杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

杏MAP导航 Francis on Saturday encouraged Catholic legislators 鈥渢o be witnesses of hope,鈥� particularly for the younger generations, amidst the darkness of war overshadowing the world.  

Catholics are called 鈥渢o find wisdom and strength to see beyond the clouds and, with the hope born of faith, to inspire others, especially the young, to work for a better tomorrow,鈥� he said.

The 杏MAP导航 was addressing participants in the fifteenth Annual Meeting of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) taking place in Rome.

The ICLN  is a non-partisan association founded in 2010 that connects and supports dedicated Christian leaders in public office, irrespective of their political affiliation, by building a growing international network.

Its mission is to offer them spiritual and doctrinal formation and global networking opportunities, so they can exercise virtuous and effective leadership that is committed to the dignity of every human being.

The theme chosen for this year鈥檚 meeting is 鈥淭he World at War: Permanent Crises and Conflicts 鈥� What Does It Mean for Us?鈥�

Third world war fought piecemeal

In his address, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted that the theme is especially timely against the backdrop of what he again defined as a "third world war fought piecemeal,鈥� which 鈥渟eems 鈥榩ermanent鈥�, and unstoppable,鈥� and 鈥渟eriously jeopardizes the patient efforts made by the international community, above all through multilateral diplomacy, to encourage cooperation.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 offered three considerations as a contribution to their reflection on possible responses to the crisis to share with all men and women of good will, particularly those inspired by the Gospel message of fraternity, justice, and peace.

Renouncing war to solve conflicts

First, he highlighted 鈥渢he imperative of renouncing war as a suitable means of resolving conflicts and establishing justice.鈥� 

This, he noted, is all the more urgent today in light of the radically different nature of contemporary warfare due to the unprecedented destructive capacity of modern weaponry and in which 鈥渢he distinction between military and civilian targets is increasingly erased.鈥�

鈥淥ur consciences cannot fail to be moved by the daily scenes of death and destruction daily before our eyes,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said. 鈥淲e need to hear the cry of the poor in order to see the abyss of evil at the heart of war and to resolve by every means possible to choose peace.鈥�

Perseverance and patience in negotiating peace

The second point 杏MAP导航 Francis mentioned was 鈥減erseverance and patience鈥� in pursuing the path of peace through negotiation, mediation and arbitration 鈥渇acilitated by renewed trust in the structures of international cooperation,鈥� which in turn are in need of reform and renewal in order to adapt to current circumstances.鈥� 

In this regard, he also stressed the need to uphold international humanitarian law and to provide it 鈥渨ith ever more solid juridical foundations."

He said this also entails working 鈥渇or an ever more just distribution of the earth鈥檚 goods,鈥� in order to overcome "the scandalous inequalities and injustices that fuel long-term conflicts worldwide."

Dialogue for the common good

杏MAP导航 Francis insisted that, though conflicts in any sphere, may sometimes be 鈥渦navoidable,鈥� as they are part of human nature, they can 鈥渂e resolved fruitfully in a spirit of dialogue and sensitivity to others and their reasons, and in shared commitment to justice in the pursuit of the common good.鈥�

Need to inspire hope

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis stressed the need 鈥渢o revive the spirit of hope that led to the establishment of the structures of cooperation in the service of peace in the wake of the Second World War.鈥� 

He therefore encouraged the Catholic legislators to be 鈥渕odels of hope and idealism鈥� that 鈥渃ounter the messages of pessimism and cynicism鈥� to which especially young people are often exposed today  so they may build a better future.

"May your commitment to the common good, buoyed by trust in Christ鈥檚 promises, serve as an example for our young people," the 杏MAP导航 concluded.