May the Truth of Christ’s Gospel Be Known and Lived

This year's meditations during the Lenten spiritual retreat of the Holy Father and the Roman Curia are being guided by Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, who is focusing on the theme of "the communion of Christians with God". Beginning with the sign of the cross, the cardinal has been reflecting upon God as light, truth, mercy and loving guide, before turning to consider love of the world, lack of faith in Christ and sin.

The sign of the cross is much more than a habit, it is an "act whereby we add the splendour of knowledge and the dynamism of freedom to our every action". It is a sign which means "sacrifice for love. It is death for resurrection". Therefore, it implies the rejection of vanity, prestige, possession and domination, and the consecration of our activity to Christ.

 

"We must walk in the light", the cardinal said. "In other words, we must choose to abandon sin" and let the Truth transform our lives via a journey of conversion. Understanding God as truth is particularly important for people "who have no awareness of their own sins, for people who have lost the sense of sin because they no longer pose themselves the problem of God", and for people who do no longer possess moral criteria and confuse good and evil. This tendency is related to "religious indifference which affirms that all religions are alike but which, in reality, is seeking a lax morality".

"To live in truth", the cardinal said, "is is to live according to the Beatitudes. It means repudiating the lies of our words and actions. It means rejecting the hypocrisy which impels us to appear other than as we are". The Church too must combat lies and deceit, both within herself and in the world, and struggle "so that the truth of Christ's Gospel may be known and lived".

 

For more information please visit:

http://www.news.va/en/news/the-church-must-combat-lies-and-deceit-in-herself-

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Religious Freedom

The Holy See Delegation has addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on the subject of religious freedom. Archbishop Silvano M.Tomasi said in many countries “the gap is growing between widely accepted stated principles, and their daily application on the ground.” He pointed out “rising restrictions on religion affect more than 2.2 billion people.” 

Archbishop Tomasi also told the Council “religions are not a threat, but a resource. They contribute to the development of civilizations, and this is good for everyone.”

 

“The implementation of human rights is a difficult challenge today, particularly with regard to the fundamental and inalienable right of every person to “freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief.” Among other elements, the evolving political situation, wrong perceptions of the role of religion, expediency, and subtle ambiguities in the understanding of secularism lead to intolerance and even outright persecution of people because of their faith or religion. The freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance, which is guaranteed by human rights law and international instruments, is disregarded in several places in the world. Such stifling policies and practices place at risk the contribution of many citizens to social life and progress in their respective countries.”

 

“Religions are not a threat, but a resource. They contribute to the development of civilizations, and this is good for everyone. Their activities and freedom should be protected so that the partnership between religious beliefs and societies may enhance the common good.”

For the complete Statement by His Excellency Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi,
Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, at the 19^th Session of the Human Rights Council – High Level Segment, on March 1, 2012, please visit:

http://www.news.va/en/news/holy-see-rising-restrictions-on-religion-affect-mo

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