SUMMARY:
- THE
POPE EMPHASISES THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN THE NEW CONTEXT OF OUR
AGE
- THE
POPE'S FIRST THREE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON TWITTER
-
AUDIENCES
______________________________________
THE
POPE EMPHASISES THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN THE NEW CONTEXT OF OUR
AGE
Vatican
City, 13 December 2012 (VIS) - This morning Benedict XVI received in
audience six new ambassadors and non-resident ambassadors accredited
to the Holy See: Bizwayo Newton Nkunika of Zambia, Chalermpol
Thanchitt of Thailand, Ravinatha Pandukabhaya Aryasinha of Sri Lanka,
Wafic Rida Said of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Aminatou Batoure
Gaoh of Niger and Ibrahima Sory Sow of Guinea.
In his
address to the diplomats, the Pope focused on the theme of education,
one of the principal challenges of our times and which today is
located "in a context in which the evolution of ways of life and
forms of knowledge create human, cultural, social and spiritual
ruptures hitherto unknown in the history of humanity".
In this
regard, he also mentioned that social networks "tend to
substitute natural social and communicative spaces, often becoming
the only point of reference for information and knowledge. The family
and schools no longer appear to be the primary or most natural
fertile ground where younger generations receive the lifeblood of
their existence. ... Schools and universities seem to have become
incapable of creative projects leading to a transcendental teleology
able to attract young people in the very depths of their being. ...
Today's world and its responsible adults are not able to provide them
with the necessary points of reference".
The Holy
Father asked whether the dysfunction of certain institutions and
services, both public and private, can be explained "by an
inadequately provided and received education", and went on to
invite the governments of the nations represented by the ambassadors
"to contribute courageously to the advancement of humanity,
favouring the education of the new generations through the promotion
of a healthy anthropology, the essential basis for all true
education, and consonant with our common natural heritage. This task
must take as its starting point a sober review of the various
problems that exist within your respective countries, where certain
political and economic policies may risk a gradual erosion of your
anthropological and spiritual heritages, which have been refined
through the centuries and patiently constructed on foundations that
respect the essence of the human person in all its variety and in
perfect harmony with the cosmos". The Pope continued, "I
again urge your governments to have the courage to strengthen and
consolidate the moral authority - the call to a coherent way of life
- necessary for a genuine and healthy education for the younger
generations".
"The
right to an education in correct values can be neither denied nor
neglected. The duty to educate in these values must never be limited
or weakened by any form of national or supranational political
interest. Therefore it is essential to educate in and about the
truth: ... the truth about mankind, about creation, about
institutions, and so on. Alongside education in the righteousness of
the heart and mind, the young also need, now more than ever, to be
educated in the meaning of effort and perseverance in the face of
difficulty. They need to recognise that all human action must be
responsible and coherent with the desire for the infinite, and that
this action should form a part of their growth, with a view to
developing a humanity that is increasingly fraternal and free from
the temptations of individualism and materialism".
Benedict
XVI concluded by greeting, through the ambassadors, the Catholic
communities present in their countries. "The Church accomplishes
her mission in faith to the Lord and with the ardent desire to make a
special contribution to the advancement of your compatriots,
especially in relation to the education of children and young people.
She participates every day in the common effort to facilitate
spiritual and human growth through her structures in the fields of
education, charity and health, always seeking to promote mutual
respect and responsibility. I therefore encourage your governments to
continue to allow the Church to operate freely in her traditional
fields of activity where, as you know, she makes an important
contribution to the development of your countries and to the common
good".
THE
POPE'S FIRST THREE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON TWITTER
Vatican
City, 13 December 2012 (VIS) - @Pontifex, Pope Benedict XVI's Twitter
account, attracted over a million and a half followers on its first
day of existence. The Pope, after his first tweet at the end of the
usual Wednesday general audience, responded during the course of the
day to three questions posed by members of the public from three
different continents. The first was: "How can we celebrate the
Year of Faith better in our daily lives?". The Holy Father's
answer was "By speaking with Jesus in prayer, listening to what
he tells you in the Gospel and looking for him in those in need".
Shortly
afterwards a second question was added: "How can faith in Jesus
be lived in a world without hope?". "We can be certain that
a believer is never alone. God is the solid rock upon which we build
our lives and his love is always faithful", responded Benedict
XVI.
The final
tweet, posted around 6 p.m., was: "Offer everything you do to
the Lord, ask his help in all the circumstances of daily life and
remember that he is always beside you", in response to: "Any
suggestions on how to be more prayerful when we are so busy with the
demands of work, families and the world?"
AUDIENCES
Vatican
City, 13 December 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in
audience:
- Anne
Leahy, ambassador of Canada, on her farewell visit.
-
Professor Carl A. Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of
Columbus.
-
Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith.
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