for useful and dignified employment, combined with a reduction in social
security, are causing a disturbing rise in inequality and poverty in different
countries. Clearly there is a need to create new models of doing business
which,
while promoting the development of advanced technologies, are also capable of
using them to create dignified work for all, to uphold and consolidate social
rights, and to protect the environment. Man must guide technological
development, without letting himself be dominated by it".
"To all of you I appeal once more: 'Do not forget the poor!' This is the
primary challenge before you as leaders in the business world. Those who have
the means to enjoy a decent life, rather than being concerned with privileges,
must seek to help those poorer than themselves to attain dignified living
conditions, particularly through the development of their human, cultural,
economic and social potential. We must never allow the culture of prosperity to
deaden us, to make us incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry of the
poor,
weeping for other people's pain, and sensing the need to help them, as though
all this were someone else's responsibility and not our own. Weeping for other
people's pain does not only mean sharing in their sufferings, but also and
above
all realising that our own actions are a cause of injustice and inequality. Let
us open our eyes, then, and see the misery of the world, the wounds of our
brothers and sisters who are denied their dignity, and let us recognise that we
are compelled to heed their cry for help. May we reach out to them and support
them so they can feel the warmth of our presence, our friendship, and our
fraternity. May their cry become our own, and together may we break down the
barriers of indifference that too often reign supreme and mask our hypocrisy
and
egoism".
Once we realise this, he continues, "we become more fully human, since
responsibility for our brothers and sisters is an essential part of our common
humanity. Do not be afraid to open your minds and hearts to the poor. In this
way, you will give free rein to your economic and technical talents, and
discover the happiness of a full life, which consumerism of itself cannot
provide. In the face of profound and epochal changes, world leaders are
challenged to ensure that the coming 'fourth industrial revolution', the result
of robotics and scientific and technological innovations, does not lead to the
destruction of the human person - to be replaced by a soulless machine - or to
the transformation of our planet into an empty garden for the enjoyment of a
chosen few. On the contrary, the present moment offers a precious opportunity
to
guide and govern the processes now under way, and to build inclusive societies
based on respect for human dignity, tolerance, compassion and mercy. I urge
you,
then, to take up anew your conversation on how to build the future of the
planet, 'our common home', and I ask you to make a united effort to pursue a
sustainable and integral development".
"As I have often said, and now willingly reiterate, business is a noble
vocation, directed to producing wealth and improving our world, especially if
it
sees the creation of jobs as an essential part of its service to the common
good. As such, it has a responsibility to help overcome the complex crisis of
society and the environment, and to fight poverty. This will make it possible
to
improve the precarious living conditions of millions of people and bridge the
social gap which gives rise to numerous injustices and erodes fundamental
values
of society, including equality, justice and solidarity".
"In this way, through the preferred means of dialogue, the World Economic
Forum
can become a platform for the defence and protection of creation and for the
achievement of a progress which is healthier, more human, more social, more
integral with due regard also for environmental goals and the need to maximise
efforts to eradicate poverty as set forth in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and in the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change".
___________________________________________________________
The Year of Consecrated Life comes to an end
Vatican City, 21 January 2016 (VIS) - The Congregation for the Institutes of
Consecrated Lfie and the Societies of Apostolic Life (CIVCSVA) has announced
the
events relating to the conclusion of the Year of Consecrated Life, to be held
from 28 January to 2 February in Rome, which are expected to be attended by
more
than four thousand consecrated persons from all over the world.
On the theme "Consecrated life in communion. The common foundation in the
variety of forms", on these days there will be meetings, prayer vigils, times
for regrouping and examining in greater depth the specifics of each form,
looking prophetically towards the future".
The aims of the meeting are to get to know better the great mosaic of
consecrated life, to live communion rediscovering the single call uniting the
variety of forms (Ordo Virginum, monastic life, apostolic institutes, secular
institutes, new institutes and new forms of consecrated life), starting out
together on the path of the great Jubilee of Mercy that once more gives all
consecrated persons the specific mandate of their vocation: to be guided by the
Father's mercy, witnesses and builders of an authentically lived fraternity.
The first event will take place on 28 January: a vigil in St. Peter's
Basilica,
presided by Archbishop Jose Rodriguez Carballo, secretary of the CIVCSVA, and
in
which Cardinal Joao Braz De Aviz, prefect of the Congregation, will
participate.
On 29 January, all consecrated persons will gather in the Paul VI Hall, while
on
30 and 31 January, in five locations in Rome, representatives of each form of
consecrated life will meet to explore in greater depth various specific aspects
of their vocation. They will subsequently meet in the Paul VI Hall again on 1
February, for an audience with the Holy Father and the Oratory "On the trail of
beauty", directed by Msgr. Marco Frisina.
The events will end on 2 February with the morning Jubilee pilgrimage and the
Eucharistic celebration for the twentieth World Day of Consecreted Life,
celebrated by Pope Francis.
___________________________________________________________
Cardinal Maung Bo, papal legate at the International Eucharistic Conference of
the Philippines
Vatican City, 21 January 2016 (VIS) - In a letter published today, written in
Latin and dated 18 November, the Holy Father appoints Cardinal Charles Maung
Bo,
S.D.B., archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar, as papal legate at the 51st National
Eucharistic Congress of the Philippines, to be held in Cebu from 24 to 31
January 2016.
The mission accompanying the cardinal will be composed of Fr. Dominic Bar Bu,
special secretary for the papal delegation, and Fr. Marvin Mejia, general
secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.
___________________________________________________________
Audiences
Vatican City, 21 January 2016 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father received in
audience:
- Archbishop Eliseo Antonio Ariotti, apostolic nuncio in Paraguay;
- Robert Compaore, ambassador of Burkina Faso, presenting his credential
letters;
- Bishop Ruben Oscar Frassia of Avellaneda-Lanus, Argentina;
- Friars from the Abbey of the Tre Fontane in Rome, with the lambs that will
be
blessed on the feast of St. Agnes, and whose wool will be used to weave the
pallium the Holy Father will impose upon the metropolitan archbishops on 29
June, solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.
___________________________________________________________
Other Pontifical Acts
Vatican City, 21 January 2016 (VIS) - The Holy Father has appointed:
- Rev. Can. Marco Brunetti as bishop of Alba (area 1,050, population 157,526,
Catholics 142,526, priests 137, permanent deacons 10, religious 293), Italy.
The
bishop-elect was born in Turin, Italy in 1962 and ordained a priest in 1987. He
holds a licentiate in theology and health pastoral ministry, and has served as
parish priest, member of the Presbyterium and of the national council for
health
pastoral ministry.
- Msgr. Giuseppe Russo, Italy, as under-secretary of the Administration of the
Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA).
___________________________________________________________
For more information and to search for documents refer to the site:
www.visnews.org and www.vatican.va
Copyright (VIS): the news contained in the services of the Vatican
Information Service may be reproduced wholly or partially by quoting
the source: V. I. S. - Vatican Information Service.
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/vis/vis_en.html
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* Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS=Huntsville AL=bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)
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