杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

At the beginning of the Vatican鈥檚 judicial year, 杏MAP导航 Francis expressed his gratitude and recognition for the work of judiciary, especially in light of reforms made in recent years. 鈥淭hese changes,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渨ill be more fruitful to the extent that they are accompanied by further reforms in the penal sphere,鈥� directed above all at combatting and repressing financial crimes; promoting and speeding up international cooperation between Vatican institutions and other financial oversight bodies; and other initiatives undertaken by the Vatican police.

The meaning and task of the Church

杏MAP导航 Francis began his address by noting that the inauguration of the judicial year was taking place, due to anti-Covid measures, in the Hall of Blessings, located between St Peter鈥檚 Square and the main body of the Basilica. 鈥淚n this singular position,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said, 鈥渙ne can see the meaning and task of the Church,鈥� established by Christ 鈥渢o carry out the mission of supporting the truth鈥� and 鈥榩roclaiming, even by its own example, humility and self-sacrifice.鈥欌��

The Holy Father insisted on the 鈥渦rgency鈥� of identifying and introducing new forms of cooperation, as requested by financial supervisory institutions in order to achieve quicker results in investigations. He expressed his hope that meetings at the appropriate levels might soon take place in order to make collaboration more effective.

Inspired by principles of ecclesial life

At the same time, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted that measures aimed at 鈥渁bsolute transparency of the institutional activities of the Vatican State鈥� must be inspired 鈥渂y the founding principles of ecclesial life,鈥� while also taking into account internationally recognised 鈥渂est practices.鈥�

He emphasized in particular the importance of ensuring the equality of all members of the Church, and their equal dignity and position, in the procedural system of the Vatican judiciary, calling for an end to privileges 鈥渢hat are no longer in keeping with the responsibilities each individual has in building up the Church.鈥�

A duty of witness

Despite being a relatively small entity, the Vatican nonetheless has a 鈥減articular duty of witness,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said. 鈥淲e are called to witness, concretely and credibly, in our respective roles and tasks, to the immense patrimony of values that characterizes the Church's mission, to her being 鈥榮alt and light鈥� in society and in the international community, especially in moments of crisis such as the present one.鈥�

He urged those present to reflect on the fact that in carrying out their daily work, they 鈥渙ffer a precious contribution so that the Church, in this very small Vatican City State, may give a good example of what she teaches in her social magisterium.鈥�

And he invited all those 鈥渃alled to work for the cause of justice,鈥� to not be afraid to 鈥渨aste time鈥� in prayer, noting that 鈥渙nly in prayer, do we draw from God, from his Word, that inner serenity which enables us to carry out our duties with magnanimity, equity and foresight.鈥�

The eyes of Justice look to heaven

Illustrating his message with an appeal to the artistic tradition, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted that painting and sculpture represent justice as weighing and balancing opposing interests, on the one hand, while defending what is right on the other. 鈥淐hristian iconography then adds to the previous artistic tradition a detail of no small importance,鈥� he said: 鈥淭he eyes of Justice are not blindfolded, but turned upward, and look to Heaven, because only in Heaven there is true justice.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis said he hoped that, in the new judicial year, 鈥渢his awareness would accompany and inspire鈥� his hearers in their 鈥渄aily work in the service of justice.鈥� He said, 鈥淚 pray for this, and I accompany you with my blessing,鈥� before concluding his address with a request that they, in turn, pray for him.