Overcome
indifference and win peace: 2016 Peace Day Message
(Vatican
Radio) Pope Francis on Tuesday issued his message for the World Day of Peace, 1
Jan 2016. The theme of the Message is: “Overcome indifference and win peace.”
In
the message, dated 8 Dec 2015, the Pope acknowledged the various forms of war,
terrorism, and persecution present in today’s world, but said there is reason
to hope. He cited several events over the course of the year 2015, including
the various initiatives confronting climate change, the 50th anniversary of the
Second Vatican Council, and the Jubilee of Mercy.
Referencing
the theme of the message, the Holy Father then highlighted various forms of
indifference in society. First, there is indifference to God, which in turn
leads to indifference to one’s neighbour and subsequently to the environment.
Pope
Francis also addressed what he referred to as an “indifference to mercy,” as seen
with the Genesis account of Cain murdering his brother Abel. In contrast, God
intervenes, the message reads: “He sees, hears, comes down, and delivers. God
does not remain indifferent. He is attentive and He acts.”
“Mercy
is the heart of God,” the Pope writes, and therefore must be the heart of all
His children.
Pope
Francis said we are called to “compassion, love, mercy and solidarity” in our
relationships with one another. He added that “the conversion of our hearts” is
needed for us to become “open to others in authentic solidarity.” The Pope
called for the building of a culture of solidarity and mercy in order to
overcome indifference.
This
begins with families, which are the “first place where the values of love,
fraternity, togetherness and sharing, concern and care for others are lived out
and handed on.” He spoke also of the role of teachers, and communicators. The
Pope added that communicators in particular should be “mindful” of how they
obtain and disseminate information, saying their methods should always be
“legally and morally admissible.”
Pope
Francis went on to say that peace is the fruit of a culture of solidarity,
mercy, and compassion.
It
is also a sign of the Jubilee of Mercy, which began 8 Dec, in which all are
called to recognize indifference, and “improve the world around us.”
The
Holy Father said these efforts begin with our families, neighbours, and places
of employment. They extend to civil society’s care for vulnerable persons, such
as “prisoners, migrants, the unemployed, and the infirm.”
On
the subject of migrants, the Pope asked that legislation on migration be
reviewed, in a way that facilitates their integration into society, with
special attention given to legal residency in order to avoid criminal
behaviour.
Pope
Francis appealed to national leaders to offer assistance to men and women
suffering from lack of work, land, and lodging.
The
Pope concluded by entrusting the reflections contained in the message to the
Blessed Virgin Mary.
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