Path to peace lies in truth and charity

It discusses the contribution of scientists to peace, with a keynote speech by the vicechancellor of the Academy, Monsignor Dario Edoardo Viganò.

Being men and women of science is a form of charity

Indeed, “being men and women of science is a vocation and, at the same time, a mission, a specific form of charity: an intellectual one,” Pope Francis said in his message addressed to the Bishop of Teramo-Atri Lorenzo Leuzzi.

Let the Little Children Alone

Whatever our background, we will have had some issue or another that has affected us in upbringing. In most cases, our parents did their very best to negotiate their own worries and fears and to bring us up as best they were able. This something we were probably not fully able to understand until adults ourselves with children of our own, or maybe with further knowledge of the experiences that our parents had lived through. Our children today are suffering in a new way.

Pope Francis sends a message to the Second International "Science for Peace" Meeting in the Italian Diocese of Teramo-Atri, and recalls that the search for truth in charity is the foundation for the construction of a peaceful society.

“The path to peace lies in truth and charity,” Pope Francis said in a written message sent Friday to participants in the Second International Meeting entitled: "Science for Peace - New Disciples of Knowledge: the Scientific Method in the Changing Era” held in the Central Italian city of Teramo.

“Enlightened search for truth in charity will lay ever more solid foundations for the construction of a peaceful society because it is harmoniously ordered towards its end, with respect for the person and in grateful correspondence to the gifts of God”, the Pope told participants in the meeting.

The event is organized on 30 June-1July by the Diocese of Teramo-Atri, in collaboration with the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, on the occasion of the 9th centenary of the death of the Patron Saint Berard.

The Pope recalled the words of Blessed Antonio Rosmini, the 19th-century Italian Catholic priest and intellectual, who affirmed that “truth and charity are linked by a fundamental bond”.

“The search for and study of truth are an essential part of an authentic service of charity and, at the itself, charity lived and exercised leads man to an ever fuller knowledge of the truth.”

Thinking big in changing times

However, the Pope noted, in the face of the “change of epoch” the world is currently experiencing, intellectual charity cannot be confined within the enclosures of research centers or reserved only to "insiders", but must animate and support the construction of a renewed proximity, as indicated in the encyclical Fratelli tutti.

“It is therefore urgent," he stressed, "that those involved in scientific investigation discover the historical responsibility of their commitment in the various fields of knowledge, overcoming the temptation to isolate themselves in particular spheres, to promote a new culture of knowledge.”

Dear Grandparents

lisboa2023.org

His mercy is from age to age" (cf. Luke 1:50): this was the theme of the 3rd World Day for Grandparents and Elderly, celebrated on July 23, 2023. This theme takes us back to a blessed encounter: the meeting between young Mary and her elderly relative Elizabeth (cf. Luke 1:39-56). The latter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed the Mother of God with words which, two millennia later, set the tone of our daily prayer: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Luke 1:42). And the Holy Spirit, who had already descended upon Mary, prompts her to respond with the Magnificat, where she proclaims that the Lord's mercy extends from generation to generation.

This year's celebration of World Day for Grandparents and Elderly and World Youth Day are remarkably close to each other. Each theme reflects Mary's "haste" (cf. Luke 1:39) when she visits Elizabeth, thus leading us to meditate on the connection between young and old. The Lord hopes that when young people meet the elderly, they will welcome the call to cherish memories and recognize the gift of belonging to a greater history thanks to them. The friendship of an elderly person helps young people not to limit their lives to the present and to remember that not everything depends on their abilities. For older people, the presence of a young person opens them up to hope that all they have experienced will not be lost and that their dreams will come true.

Citing the words of St. Paul VI when he started his mission as Archbisop of Milan in 1954, Pope Francis said that “intellectual charity must inspire 'to think big".'

Search for truth in charity a solid foundation for building peace

Concluding his message, the Pope renewed the call which Pope Paul VI addressed to scientists and intellectuals in 1965 at the close of the Second Vatican Council.

Pope Francis urged them to "continue to seek, without tiring, without ever despairing of the truth” as called for by St. Augustine, insisting that “an enlightened search for truth in charity” will lay an “ever more solid foundations for the construction of a peaceful society.”

Monsignor Viganò's address

In his key note address on Friday morning, Monsignor Viganò focused on the challenges and serious risks for humanity associated with the the latest technical-scientific developments: the Anthropocene (a term now used to indicate a new geological era marked by the impact of human activity on the Earth's ecosystems, including, anthropogenic climate and loss of biodiversity) and the rapid development of artificial intelligence. (AI).

By Lisa Zengarini

It is greatly confusing to children, particularly of a very delicate and impressionable age, to be subjected to some issues, seen by adults as important.

Two fathers approached us recently, each having seven year old daughters in secular schools. Both men hardworking tradesmen, neither churchgoers, though respectful of faith. Neither from the same county. The first had been horrified that his daughter had been addressed by a guest gay couple in class, apparently regarding gender choice. The second father was furious to find that his daughter, in another school, had been in a class addressed by a lesbian couple. Both children came home both deeply confused and very disturbed.

Tolerance and love are essential Christian values. Yet can we recognise a fickle line between necessary education and love and that of possibly enabling grooming for a cause?

It is time for parents, particularly of small children, to ask questions as to what is being taught, when and how.

Christ said “Obstacles are sure to come, but alas for the one who provides them!” Are we being watchful as Christ asked? (Luke 17: 1-3) “Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

(Matthew 19:13-15) www.crownofthorns.org.uk email: office@crownofthorns.org.uk

Crown of Thorns Mission of Hope

In 2021, when the Pope announced the celebration of World Day for Grandparents and Elderly, a group of grandparents came together to strengthen their connection with their grandchildren and created the "Dear Grandparents" project.

The aim of the 'Dear Grandparents' project is to create a strong chain of prayer for World Youth Day, especially for the leaders and their mission in this great world meeting. To find out how you can be involved with adding your prayers to the chain, visit lisboa2023.org/en/wydgrandparents

Promoting the Holy Rosary in the U.K. & throughout the world to bring hope, comfort and peace to the marginalised, the oppressed and the imprisoned, enabling wounded hearts to find healing and shattered lives to find breath and space to renew.

Supporting priests and chaplains in their ministry, outreach and welfare.

Response from parish priests: “The rosary cards that you sent me have had a tremendous effect on the devotion and prayer life of the parish.” www.crownofthorns.org.uk email: office@crownofthorns.org.uk

Phone: 01342 870472

Registered charity no: 1042751