In a video message to participants in an ecumenical gathering in Munich entitled ‘Encounter, reconciliation, future’, sponsored by Together for Europe, Pope Francis said:

“It is time to get together, to face the problems of our day with a true European spirit. Apart from some visible walls, other invisible walls are being strengthened that tend to divide our continent… They are walls made of fear and aggression, a failure to understand people of different backgrounds or faith. They are walls of political and economic selfishness, without respect for the life and dignity of every person.

“If Europe wants to be a family of peoples it should put the human person back at the centre; it should be an open, welcoming continent, and continue to establish ways of working together that are not only economic but also social and cultural.

“You, who have answered the Lord’s call courageously, are called to show his newness in your lives and bring to life the fruits of the Gospel, fruits that have grown from Christian roots, which for the past 2,000 years have nourished Europe.”

We are not enemies

The bishops of the Philippines said that the new President Rodrigo Duterte should not regard the bishops “as enemies wanting governments to fall, but as brethren and friends wishing politics to succeed”. They added that this will not prevent them from offering “our critique and denounce[ing] error”.

President Duterte has vowed to fight the Catholic hierarchy – most recently, over family planning.

Pope won’t be deterred

In an interview with Argentinian newspaper La Nacion, Pope Francis admitted that there are some in the Church who say no to everything and consequently oppose his reforms. He added that he will continue with his reforms without cutting off heads as “I reject conflict”.

The Pope said he wants a Church “that is open, understanding, which accompanies wounded families”, and he will not be deterred in executing this vision. He said the resignation of Pope Emeritus Benedict was a display of unparalleled generosity and “an act of governance, his last act of governance”.

‘Don’t seek scapegoats following Brexit vote’

In a letter to The Times of the UK, Car­dinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Muslim leader Ali Razi Rizvi said after the referendum, “in less than a week, increasing reports of inter-communal discord and racial hatred are cause for the gravest concern”.

They concluded that “every person has the power to conquer their own instinct to apportion blame to others for perceived injustice. We call upon every citizen to recognise personal accountability for their every action, rather than avoiding that responsibility by looking for scapegoats, and to challenge racial and communal prejudice.”

Marriage as viewed by Pan-Orthodox council

In a statement reported in L’Osservatore Romano, the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox said: “A civil marriage between a man and a woman registered in accordance with the law lacks sacramental character since it is a simple legalised cohabitation recognised by the State, different from a marriage blessed by God and the Church.

“Church members who contract a civil marriage ought to be regarded with pastoral responsibility, which is necessary to help them understand the value of marriage and its blessings. The Church does not allow for members to contract same-sex unions or any other form of cohabitation apart from marriage.”

(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)

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