The Cardinal Secretary of State
inaugurates a 2-day “Centesimus Annus Foundation” meeting as it marks
its 30th anniversary with a focus on a culture of encounter and the need
give voice to all for the common good.
“In a world dominated by uncertainty, which seeks refuge by
withdrawing into the sphere of the private and thus paying no attention
to others, (…) more than ever we must make an effort to read and respond
to the signs of the times,” said Cardinal Pietro Parolin noting that
the temptation to withdraw is a risk that even politicians may run.
They too, he added, can be driven to focus on circumscribed private
interests rather than on an effort geared towards the vision of a broad
common good. “Not to do so leads to approaches that are not inspired by
subsidiarity, that is, by concern for those far away, as generally
happens in those decisions defined as ‘global’,” he said.
And yet, Parolin continued, there are two factors that can point
towards greater cohesion and integration, on which the Pope insists a
great deal: “social friendship” and the “culture of encounter”.
Generic appeals for peace are not enough
Cardinal Pietro Parolin centred his speech at the opening of the
two-day meeting organised by the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice
Foundation for the 30th anniversary of its foundation on these two
values that are dear to Pope Francis.
Addressing participants at the meeting before a papal audience in the
Vatican’s Clementine Hall, the Secretary of State focused on the term
"community", is part of the title of the meeting Memory to build the future: Thinking and acting in terms of community.
"By now it is clear to everyone," he observed, " By now it is clear to
everyone that the problems, the search for solutions, and the
expectations of many of our brothers and sisters have a global dimension
and call for equally global responses.” And so, he continued, “In order
to work together for the good of the community, generic calls for peace
or economic growth or respect for the environment are not enough.”
The two values
The “notion of the common good” must be understood, and perhaps
included, Cardinal Parolin indicated, “in order to avoid policies or
activities that promote “particular” solutions, since these can create
exclusion or prove lost opportunities for everyone.“
Thus, social friendship and the culture of encounter, the Secretary
of State argued, offer a useful point of view to achieve a concrete
common good, because both are the hallmarks "of an open and
future-oriented society".
Social friendship because, he explains, it is by nature inclusive and
helps “to plan activities that are inclusive and not limited to one’s
own community or native country.” The culture of encounter because, far
from stimulating 'sporadic acts of charity' that delude one into
believing they eliminate discrimination, is instead a 'way of life' that
knows how to truly respect the dignity and freedom of all.
The fulfilment of all
If in John Paul II's Centesimus Annus, published in '91, the
Magisterium attributed "great significance to values such as democracy
and freedom" at that moment in history, today - Cardinal Parolin noted -
the current scenario finds an echo in the reflection developed by Pope
Francis in Fratelli tutti, in which he asserts that words such as
democracy, freedom, justice or unity " have been bent and shaped to
serve as tools for domination, as meaningless tags that can be used to
justify any action.”
The weakening of the "complex of values" with which today's political
or economic decision-makers must measure themselves against requires,
the Secretary of State added, "careful discernment in order rto
safeguard general interests". In essence, Cardinal Parolin concludes, it
is a question of "responsibility" that directs decisions, and
resources, towards "the full realization of all human beings, their
growth and their aspirations, based on their dignity and identity.”