Brian R Corbin's Reflections on Religion and Life

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May 4, 2008 • 7:57 pm 0

Media Council Note Leads Up to World Communications Day

Prelate: Truth-Seeking Is Path to Communion

VATICAN CITY, MAY 2, 2008 ( Zenit.org ).- The president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications is reiterating Benedict XVI’s call for an “info-ethics.”

Archbishop Claudio Celli made this invitation in a commentary distributed by the pontifical council on the Pope’s message for World Communications Day.

The world day will be celebrated this Sunday.

The Holy Father’s message notes that there are many people who now see a need for info-ethics, similar to bioethics in the field of medicine and scientific investigation.

According to Archbishop Celli, Benedict XVI’s words “put us on the alert even more because social communications are profoundly linked to man, and therefore, they invite us to zealously defend the human person in every respect and in everything that man is and is called to be.”

“They are certainly words that encourage us. If the media is a challenge, it is before all else a challenge for human intelligence,” he said. “And the Church is not afraid of intelligence or of reason.”

If fact, Archbishop Celli, contended, “it can be affirmed that one who helps man to know himself and seek the truth encounters Christ.”

Fundamentally positive

The archbishop said the passage from John’s Gospel, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free,” is “a guide and help for facing the challenge that society directs today to communications media, to its operators and its receptors: the search for truth — which is possible to find — it is the path for communion between persons and peoples.”

Together with the commentary, the Pontifical Council for Social Communications distributed a “Brief Questionnaire on Info-Ethics.”

The statement’s seven questions and answers — which organize excerpts from previous documents — give a look at how the Church views the communications media and the role the Church should have in this field. It also looks at the growing use of the Internet and why there is a need for info-ethics.

“The Church’s approach to the means of social communication is fundamentally positive, encouraging,” the questionnaire affirms. “She does not simply stand in judgment and condemn; rather, she considers these instruments to be not only products of human genius but also great gifts of God and true signs of the times.”

However, the questionnaire continues, citing the Second Vatican Council, “If the media are to be correctly employed, it is essential that all who use them know the principles of the moral order and apply them faithfully in this domain.”

“A community, aware of the influence of the media, should learn to use them for personal and community growth, with the evangelical clarity and inner freedom of those who have learned to know Christ,” the questionnaire affirms.

It adds: “Like education in general, media education requires formation in the exercise of freedom. This is a demanding task. So often freedom is presented as a relentless search for pleasure or new experiences. Yet this is a condemnation not a liberation!

“True freedom could never condemn the individual — especially a child — to an insatiable quest for novelty. In the light of truth, authentic freedom is experienced as a definitive response to God’s ‘yes’ to humanity, calling us to choose, not indiscriminately but deliberately, all that is good, true and beautiful.”

— — —

On the Net:

Benedict XVI’s message: www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20080124_42nd-world-communications-day_en.html

Brief Questionnaire on Info-Ethics: www.pccs.it/Documenti/HTML/Eng/GMCS/sussidi/42_gmcs_info_eng.pdf

Filed under: Papal Teachings, Social Doctrine, Social Justice

May 4, 2008 • 7:55 pm 0

Globalizing the Common Good

Social Sciences Academy Considers Subsidiarity, Solidarity

VATICAN CITY, MAY 2, 2008 ( Zenit.org ).- The Vatican is considering how the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity can work together in a globalized pursuit of the common good.

Today in the Vatican press office, the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences presented its plenary session on “Pursuing the Common Good: How Solidarity and Subsidiarity Can Work Together.” The meeting began today and continues through Tuesday.

Participating in the press conference were Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences; Margaret Archer of the University of Warwick, England; and Pierpaolo Donati of the University of Bologna, Italy.

The goal of the assembly, explained an English-language note released for the press conference, “is to give new meaning and application to the concept of common good in this age of globalization, which in certain fields is leading to growing inequalities and social injustice, laceration and fragmentation of the social fabric, in short, to the destruction of common goods throughout the world.”

The note continued: “The main hypothesis on which scholars are called to exchange their views is that the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity can, unlike the compromises between socialism and liberalism, mobilize new social, economic and cultural forces of civil society which, within politically shared fundamental values, can generate those common goods on which the future of humanity depends.”

4 principles

During the plenary session, participants will study current radical changes in light of four fundamental principles of Catholic social doctrine: the dignity of the human person, common good, solidarity and subsidiarity.

With this study, they seek “to understand how and in what measure these principles are effectively applied, and to suggest new solutions where they are misconstrued, misunderstood, disobeyed or distorted.”

With this in mind, the pontifical academy plans to examine case studies where the interweaving of these principles has been successful.

The note mentions cases such as the “economy of communion” and the “Food Bank”; shared access to information goods on communication networks, specifically the Internet; subsidiary educational activities in developing countries; and third-sector organizations using the instrument of microcredit for social, economic and human development.

The note concluded by underlining how “the fundamental challenge” facing the assembly is that “once we acknowledge that the great deficit of modernity, which is nevertheless responsible for many social conquests, has been and still is social solidarity — at all levels, from local to global — it is a matter of seeing whether and how this deficit can be overcome by a new way of intending and practicing subsidiarity as a proactive, promotional principle, not only as a defensive, protective one.”

“In short,” the pontifical academy said, “the challenge is for a new combination of subsidiarity and solidarity to become the key to activate those social circuits on which common goods depend, the key to turn globalization into a ‘civilization of the common good.'”

Filed under: Social Doctrine, Social Justice

April 28, 2008 • 2:01 pm 0

Human-Centered Development: Vatican Secretary of State

Holy See Calls for Human-Centered Development
Offers Analysis of Trade Situation

ACCRA, Ghana, APRIL 25, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The principles of solidarity and subsidiarity are the key to designing international rules and institutions that sustain development, the Holy See is proposing.

This idea was affirmed in a note for discussion sent by the Vatican Secretariat of State as part of the preparations of the 12th U.N. Conference on Trade and Development in Accra, which ended today.

The Holy See paper mentioned a “crisis of multilateralism,” noting in particular two criticisms of international organizations.

“The first is the problem of representation, according to which the decision making power within these institutions is not allocated in an equitable way,” it said. “The second criticism refers to the lack of grassroots involvement of the society in development-oriented initiatives undertaken by multilateral institutions. Such an approach presents the risk of formulating policy strategy that is not centered on the poor but rather on governments of poor countries.”

After an analysis of the problems involved in trade and development, the Holy See took a look at “what can be done.”

Human-centered
The first proposal was recalling what the paper called the “true objective,” that is, development centered on the human being.

The true goal is development, the Holy See proposed, and “trade represents a significant opportunity for developing countries. However, it is not an end itself but rather is a means to achieve development and poverty reduction.”

Next, the paper advised “a change in perspective”: The goal of development, it said, is the common good.

The Holy See explained: “It must be clear that development is not only about the growth of the economy in general; it is about the development of the human being with his/her capabilities and relationships with intermediary social groups — family, social, political, cultural groups etc. — within which he/she lives.

“This requires a change in perspective that recognizes peoples as united by a common factor, their humanity being created with the imprint of the common God creator. Only by starting from this premise can we aim, within pluralist institutions, toward the achievement of the common good, which needs to be the primary objective of any society.

“The common good is neither an abstract goal nor a simple list of targets. It is simply the realization of the primary needs of the person: the need of truth, love, and justice.”

In progress
The Secretariat of State further proposed that man is “always in development.”

“In fact, development is not a target to reach; it is rather a path to follow,” it said. “We can say that there is true development when persons are put in a position to follow their most important desires and needs.”

The paper then offered two principles to sustain and not hamper the different paths for development: solidarity and subsidiarity.

“Solidarity is the responsibility of developed nations to favor economic growth […] by helping less fortunate individuals to create their opportunities for development,” it said. “Solidarity should be the guiding principle, not only in the definition of foreign aid, but also in the economic relationship between developed and developing countries and within regional or multilateral agreements.”

But, the paper continued, “while solidarity should be the spark that generates the definition of development-oriented policies both at national and at international level, subsidiarity should be the guiding principle in their design and implementation.”

It explained: “Subsidiarity not only preserves and promotes originality in the development of social life, but also implies an act of freedom by individuals who try to follow their vocations. […] Participation is a duty to be fulfilled consciously by all, with responsibility and with a view to the common good.

“In other words, at international level, solidarity and subsidiarity imply a double responsibility: by developed countries in helping [least developed countries] to find their path for development and by least developed countries in implementing all the necessary policies that would allow them to take the opportunities that are offered.”

5 Keys

If development it centered on the human person, the Holy See concluded, there are some key issues to be taken into account. The paper mentioned five.

The first is education, “the essence of development. Only an educated person can be fully aware of the worth and dignity of the human being. Then educated people can more easily establish among themselves social relations not based on force and abuse, but on respect and friendship. In such an environment, it is easier to reduce corruption and to develop virtuous institutions that help to achieve the common good.”

Health and decent work were also included.

The Holy See said that economic freedom is key: “Without the institutional setting that provides a stable economic environment where the rule of law is enforced and property rights are respected, economic development inevitably is repressed.”
Finally, the paper proposed the importance of entrepreneurship, calling it the first step toward economic development.

“The task faced by international institutions in sustaining the development of poor countries is enormous,” the Holy See concluded. “The first decisive step toward achieving this goal is to implement policies that recognize and place the value of the human person at their center.”

Filed under: Social Doctrine

April 22, 2008 • 3:44 pm 0

Speech by Archbishop Migliore at UN on Urbanization

FACING THE CONSEQUENCES OF RAPID URBANISATION

VATICAN CITY, 22 APR 2008 (VIS) – Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations in New York, delivered an address on 9 April before the 41st session of the Economic and Social Council’s Commission on Population and Development.
Speaking English, Archbishop Migliore said that “migration and the urbanisation of societies should not be purely measured in terms of their economic impact. In finding ways to address the serious challenges posed by massive internal and trans-national migrations, let us not forget that at the heart of this phenomenon is the human person”.

“New environmental, social and economic problems emerge with the birth of mega cities”, he said. “But one of the most pressing and painful consequences of rapid urbanisation is the increasing number of people living in urban slums. As recently as 2005 over 840 million people around the world lived in such conditions”.

Such people, he warned, “become trapped in a vicious cycle of extreme poverty and marginalisation. … They feel powerless to demand even the most basic public services” and “policy makers and civil society actors must put these people and their concerns among the priorities in their decision-making”.

“If”, Archbishop Migliore concluded “we are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, greater concern must be given to those communities, in which approximately 675 million still lack access to safe drinking water and two billion live without access to basic sanitation. National and international policies would do well to ensure that rural communities have access to higher quality and more accessible social services”.
DELSS/URBANISATION DEVELOPMENT/UN:MIGLIORE VIS 080422 (270)

Filed under: Migration, Social Doctrine

April 10, 2008 • 9:22 pm 0

Holy See: Urbanized World Brings New ChallengesHuman Person, Not Money, at Heart of Phenomenon, Says AideNEW YORK, APRIL 10, 2008 ( Zenit.org ).-

As the world’s cities, for the first time in history, boast more inhabitants than the globe’s rural areas, the Holy See’s permanent observer to the United Nations says that the needs of urban migrants need to be met.Archbishop Celestino Migliore affirmed this Wednesday at the Economic and Social Council’s 41st session of the Commission on Population and Development. The topic at hand was world population monitoring, focusing on population distribution, urbanization, internal migration and development.The archbishop noted the session’s timing “at this historic juncture when, for the first time in history, the number of urban inhabitants will surpass the number of people living in rural areas.””This session therefore calls on us to reflect on this phenomenon and take stock of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead,” he said.

The prelate affirmed that the urbanization of populations provides new opportunities for economic growth: “With access to higher wages and better social services such as education, health, transportation, communications, safe water supplies and sanitation, migrants from rural to urban settings are more likely to advance their personal and social development.”Still, the Holy See representative urged, “We must place the needs and concerns of peoples first.”

Archbishop Migliore cautioned against a reversal in priorities.”Placing the human person at the service of economic or environmental considerations creates the inhuman effect of treating people as objects rather than subjects,” he said. “Migration and the urbanization of societies should not be purely measured in terms of their economic impact. In finding ways to address the serious challenges posed by massive internal and transnational migrations, let us not forget that at the heart of this phenomenon is the human person. “Thus we must also address the reasons why people move, the sacrifices they make, the anguish and the hopes that accompany migrants. Migration often places great strain on migrants, as they leave behind families and friends, sociocultural and spiritual networks.”

Slums
Archbishop Migliore cited the secretary-genera’s report in noting the many challenges that also come with urbanization.”Indeed,” he said, “new environmental, social and economic problems emerge with the birth of mega cities. But one of the most pressing and painful consequences of rapid urbanization is the increasing number of people living in urban slums. As recently as 2005, over 840 million people around the world lived in such conditions. Lacking in almost everything, these individuals can lose their sense of self-worth and inherent dignity.”The archbishop noted some of the problems faced by slum-dwellers, “trapped in a vicious cycle of extreme poverty and marginalization.””They squat on state or other people’s properties. They feel powerless to demand even the most basic public services. Children are not in schools, but in waste dumpsites eking out a living from scavenging. Policy makers and civil society actors must put these people and their concerns among the priorities in their decision-making.”

Archbishop Migliore also contended that residents of rural areas not be forgotten. “If we are to achieve the [millennium development goals] by 2015, greater concern must be given to those communities, in which approximately 675 million still lack access to safe drinking water and 2 billion live without access to basic sanitation. National and international policies would do well to ensure that rural communities have access to higher quality and more accessible social services.”He concluded by affirming the Holy See’s commitment to “addressing the concerns of all migrants and to finding ways to collaborate with all, in order to ensure a proper balance between the just concerns of state and those of individual human beings.””Helping migrants meet their basic needs does not only aid their transition and help keep families together,” the prelate stated. “It is also a positive way to encourage them to become productive, responsible, law-abiding and contributors to the common good of the society.”

Holy See on Urban Growth”Problems Emerge With the Birth of Mega Cities”NEW YORK, APRIL 10, 2008 ( Zenit.org ).-
Here is the address given Wednesday by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Holy See’s permanent observer to the United Nations, at the Economic and Social Council’s 41st session of the Commission on Population and Development.

The meeting discussed world population monitoring, focusing on population distribution, urbanization, internal migration and development.* * *

Mr. Chairman, This session of the Commission on Population and Development comes at this historic juncture when, for the first time in history, the number of urban inhabitants will surpass the number of people living in rural areas. This session therefore calls on us to reflect on this phenomenon and take stock of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.The urbanization of world populations provides new opportunities for economic growth. With access to higher wages and better social services such as education, health, transportation, communications, safe water supplies and sanitation, migrants from rural to urban settings are more likely to advance their personal and social development.When addressing the issues of migration and development, we must place the needs and concerns of peoples first. Placing the human person at the service of economic or environmental considerations creates the inhuman effect of treating people as objects rather than subjects. Migration and the urbanization of societies should not be purely measured in terms of their economic impact. In finding ways to address the serious challenges posed by massive internal and transnational migrations, let us not forget that at the heart of this phenomenon is the human person. Thus we must also address the reasons why people move, the sacrifices they make, the anguish and the hopes that accompany migrants. Migration often places great strain on migrants, as they leave behind families and friends, socio-cultural and spiritual networks. As the secretary-general’s report rightly illustrates, while urbanization has created better opportunities for individuals and their families, the move from agricultural settings to urban centers also create myriad challenges. Indeed, new environmental, social and economic problems emerge with the birth of mega cities. But one of the most pressing and painful consequences of rapid urbanization is the increasing number of people living in urban slums. As recently as 2005 over 840 million people around the world lived in such conditions. Lacking in almost everything, these individuals can lose their sense of self-worth and inherent dignity. They become trapped in a vicious cycle of extreme poverty and marginalization. They squat on state or other people’s properties. They feel powerless to demand even the most basic public services. Children are not in schools, but in waste dumpsites eking out a living from scavenging. Policy makers and civil society actors must put these people and their concerns among the priorities in their decision-making.While urbanization provides a net growth in terms of economic development, we must not lose sight of the daunting challenges that rural communities face, particularly those in developing countries. If we are to achieve the MDGs by 2015, greater concern must be given to those communities, in which approximately 675 million still lack access to safe drinking water and two billion live without access to basic sanitation. National and international policies would do well to ensure that rural communities have access to higher quality and more accessible social services. Mr. Chairman,For its part, the Holy See and its institutions remain committed to addressing the concerns of all migrants and to finding ways to collaborate with all, in order to ensure a proper balance between the just concerns of state and those of individual human beings. Helping migrants meet their basic needs does not only aid their transition and help keep families together. It is also a positive way to encourage them to become productive, responsible, law-abiding and contributors to the common good of the society.Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Filed under: Migration, Social Doctrine, Social Justice

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