Pope: Vatican legislative reforms
are part of the mission of the Church
 |
| Opening of the 91 Judicial year of the tribunal of Vatican City State (Vatican Media) |
Pope Francis speaks at the opening of the judicial year of
the Tribunal of the Vatican City State, expressing his confidence in the work
of the judicial authorities, and noting that recent financial investigations
were prompted by reports originating within the Vatican itself.
By Vatican News
Pope Francis on Saturday addressed members of the Tribunal
of the Vatican City State and other officials concerned with the administration
of justice and the protection of law and order.
Justice begins with personal conversion
The Holy Father offered two main points of reflection in his
address. First, he spoke about the Gospel, which teaches us “that the justice
proposed by Jesus is not a simple set of rules applied technically, but a
disposition of the heart that guides those who have responsibility”. He
emphasized that justice must begin within each one, with “our own personal
conversion”. This, he said, “is the only justice that generates justice!”
Pope Francis noted, too, that justice must be accompanied by
other virtues, especially the other cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance,
and fortitude. He said that judges especially must find answers that combine
justice with the higher virtue of mercy – which “is not the suspension of
justice but its fulfilment”. He also encouraged them to continue in their
commitment “to understand the causes of error, and the fragility of those who
have broken the law”.
Reforms an integral part of Church's ministry
The Pope’s second main point of reflection dealt with “the
laws that regulate interpersonal relationships” and “the ethical values” that
provide the context for those laws.
He noted the reforms that have brought significant changes
to Vatican legislation, motivated by a need for modernization, “but also and
above all the need to respect international commitments the Holy See has
undertaken on behalf of the Vatican state”. These commitments, the Pope said,
deal primarily with the protection of human persons and social
groups. “The main purpose of these reforms”, he continued, “must therefore
be inserted within the Church’s mission; indeed, it is an integral and
essential part of her ministerial activity”.
Effectiveness and efficiency of enforcement
The recent reforms have brought to light “suspicious
financial situations”, he said, which are still under investigation. But he
highlighted the fact that the first reports of irregularities came from within
the Vatican itself, demonstrating “the effectiveness and efficiency of law
enforcement actions, as required by international standards”.
In particular, Pope Francis noted that the Corps of
Gendarmerie of Vatican City “has also distinguished itself for its
investigative activity in support of the Office of the Promoter of Justice”.
While praising the work of reform, Pope Francis recognized
that all efforts at reform remain dependent on people. “We need, therefore, a
particular attitude on the part of the operators, not only intellectually, but
also morally and deontologically”, he said. “In this sense, the promotion of
justice requires the contribution of the right people”.
Awaiting Divine Justice
Pope Francis concluded his address by reminding those
present of the words of Jesus in the Gospel: “By the measure with which you
judge, you will be judged”. The Gospel, he said, “reminds us that our attempts
at earthly justice always have as their ultimate horizon the encounter with
divine justice, that of the Lord which we await. These words should not
frighten us, but only encourage us to carry out our duty with seriousness and
humility”.
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