Pope to Catholic NGOs: Move
forward with courage and hope
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| Pope Francis receives members of Catholic-inspired NGO's in the Vatican (Vatican Media) |
Pope Francis welcomed Papal representatives, representatives
of Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, and members of Catholic-inspired NGOs to the
“See of Peter” on Saturday, as a symbol of their “communion with the universal
Church”.
By Christopher Wells
In receiving participants in the IV Forum of Catholic
Inspired Non-Governmental Organizations, Pope Francis noted that their visit to
the See of Peter is a symbol of their communion with the universal Church.
The Holy Father reminded them that they demonstrate what
Vatican II described as “the presence of the Church in the world”. Quoting from
the pastoral constitution Gaudium
et spes, the Pope said, “Different Catholic international bodies can
assist the community of nations on the way to peace, sisterhood and
brotherhood”.
Strengthening Catholic-inspired organizations
Taking his lead from the Council’s teaching, Pope Francis
went on to address three ways in which Catholic-inspired organizations can be
strengthened: “the formation of members, having the necessary means, and coordinating
initiatives through teamwork”.
With regard to formation, the Pope noted the need for a
consistent witness of life, which calls for both a deep formation in the faith,
and “a suitable professional preparation”, that allows one to address contemporary
concerns from a Christian perspective.
Pope Francis recalled the parable of the talents as he spoke
about the importance of possessing the necessary means to accomplish their
work. Sometimes, he said, those means might prove insufficient – but we should
not become discouraged, “but keep in mind that the Church has always
accomplished great works with limited means”.
Finally, emphasizing the need to coordinate initiatives
through teamwork, Pope Francis said that “cooperating in shared projects makes
the value of our works even more evident”. As a result, he said, the projects
carried out together “will have the expanding effect of the leaven of the
Gospel and the light and power of the earliest Christians”. Today’s world, he
continued, “is calling for new boldness and new imagination in opening new
paths of dialogue and cooperation, in order to promote a ‘culture of
encounter’…”
The Church needs your work
Pope Francis concluded by assuring those present, “The
Church and the Pope need your work, your commitment and your witness at the
frontiers of the international community”. And he encouraged them to “move
forward with courage and ever-renewed hope”.
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