Pope Francis met with members of the foundation supporting the “Hundred Years Encyclical” of the Pope, and urged them to develop a more just and equal society and protect human freedom and dignity. This is the core mission of implementing the church’s social precepts.
(Vatican News Network)At the end of the 2021 International Symposium of the Foundation in Support of the “Hundred Years Encyclical” of the Pope, Pope Francis received the members of the Foundation on October 23. The theme of this seminar is “Mutual Assistance, Cooperation and Responsibility”, which aims to combat injustice, inequality and exclusion. The Holy Father Pope praised the work of the foundation and pointed out that the countermeasures against injustice and exploitation in the world consist not only in condemnation, but also in “actively seeking well-being.”
This foundation is dedicated to researching new economic and social development models inspired by church social doctrine. The Pope calls it a “significant and extremely necessary” mission. “On a soil contaminated by financial dominance, we need to sow many small seeds so that they can bear fruit in an equal, beneficial, humane, and people-centered economy.” Mutual assistance, cooperation and responsibility are the focus of this seminar. These concepts are the “three pillars of the church’s social doctrine.” The Pope stated that the Church’s social doctrine is based on the close connection between people and points to the public interest. It neither supports individualism nor collectivism.
The foundation of the church’s social doctrine is the word of God. Because of the belief that our God was born into human beings, the goal of the church’s social teaching is to promote the overall development of human beings. To this end, we should “implement, cherish and develop”, because it is “a treasure of church tradition.” The Pope stated that research on the Church’s social doctrine has prompted the foundation to “fight against all kinds of inequalities that particularly affect the weakest and devote itself to the promotion of true and practical brotherhood.”
The Pope further explained that the three key words of this seminar also point to the mystery of God himself, the Trinity. God is the communion of the Trinity. This mystery inspires us to reach perfection. “Through cooperation with others, and commitment to others, that is, responsibility, open to others generously, that is, solidarity and mutual assistance.” Carrying out the mission of the church’s social precepts urges us to strive to develop a more just and equal society, while at the same time defending the dignity and freedom of everyone.”
The Pope said: “Dear friends, in the process of promoting these values and this lifestyle, we often find ourselves swimming against the current. However, we must always remember that we are not alone and that God is with us. Yes.” As Christians, we are called to work with everyone in the public interest. The pope quoted his encyclical “Brothers” and emphasized that “we can all be brothers and sisters.” “For this, we can and should think and act in the same manner as brothers and sisters as people.”
Although the dream of a more just and equal world seems out of reach, “we would rather believe that the dream will come true one day, because this is the dream of the Holy Trinity of God.” The Pope finally encouraged the members of the foundation to continue bravely on this path, because “the good they do for everyone in the world will please God.”
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