The following quotes are taken from Pope Francis’s address last Monday to the members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See.
Culture of rejection
“Rejection is an attitude we all share; it makes us see our neighbour not as a brother or sister to be accepted, but as unworthy of our attention, a rival, someone to be bent to our will. This mindset fosters that ‘throwaway culture’ which spares nothing, no one: nature, human beings, even God. It gives rise to a humanity filled with pain and constantly torn by tensions and conflicts of every sort.”
Its social dimension
“The personal dimension of rejection is accompanied by a social dimension, a culture of rejection that severs the deepest, most authentic human bonds, leading to breakdown of society and spawning violence and death. We see painful evidence of this in the events reported in the news, not least the tragic slayings in Paris a few days ago.
“Other people ‘are no longer regarded as beings of equal dignity, as brothers or sisters sharing a common humanity, but as objects’ (Message for 2015 World Day of Peace). Losing their freedom, people become enslaved, whether to the latest fads, or to power, money, or even deviant forms of religion.”
Throwaway culture
“The Middle East is tragically embroiled in other conflicts that have lasted far too long, with chilling repercussions, due also to the spread of fundamentalist terrorism in Syria and in Iraq. This phenomenon is a consequence of the throwaway culture being applied to God. Religious fundamentalism, even before it eliminates human beings by perpetrating horrendous killings, eliminates God Himself, turning Him into a mere ideological pretext.
“In face of such unjust aggression, a response is needed, one which, within the framework of international law, can end the spread of acts of violence, restore harmony and heal the deep wounds which the ongoing conflicts have caused.”
Fundamentalism
“A Middle East without Christians would be marred and mutilated. In urging the international community not to remain indifferent in this situation, I express my hope that religious, political and intellectual leaders, especially those of the Muslim community, will condemn all fundamentalist and extremist interpretations of religion which attempt to justify such acts of violence.”
Levelling of cultures
“Among the causes of these realities is a model of globalisation which levels out differences and even discards cultures, cutting them off from those factors which shape each people’s identity and constitute a legacy essential to their sound social development. In a drab, anonymous world, it is easy to understand the difficulties and the discouragement felt by many people who have literally lost the sense of being alive.
“This tragic situation is aggravated by the continuing economic crisis, which fosters pessimism and social conflict. I have been able to see its effects here in Rome, where I meet many people in trying situations, and in the various journeys I have made in Italy.”
The crime of rape
“Nor can we overlook the fact that wars involve another horrendous crime, the crime of rape. This is a most grave offense against the dignity of women, who are not only violated in body but also in spirit, resulting in a trauma hard to erase and with effects on society as well.
“Sadly, even apart from situations of war, all too many women even today are victims of violence.”
(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)