Addressing seminarians and teachers from the Pontifical Spanish College of St Joseph in an audience at the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis called on seminarians to overcome individualism by their spirituality, to offer their lives rather than merely seeking a degree, and to live austerely and trust in Divine Providence.
The Pope also warned against “clerical academicism” and “ecclesiastical careerism” and said “the devil always enters through the pocket”. He asked the seminarians to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength.
‘Immoral’ to help Trump build wall
The Archdiocese of Mexico City is taking a very strong position against possible cooperation in the building of the wall that President Donald Trump wants to be built between the US and Mexico. In an editorial in Desde la Fe, the newspaper of the Mexico City archdiocese, it was argued that helping to build this border would be immoral.
Desde la Fe wrote editorially that the wall would be “a serious affront to dignity”. The paper criticised the Mexican government for a “tepid” reaction to statements by some Mexican corporations that they would be willing to bid on the Trump project.
“Any company that intends to invest in the fanatic Trump wall would be immoral, but above all, their owners and shareholders would be considered traitors to the homeland,” the editorial said.
A spokesman for Cardinal Norberto Rivera confirmed that the editorial reflected the views of the archdiocese.
Moral duty to destroy nuclear weapons
Holy See delegate to the United Nations, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, told a UN session on nuclear disarmament that “the threat of mutually assured destruction through nuclear weapons cannot be the basis for an ethics of fraternity and peaceful coexistence among peoples and states”.
Archbishop Auza remined the members of the assembly of the appeal made by Pope Francis for the total elimination of all nuclear weapons. He said all States have a moral obligation to stop nuclear proliferation and to destroy their own stockpiles of nuclear arms.
Nuclear weapons cause “unnecessary suffering” for survivors, Auza argued, and “merit unequivocal and unhesitating condemnation”. He said States should provide compensation for people harmed by radiation from nuclear tests.
(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)