Pope encourages promotion of
peace in universities
 |
| Pontifical Lateran University, Rome. |
In a letter to the Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical
Lateran University, for the inauguration of the new academic year, Pope Francis
emphasises the importance of following a curriculum that promotes peace in the
world.
By Francesca Merlo
The heart of Pope Francis’ message to Cardinal de Donatis,
Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, for the
inauguration of the start of the new academic year is that students and all
staff must feel “involved in planting the seeds of peace.” The Pope explains
that this “begins with listening, professionalism and dedication” which he says
must always be “accompanied by humbleness, meekness and the desire to be all
things to all.”
Education for peace
In current times, the Pope says, there is an ever-growing
need to prevent and resolve conflicts. “The Church, in the light of the Gospel,
feels called to inspire and support each initiative that ensures…a journey of
peace.”
To do this, the Pope continues, there is a need for “an
educational effort to listen and understand”, but also for “knowledge and
studies of the assets of value” and “of the instruments capable of demolishing
tendencies towards isolation, closure and power that brings violence and
destruction”.
Searching for solutions
In quoting Evangelii gaudium, Pope Francis goes on to
explain that it is not only the Church who is called to favour “finding
solutions to problems affecting peace, social harmony, the land, the defence of
life, human and civil rights, and so forth.” The university world also has an
important role in the pursuit of this objective, says the Pope. He describes
university as “a place that symbolises the integral humanity that needs to be
constantly renewed and enriched”. This, the Pope explains, helps produce the
brave renewed culture that the current time asks for.”
However, the Pope continues, “This does not mean altering
the sense of the institution and the traditions consolidated in our academic
realities”, but rather “steering its function in the outlook of a more
missionary Church”. He stresses that this must be done “first and foremost by
addressing the younger generations”.
A dream of peace
Therefore, says the Pope, this is the task with which we are
entrusted: “incarnate the Word of God for the Church and for the humanity of
the Third Millennium.” All this, says the Pope “without being afraid of risking
and dreaming of peace for all people and for all nations”.
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