杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

杏MAP导航 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 鈥渢hat 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鈥�. He emphasized that justice must begin within each one, with 鈥渙ur own personal conversion鈥�. This, he said, 鈥渋s the only justice that generates justice!鈥�

杏MAP导航 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 鈥� which 鈥渋s not the suspension of justice but its fulfilment鈥�. He also encouraged them to continue in their commitment 鈥渢o understand the causes of error, and the fragility of those who have broken the law鈥�.

Reforms an integral part of Church's ministry

The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 second main point of reflection dealt with 鈥渢he laws that regulate interpersonal relationships鈥� and 鈥渢he ethical values鈥� 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, 鈥渂ut also and above all the need to respect international commitments the Holy See has undertaken on behalf of the Vatican state鈥�. These commitments, the 杏MAP导航 said, deal primarily with the protection of human persons and social groups. 鈥淭he main purpose of these reforms鈥�, he continued, 鈥渕ust therefore be inserted within the Church鈥檚 mission; indeed, it is an integral and essential part of her ministerial activity鈥�. 

Effectiveness and efficiency of enforcement

The recent reforms have brought to light 鈥渟uspicious financial situations鈥�, 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 鈥渢he effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement actions, as required by international standards鈥�.

In particular, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted that the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City 鈥渉as also distinguished itself for its investigative activity in support of the Office of the Promoter of Justice鈥�.

While praising the work of reform, 杏MAP导航 Francis recognized that all efforts at reform remain dependent on people. 鈥淲e need, therefore, a particular attitude on the part of the operators, not only intellectually, but also morally and deontologically鈥�, he said. 鈥淚n this sense, the promotion of justice requires the contribution of the right people鈥�.

Awaiting Divine Justice

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his address by reminding those present of the words of Jesus in the Gospel: 鈥淏y the measure with which you judge, you will be judged鈥�. The Gospel, he said, 鈥渞eminds 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鈥�.