What a week for the Holy Father, Benedict 16th! Earlier this week his long awaited social encyclical was finally released. The encyclical is entitled Caritas in Veritate, Charity in Truth. This is Benedict's third overall encyclical but the first in the tradition of the great social/economic writings such as Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII, Quadragesimo Anno by Pope Pius XI and Popolorum Progressio by Paul VI. In fact, a good part of Benedict's new encyclical is devoted to Popolorum Progressio released a little over 40 years ago. I have yet to complete the reading of Caritas in Veritate (about halfway thru) but believe it will have a huge impact on Catholic social teaching.
Pope Benedict's other two encylicals are Deus Caritas Est, God Is Love, based on the evangelists declaration in 1John, chapter 4 and Spe Salvi, Saved in Hope, based on St. Paul's letter to the Romans.
The best way to download a copy of this papal encyclical, and others as well, is to go to the vatican website: www.vatican.va
And if this was not enough to qualify as a big week, Pope Benedict today welcomed President Barack Obama to the Vatican. While the meeting was cordial and some common ground was discussed, the Holy Father did give Obama a unique gift. Pope Benedict presented the President with his document on the right to life and bioethics entitled Dignitas Personae. While Obama claimed to wish to reduce the number of abortions, he remains politically aligned with the pro-choice (or as I put it pro abort) crowd. Pope Benedict was certainly not moved as he reaffirmed the pro-life teaching of the Church. The President did promise to read the book.
I believe all Catholics, all Christians of good will can join together and pray for the President and a change of heart when it comes to issues of life.
No comments:
Post a Comment