The video conference of the Justice and Peace Committee of the Bishops’ Conferences around the world was held from November 17 to 18. The Pope sent a message to the participants. Participants at the meeting reflected on their role “in the post-COVID-19 era”, and analyzed challenges and visions in accordance with the encyclical “May You Be Praised” and “Brothers”.
(Vatican News Network)The video conference of the Justice and Peace Committee of the Bishops’ Conferences around the world organized by the Ministry for the Promotion of the Integral Human Development of the Holy See was held from November 17th to 18th. On this opportunity, the pope sent a message to the participants that when promoting the social teaching of the Church, “you can draw extensive inspiration from the encyclical “May You Be Praised” and the encyclical “Brothers”. Regions and countries, according to local conditions, strive to combine them.
The Pope wrote, “In every part of the world, overall development, that is to say justice and peace, can only be achieved through two paths, that is, caring for the common homeland, brotherhood and social friendship. These two paths begin. It begins with the gospel of Christ, but on this path, we can move forward with other Christian beliefs, other religions, and even men and women who do not have a specific religion.”
Therefore, the Pope encourages participants to “continue this work with hope, determination and creativity”, especially in the difficult context caused by the new crown epidemic. He explained, “The current crisis has exposed many contradictions in the economic and political systems, and the long-lasting unresolved challenges require the joint efforts of many parties.” “I urge you to deal with these issues and also to cooperate with churches and civil society that are committed to promoting justice and peace at the local, regional and international levels.”
The pope mentioned in the message that Pope St. Paul VI established the Council of Justice and Peace of the Holy See shortly after the end of the Vatican Second Ecumenical Council. Subsequently, the bishops’ conferences around the world also established their respective justice and peace committees. These committees “provide indispensable services in the social pastoral work of local churches. In fact, their task is to promote and make people aware of the church’s social doctrines, and to actually protect human dignity and their rights, so as to protect the poor and disadvantaged groups. First. In this way, these committees contribute to social justice, economic and ecological development, and peacebuilding.”
The Ministry of the Holy See for the Integral Development of Mankind organized this online conference to enhance the cooperation between the Justice and Peace Committee of the Bishops’ Conferences and the Holy See’s Ministry of the Holy See.
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