“How many and profound are the challenges to human goodness and identity that attend the arrival of ‘the other’ in a community! The reactions of both newcomers and long-time residents can range from elation to dread. The essays in this wonderful collection reflect the four key terms of Pope Francis all are called to welcome, protect, promote and integrate the stranger and all peoples are called to dialogue toward reconciliation, solidarity and flourishing in communities that are diverse and alive. The book is thus important and very timely.” (His Eminence Michael Cardinal Czerny, S.J., Under-Secretary, Migrants and Refugees Section, Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development)
By Isabella Piro
Synodality is not “a mere decision-making process”, but “a fundamental feature of the Church’s identity, says Cardinal Michael Czerny, Undersecretary of the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in an article published 31 December, in “La Civiltà Cattolica”. The Cardinal writes that synodality is the way in which “the Church disposes all its members to co-responsibility, enhances their charisms and ministries, and intensifies the bonds of fraternal love”. In this sense, it finds its premises in
Lumen gentium: in this dogmatic Constitution of the Second Vatican Council, “the importance of the laity in the life of the Church is included”, since they are called to participate in its government “according to their tasks, roles and ways”. But that’s not all: while collegiality refers, specifically, “to the exercise of the ministry of the bishops”, synodality, Cardinal Czerny emphasizes, i
By Amedeo Lomonaco
Vaccines were developed as a public good and must be provided to all in a fair and equitable manner, giving priority to those who need them most.
This is what the Vatican s Covid-19 Commission and the Pontifical Academy for Life have highlighted in a
joint document that discusses the essential role of the anti-covid vaccine to defeat the pandemic.
Referring to the Pope’s recent Christmas Message, world leaders are exhorted to reject the temptation to promote “various forms of nationalism” regarding the vaccine, and to cooperate in its distribution. As he said on 25 December, “for these lights to illuminate and bring hope to all, they need to be available to all.”
By Isabella Piro
Sunday, 8 March 2020, can be seen as a symbolic line that separates the before and the after of a unique year in many respects.
It is the date when, for the first time, Pope Francis’ Angelus was streamed live from the Library of the Apostolic Palace. The lockdown imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic was imminent. It is a bit strange this Angelus prayer today, with the Pope caged in the Library, but I see you, I am close to you, the Pope said, as he linked up with the world. That event concluded with him looking out of the window to bless St. Peter s Square.