine sections, which all highlight our responsibility to take care of our Common Home. It stresses that, as Christians called to live in faith and charity, caring for the environment is "a task to be undertaken freely, in obedience to Jesus’ commandment of love."
Enslaved Through No Fault Of Its Own
"Creation itself, like humanity, was enslaved, albeit through no fault of its own," the Pope laments, observing that it "finds itself unable to fulfil the lasting meaning and purpose for which it was designed."
The environment, the Pope decries, "is subject to dissolution and death, aggravated by the human abuse of nature." Yet, at the same time, he reassures, "the salvation of humanity in Christ is a sure hope also for creation, for, 'the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.'”
“The salvation of humanity in Christ is a sure hope also for creation, for, 'the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
Pope: May Those Who Fight Wars Convert To Fighting For Peace
Pope Francis prays for peace and remembers today's martyrs, highlighting worldwide discrimination and persecution. By Francesca Merlo
Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square for his Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis invited all those present to implore the Sacred Heart of Jesus "to touch the hearts of those who desire war, so that they may be converted to plans of dialogue and peace".
He emphasised, as he often does, the importance of continuing to pray for peace in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and Myanmar, as well as in the "many other places where there is so much suffering because of war".
A Time of Martyrdom
Greeting pilgrims after the recitiation of the Marian Prayer, Pope Francis also recalled today's observance, just one day after the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, of the liturgical commemoration of the first Roman martyrs, also known as the first martyrs of the Church of Rome. "We too", said the Pope, "live in a time of martyrdom", adding, "even more so than in the early centuries".
He explained that in various parts of the world, "many of our brothers and sisters suffer discrimination and persecution because of their faith, thereby nurturing the Church". Others, he continued, face a "white-glove" martyrdom: a term the Pope has used since the early years of his pontificate, to indicate a subtle form of persecution, through which Christians are driven away, marginalised, and discriminated against in political and social life.
"Let us support them and be inspired by their testimony of love for Christ", concluded the Pope.
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Pope Francis Meets With Climate Activist Al Gore
Pope Francis receives Al Gore, the former vice president of the United States, in a private audience on Friday. By Vatican News staff reporter
Pope Francis met Friday with former US vice president Al Gore, who is in Rome for a three-day summit sponsored by his “Climate Reality Project.”
According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, Gore praised the Pope for the impact of the encyclical Laudato sí on the 2015 Paris Accords on climate change, and for the recent Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum. Gore described the Vatican as an example of “ecological transition” in practice, pointing to the announcement of the establishment of an agrivoltaic plant at Santa Maria di Galeria.
For his part, Pope Francis thanked Gore for the “‘climate concern’ that has always inspired his political activity.” The two leaders agreed “on the need to accelerate the transition despite the resistance of large fossil fuel companies” and “discussed possible forms of collaboration to try to have a greater impact on public opinion.”
After the private meeting at the Pope’s residence in Casa Santa Marta, Gore visited St Peter’s Basilica, where he met with Cardinal Archpriest Mauro Gambetti. The Director of Communications for the Papal Basilica, Father Enzo Fortunato, said that the Gore made a commitment to contribute to the next World Children’s Day, in 2026, as well as for the upcoming Jubilee Year of 2025.
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Ukraine: Zelensky Thanks Holy See For Its Help In The Release Of Two Priests
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, express gratitude to the Pope and Vatican diplomacy for their "invaluable contribution" in the release of ten Ukrainian prisoners by Russian forces, including two members of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Fathers Ivan Levytskyi and Bohdan Heleta. By Amedeo Lomonaco
Ivan Levytskyi and Bohdan Heleta, both priests of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists), were among the ten individuals released by Russia in a prisoner exchange with Ukraine. The two priests had been arrested on November 16, 2022, and for a long time there had been no news of their whereabouts. Announcing the release of this group in a post on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote: "I am grateful to everyone who helped. I thank our team working to free the prisoners. I also want to acknowledge the efforts of the Holy See in bringing these people home."
The Two Redemptorists Had Stayed In The Occupied Territories
The primate and head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, echoed similar sentiments, thanking Pope Francis, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the entire Vatican diplomatic corps for their efforts. Special thanks were also expressed to Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who had repeatedly called for the release of the two clerics, and Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the apostolic nuncio in Ukraine. Each of them, as noted in a communiqué from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, made an invaluable personal contribution to make the liberation of the prisoners possible.
The communiqué also mentioned that Fathers Ivan Levytskyi and Bohdan Heleta had chosen to stay with their community in the temporarily occupied territories, ministering to both Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic communities. They were arrested on charges of possessing weapons. It was only recently, that Major Archbishop Sviatoslav had received confirmation that the two Redemptorists were still alive.
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Pope Prays For Worldwide Release Of Prisoners Of War
Pope Francis appeals for an end for all wars, and in celebrating the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war, asks that all prisoners, everywhere, be able to go home. By Francesca Merlo
As Ukraine and the Holy See celebrate the release of ten Ukrainian prisoners by Russian forces, Pope Francis prayed that "all prisoners of war return home soon".
At the end of his Angelus prayer for the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on Saturday, 29 June, the Holy Father's thoughts, in particular, turned to the two Greek-Catholic priests who were released as part of the prisoner swap.
On Friday evening, Fathers Ivan Levytskyi and Bohdan Heleta, both members of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, were released by Russia along with eight others in a prisoner exchange with Ukraine.
Pope Francis on Saturday also invited all those present to pray together that all prisoners return home. At the same time, he reflected "with pain" on the "brothers and sisters suffering because of war".
"Let us think of all the people wounded or threatened by the fighting", said the Pope, asking that God may "free them and sustain them in the struggle for peace".
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SACRU Summer School To Foster Global Dialogue On Democracy
The Summer School will welcome 16 students from 6 universities in Europe, Oceania, North America and South America, showcasing the global outreach of the SACRU network and its commitment to engaging the young generation worldwide The Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU) will hold its first Summer School: "A New World Order: The Way Ahead between Democracy and Authoritarian Challenges." The initiative will take place from July 1st to July 14th, 2024, at the Lisbon campus of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, one of the partners of the SACRU network.
The Summer School will welcome 16 students from 6 universities in Europe, Oceania, North America and South America. The program aims to provide a comprehensive educational experience, combining academic study with cultural immersion. This first edition will be dedicated to the pervasive and pressing challenges currently threatening the stability and deemed desirability of 'liberal democracy' in an increasingly interconnected, competitive and complex global order.
A crushing sequence of world-rocking events - from the 9/11 terror attacks and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a global refugee crisis, unprecedented waves of migration, and a global public health catastrophe caused by Covid-19 - has taken a heavy toll on liberal democracy's standing, self-confidence and perceived suitability in dealing with present-day intricate realities.
«This Summer School reflects SACRU's commitment to engaging the young generation worldwide. This program will offer students a unique experience that goes beyond the hours of teaching. It will be an opportunity for them to feel part of a global network and build strong ties with one another. In a present and future defined by internationalization, it is fundamental for the Alliance to keep proposing similar initiatives» SACRU Secretary General and Università Cattolica Vice-Rector Prof. Pier Sandro Cocconcelli commented.
The course will be both extremely relevant and consequential to scholars and students seeking to reflect on how 'liberal democracy' should be defined, how it was developed, what interactions have been adopted, what has gone wrong, what criticisms have become popular, and what principles should guide a possible 'liberal democratic" revival. The multidisciplinary nature of the program is one of its principal strengths. Indeed, the students selected to attend the program come from several backgrounds: Political Science, International Relations, Development and Cooperation, History, Philosophy, Law, Nursing, Languages, Business, and Psychology. This integration of various disciplines enriches the learning experience, fosters a comprehensive understanding of complex global issues, and proves that the SACRU's focus
