Considered one of the weightiest forms of papal writing, an encyclical takes the form of a letter, usually addressed to members of the Catholic Church but sometimes also to society at large. A pontiff typically expands on some teaching of the Catholic faith, pointing out errors that could threaten the faithful’s understanding of Catholic doctrine or suggesting possible solutions to global problems.
2- How many encyclicals has Pope Francis written?
Pope Francis has published two encyclicals: “Lumen Fidei” (“Light of Faith”), released in 2013, and now “Laudato Si’” (“Be Praised”). However, the former was largely the work of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, so the latter is the first to express Pope Francis’ distinctive teaching.
3- Why has this encyclical received so much attention?
No previous pope has devoted an entire encyclical to the environment. Moreover, Pope Francis has said he wants it to “make a contribution” to a Paris summit on climate change at the end of this year. The pope’s huge popularity and moral suasion means his stance could influence the debate.
4- What does the encyclical say about climate change?
Pope Francis calls global warming a major threat to life on the planet and says it is mainly caused by human activity. He argues there is an “urgent” need for policies that reduce carbon emissions, among other ways, by “substituting for fossil fuels and developing sources of renewable energy.”
5- What other topics does the encyclical address?
It highlights the depletion of clean water and the loss of biodiversity. The 183-page encyclical includes an extensive section on Catholic theology of creation and critiques of economic globalization and consumer culture. Emphasizing his signature theme of economic justice, Pope Francis focuses on the unequal social effects of environmental problems on the “most vulnerable people on the planet.”
On waste - The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.
On the extinction of species - Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us. We have no such right.
On God’s love - The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God.
The encyclical, to be published June 18, is titled “Laudato Sii” (“Praised Be”), the first words of St Francis’ “Canticle of the Creatures.”. Here is a video that introduces in a light-hearted but informative way.
"The encyclical is not expected to be a theological treatise or a technical document about environmental issues, but a pastoral call to change the way people use the planet’s resources so they are sufficient not only for current needs, but for future generations, observers said." (Source <here>)
Do you think the Vatican can help save the environment? Why will some people disagree with it? (Think money!) Do you think Catholics will make an extra effort to take care of the environment? Why? How is this biblically based?
Last year saw a 'Top 10' list of resolutions put together from various things Pope Francis has said over the year, see <here>. However this year, in his Christmas address to Vatican employees, who are mostly lay people with families, he asked them to do 10 things.
The list sounded to many remarkably like a list of suggestions for New Year’s resolutions:
"Take care of your spiritual life, your relationship with God, because this is the backbone of everything we do and everything we are.”
“Take care of your family life, giving your children and loved ones not just money, but most of all your time, attention and love.”
“Take care of your relationships with others, transforming your faith into life and your words into good works, especially on behalf of the needy.”
"Be careful how you speak, purify your tongue of offensive words, vulgarity and worldly decadence.”
“Heal wounds of the heart with the oil of forgiveness, forgiving those who have hurt us and medicating the wounds we have caused others.”
"Look after your work, doing it with enthusiasm, humility, competence, passion and with a spirit that knows how to thank the Lord.”
“Be careful of envy, lust, hatred and negative feelings that devour our interior peace and transform us into destroyed and destructive people.”
“Watch out for anger that can lead to vengeance; for laziness that leads to existential euthanasia; for pointing the finger at others, which leads to pride; and for complaining continually, which leads to desperation.”
“Take care of brothers and sisters who are weaker … the elderly, the sick, the hungry, the homeless and strangers, because we will be judged on this.”
"Making sure your Christmas is about Jesus and not about shopping."
What are your new year resolutions? Have you broken them yet? Do you think these are just for Catholic or do they have universal appeal?
See <here> for more info
Commentator John Thavis has called this document a "pastoral earthquake" (see <here>) while others have described the Synod as a "coven of perversion and perversity" (see <here>). However the media headlines have all focused on the Church to adopting a more positive stance on homosexuality.
This document is only part way through the meeting of Church leaders called by Pope Francis. The preliminary report written by bishops said homosexuals had "gifts and qualities to offer" and should not be turned away.
The Catholic Herald reports:
The document calls on the Church to build on the “positive aspects” of relationships that are deemed irregular – such as between remarried couples or same-sex partners – and keep the “doors always wide open” to people in those relationships.
The relatio says that the Church reaching out to divorced Catholics does not represent a “weakening of its faith” but an exercise of charity.
The document asks the questions:
Are we capable of welcoming these people [homosexuals], guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities? Often they wish to encounter a church that offers them a welcoming home. Are our communities capable of providing that, accepting and valuing their sexual orientation, without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?
This links to the emphasis of the “principle of graduality”, This is the idea that Catholics move towards full acceptance of Church teaching in steps, and that the Church needs to accompany them with patience and understanding.
Joshua McElwee, writing <here>, a Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, said that the synod’s interim document has “a decidedly different tone” from many Church statements in recent years.
Cardinal Cardinal Wilfrid F. Napier summed up some of the controversy by saying, “Individual things that were said by individuals, may have been repeated a couple of times, are put in here as if they really do reflect the feeling of the whole synod. They've been picked up by the media then and made to be the message of the synod. I think that’s where the upset is.” (see <here>)
The Vatican Press Office has also made this very clear: "The General Secretariat of the Synod … reiterates that it is a working document, which summarizes the interventions and debate of the first week" (see <here>).
Perhaps the trouble is that the media have latched upon some messages of the document and are putting forward a different tone of message from what the Bishops hoped for?
However the end result appears to be one of charity and understanding, recognising good in all, and working towards better relationships with one another and with the Church. The next week will be interesting, as will the Synod in 2015 on the The Family. This document has created hope for many, despite the reservation from others.
Do you think it is right that Church looks at these teachings? Do you think there is anything new here, or should Catholics have always been looking for good in everyone? Why do you think some people are not happy with this?
This weekend saw the start of an "extraordinary Synod" in the Vatican. It will be a two-week meeting by over 200 leaders of the Catholic Church, including the Pope to discuss marriage, divorce, homosexuality, abortion, contraception and all other matters connecting to family life.
The agenda was set after an opinion survey of Catholics world-wide ordered by Pope Francis last year. Many have claimed it was aimed at looking at to what extent Catholic teaching is being rejected or ignored by the faithful.
Even strongly Roman Catholic countries, have legalised abortion, divorce and same-sex marriages. Many Roman Catholics use birth control and a significant number have divorced (and potentially remarried).
There has been much made of Pope Francis' own views on sexuality which have been conditioned by years of working in the slums of Buenos Aires. He continues to stress the importance of understanding the problems faced by the poor, rather than focussing only on obedience to unbending rules.
"We cannot insist only upon issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraception,.. The dogmatic and moral teachings of the church are not all equivalent,.. The church's pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines… We have to find a new balance, otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards."
The world will be listening very carefully to what this Synod has to say...
What do you think the Church leaders will have to say? Will it change much?
50,000 pilgrims went to Saint Peter's Square last Sunday for a meeting between Pope Francis and elderly people from around the world. One special guest was retired pontiff Benedict XVI.
The current Holy Father described Pope Benedict as the “grandfather of all grandfathers". He went on to say. “I have said many times that it gives me great pleasure that he lives here in the Vatican, because it is like having a wise grandfather at home. Thank you!”
Pope Francis went on to warn against the reality of the abandonment of the elderly, describing it as a “hidden euthanasia,”. He said it is the effect of a “culture which discards” human beings. Children, unemployed youth, and elderly persons are discarded on the pretense of maintaining a system of economic “balance”. The center of this culture is no longer “the human person,” but “money.” reported CNA.
“We are all called to counter this poisonous culture of waste." was a clear message to all.
After a few days of 'could it be'? The two World Cup Semi-Finals have been decided and it will be Pope Francis' Argentina versus Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's Germany. This has raised much speculation of a 'lads footy night' between the two Pope's.
Pope Francis is a big football fan and card-carrying member of the San Lorenzo de Almagro football club since childhood. On the other hand, football is not really Pope Benedict's thing, "...he is not a fan. It would be like inflicting an infinite penitence on him at the age of 87. He has never been able to watch a football match from beginning to end in his life.". The Vatican have also said it is past Pope Francis' usual bedtime but they "will see".
Despite this, the internet has gone into overdrive (apologies, I don't have credits for all of these, please email TalkingDonkeyRE@gmail.com or Tweet @TalkingDonkeyRE and credit will be added):
Father Thomas Rosica, a member of the Vatican communications, also said in a tweet: "Unconfirmed reports in Italian media: large quantities of mate and Fanta delivered to Vatican for private event Sunday" -- a reference to the famous Argentine tipple and the German fizzy drink.
The Vatican's own official daily newspaper, the Osservatore Romano predicted that Argentine and Germany would reach the final. Former footballer player and Catholic, Tommaso Damiani, said that "there could be a final that will go down in history because of its unusual supporters [Francis and Benedict]".
Despite claiming that he would not be praying for Argentina in the World Cup, the Vatican affairs news agency I.Media reported that when a group of the Vatican's Swiss Guards invited him to watch the Argentina-Switzerland game in their barracks, he declined the offer saying: "There would be a war!"
Divine Mercy Sunday (The Sunday after Easter) was a particularly special day in 2014. On the 27th April two much-loved Popes were made saints by two other much-loved Popes. John XXIII and John Paul II were canonised by Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in a single ceremony in St Peter's Square, Rome.
Estimates are that around 1 million peoples tried to get close to St Peter's Square on the Sunday with big screens set up all over the city. It was also broadcast around the world to cinemas in 3D and other places of Catholic significance such as Lourdes (where I was!).
It was a day of many 'firsts', the biggest perhaps being the fact it is the first time in the history of the Catholic Church that two living Popes have presided over the canonisation of two of their predecessors.
Much has been written about the significance of the day, and its political motivations trying to unite the 'left' and 'right' of the Church, but ultimately it was a day of celebration for the 1 billion Catholics around the world.
Did you watch any of the coverage? Where did you watch it? Did you know anything about these two Popes and what they did for the Church? Will you ask them to intercede your prayers?
The Queen fitted in a brief visit to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis. They exchanged gifts during the visit which lasted around 20 minutes.
This meeting came during the centenary of Britain re-establishing relations with the Holy See in 1914. There had been a divide for centuries after the schism caused by Henry VIII's divorce in the 1500's.
It was the Queen's seventh encounter with a Pope. She previously met Pius XII when she was the Princess Royal in 1951, John XXIII in 1961, John Paul II in 1980, 1982 and 2000, and Benedict XVI during his visit to the UK in 2010.
The gift for Pope Francis was a hamper filled with items from each of her estates (homes) including venison and whisky from Scotland, apple juice from Norfolk and honey from Buckingham Palace!
However the Pope indicated he would donate the contents to a “local poor house”.
What would you give to Pope Francis as a gift? Do you think the Pope is right to give his present to the poor? Do you think the visit was as significant as some people were making out? Read more: <Here> For Teachers: Download a lesson PPT <here>
Have you made your broken your new year resolutions yet? Here are a 'Top 10' from Pope Francis. They were not written as a Top 10 by him but people have put them together from his many inspirational speeches over the last year:
1. Don't gossip. 2. Finish your meals. 3. Make time for others. 4. Choose the 'more humble' purchase. 5. Meet the poor 'in the flesh.' 6. Stop judging others. 7. Befriend those who disagree. 8. Make commitments, such as marriage. 9. Make it a habit to 'ask the Lord.' 10. Be happy.
The Catholic Church has always granted indulgences to reduce the time Catholics will have to spend in purgatory after they have confessed and been absolved of their sins. Now, indulgences are available to followers of Pope Francis' tweets.
However senior Vatican officials were quick to warn Twitter addicted Catholics that indulgences still required a level of faith and commitment to the teachings of the Church.
Catholic World Youth Day begins in Rio de Janeiro on 22nd July and lasts for a week. As many people can't get to Brazil, the Vatican has offered indulgences to those who follow the "rites and pious exercises" of the event on television, radio and through social media too.
It is important to remember that an indulgence would hinge on the beneficiary having been to confession, as well as being "truly penitent and contrite".
As well as Pope Francis using Twitter, the Vatican has launched an online news app, a Facebook page, and it plans to use the online social networking site Pinterest.
"What really counts is that the tweets the Pope sends from Brazil or the photos of the Catholic World Youth Day that go up on Pinterest produce authentic spiritual fruit in the hearts of everyone," said Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli.
Do you follow the Pope? Is this a good way for young people to engage with their Catholic faith? Do you think it is right to grant indulgences for following on Twitter?
Pope Francis has said, “It hurts me when I see a priest or a nun with the latest model car, you can’t do this.”
He went on to say, "A car is necessary to do a lot of work, but please, choose a more humble one. If you like the fancy one, just think about how many children are dying of hunger in the world."
Much has been made of Pope Francis' attitude to the poor and the way in which he is living his life (see previous blog post <here>). He has given up some of the trappings of Office including living in a guest house rather than the opulent papal apartments.
Apparently the Pope's car of choice for moving around the walled Vatican City is a compact Ford Focus. He also borrowed Fiat as a popemobile for his first papal visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa last Monday (see above).
Do you think the Pope is right to challenge the clergy on their materialistic attitudes? Do you think by setting an example he is able to change the thousands of priests around the world? Do you think it is too simplistic to say they should be thinking of the staving children?
On Pentecost Sunday, there was widespread speculation in the media that Pope Francis had performed an exorcism. This has since been denied by the Vatican who said "The Holy Father did not intend to perform any exorcism. Rather, as he frequently does with the sick and the suffering who come his way, he intended simply pray for a suffering person who had been brought before him."
But the questions remains, 'what did happen?' and 'why did people think it was an exorcism?'
In this video, the Telegraph claims:
"Smiling broadly, the Pope initially shook the man's hand, but the South
American pontiff's expression changed dramatically after a priest from the
Legionaries of Christ, a conservative order, leaned in close and spoke a few
words to him.
With a more serious expression on his face, Francis placed both hands on the
man's head for 15 seconds.
The pilgrim, said to be a 43-year old married man from Mexico called Angelo,
then convulsed briefly and emitted a long sigh. His body went limp and his mouth
dropped open."
This, many commentators claim, to be evidence enough that an exorcism took place. This includes high ranking priests and bishops who claim the Vatican are simply trying to play this down.
The Vatican have been quick to make clear:
"Exorcism is, in the strict sense, the “casting out” of evil spirits. The power to exorcise was conferred by Jesus on the apostles, and it is understood that this power passes to the bishops who are the successors to the apostles, and priests the co-workers. That said, the Church has had – for many hundreds of years, it ought to be added – a very precise ritual of exorcism: there are no evangelical-style tent revival theatrics, but careful, even methodical attention and faithful following of the prescribed prayers, gestures and use of sacramental such as holy water and the crucifix."
For many, the key word in Fr Lombardi's explanation of Sunday is 'did not intend to perform', but maybe he did anyway? Do those who are claiming the Vatican simply want to play this down, believe that it brings the wrong kind of attention to the Church? Is it something that makes people feel uncomfortable? Does this simply give critics of religion and the Church an opportunity to trivialise and find scandal in a man's suffering?
This picture has been shared widely on Facebook and Twitter, showing Pope Francis 'Server' (of the poor). It shows Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio kissing the feet of a sick young child in an act of love and solidarity with the poor. However, how poor can the Pope ever be?
Right from the very first moment of being Pope, Francis declined the use of the ermine mozetta (cape) they provided him, he also kept his bishops crucifix rather than a more ornate Papal version. Additionally he ditched the traditional red shoes for the brown loafers he brought from Argentina.
Straight after this he declined the arranged car and jumped on the bus with all the other cardinals.
The next day, he returned to the hotel where he stayed pre-Conclave to bill his bill, as it was the 'right thing to do' and would 'set a good example'.
As people got to know the new Pope, various stories began to emerge from his life in Argentina. Swapping his Bishop's Palace for an ordinary flat, taking the bus and tube rather than a chauffeured limousine, flying economy class and carrying his own lugagge:
The question is, to what extend can a Pope really live in poverty?
At 7.05pm on Wednesday 13th March 2013, the white smoke came out of the chimney (video) on the Sistine Chapel and the bells of St Peters began to ring, "Habemus Papam" (We have a Pope!).
French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran announced the newly elected Pope as Pope Francis on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
Cardinal Bergoglio had made few 'favourites' lists, and was a suprise for many. Here are a few key facts:
Born: 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires
Ordained Priest : 13 December 1969 as a Jesuit.
Ordained Bishop: 20 May 1992 as Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires.
Ordained Archbishop: 3 June 1997 as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Ordained Cardinal: 21 February 2001 by Bl. John Paul II.
He is the FIRST Francis, the FIRST American (North or South), the FIRST Jesuit and the FIRST non-European in over 1000 years!
So what is a Jesuit?
A member of the Society of Jesus, sometimes called colloquially "God's Marines”.
Founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola who had a military background and still today members must show a willingness to accept orders anywhere in the world and live in extreme conditions.
Jesuits are known for their work in education, academic research and for their missionary efforts.
Why Francis?
This may show us three things:
his desire to be a force of unity in a divided Church (Franciscans were seen as ‘rivals to Jesuits)
his heart for the poor
his intent to "repair God's house, which has fallen into ruin"... that is, to rebuild the church.
"Live Simply": His Life As Cardinal
He chose to live in a simple apartment rather than the archbishop's palace.
He gave up his chauffeured limousine in favour of taking the bus to work.
He cooks his own meals.
He flies economy class to Rome.
He's known locally simply as "Fr Jorge.“
He told Argentinians not to travel to Rome to celebrate if he was appointed but to give their money to the poor instead.
Growing Up:
One of the five children of an Italian railway worker and his wife.
Taught literature, psychology and philosophy.
Trained as a chemist.
Had a tough life under the military Junta of Argentina.
Has lived for more than 50 years with one functioning lung. He had the other removed as a young man because of infection.
He speaks fluent Italian, as well as Spanish and German.
Life In the Church:
In 2001 he washed and kissed the feet of Aids patients in a hospice.
Was very close to being elected as Pope in 2005. He was only beaten by Cardinal Ratzinger who went on to be Pope Benedict XVI.
He has co-written a book, in Spanish, called Sobre el Cielo y la Tierra (On Heaven and Earth).
He has criticised priests who refuse to baptise babies born to single mothers.
He believes that condoms "can be permissible" to prevent infection.
Prayer:
The first prayer Pope Francis I lead in the Vatican was the Our Father. A sign of united Christians around the world.
A Prayer from the Missal:
O God, who in your providential design willed that your Church be
built
upon blessed Peter, whom you set over the other Apostles,
look with
favour, we pray, on Francis our Pope
and grant that he, whom you have made
Peter’s successor,
may be for your people a visible source and
foundation
of unity in faith and of communion.
Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy
Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
PowerPoint:
Download the TalkingDonkeyRE from TES or from GoogleDrive
Archbishop Vincent Nichols' reaction:
Fr Paul Keane on Sky News:
Further Reading:
Lots more resources from the truly fantastic Dublin Archdiocese Education site - <here>
Pope Francis' first day as Pope - an inspiring read! - <here>
The above image is NOT a secret photo from inside the Sistine Chapel (however fun that would be!).
There are a lot of words being said and written about the Conclave that will begin tomorrow (12th March 2013). Instead, we're going to look at some pictures and infograms.
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