The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith recently released Dignitas Infinita, a declaration on human dignity. The document's relevance is immediately apparent. Below, there is news of migrants dying, war in the Holy Land, and civil unrest in Nigeria. On many fronts, in many ways, the dignity of the human person is forgotten, attacked, or destroyed. Let us be witnesses to a different world, built on the undeniable dignity of each and every person. | |
CMSM is pleased to announce a compilation of JPIC resources available for JPIC coordinators or Major Superiors and Councilors in the Member Content area of our website. If you are interested in gaining access to these resources, please email David Rohrer Budiash for instructions on how to sign up. | |
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Best Practices in Integral Ecology: Three Examples
Join us for a JPIC webinar on integral ecology on May 21 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm ET. The speakers will discuss best practices in integral ecology in the spirit of Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum, offering examples of how male religious have taken concrete steps to implement integral ecological practices in their respective communities. The speakers will be announced soon.
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Declaration Dignitas Infinita from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
The declaration, Dignitas Infinita, was released by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on April 8. It critiques modern issues while reinforcing Catholic teachings on abortion, war, abuse, surrogacy, and euthanasia. It focuses on several aspects of human dignity, including the ontological or intrinsic dignity every human possesses. Additionally, Dignitas Infinita introduces discussions on various other dimensions of dignity - moral, social, and existential - underscoring the enduring value of each person despite moral failings or challenging life circumstances.
The declaration has garnered a significant response. To Vatican News, Cardinal Gregory remarked that Dignitas Infinita will present both affirmations and challenges to readers. Bishop Burbidge, chairman of the USCCB Pro-Life Committee, also praised the clarity of the document, emphasizing its importance in current moral debates and its utility in reaffirming long-standing church teachings. Other major outlets, such as America Magazine and Catholic News Agency, offered commentary. The Pillar included commentary from theologians such as Charles Camosy and Abigail Favale.
Click here to read coverage of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith's press conference on the declaration by Catholic News Service.
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USCCB Letter Offers Assistance to Stabilize Nigeria
Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chairman of the International Committee on Justice and Peace, wrote to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on April 2, 2024, urging him to assist in bringing stability to Nigeria. Bishop Zaidan wrote that the government has failed and needs assistance to put an end to violence in the country, particularly with widespread kidnapping and internal displacement. Bishop Zaidan points out that the Catholic Church has many resources in Nigeria and would be willing to utilize them to help stabilize the region in whatever way possible.
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Crisis in Haiti Worsens: Minor Seminary Attacked by Gangs
On April 1, 2024, a minor seminary in Haiti run by the Spiritans was attacked by crime gangs, resulting in the arson of the computer room and the looting of the seminary library. This incident is part of a larger wave of violence in Haiti, where crime gangs, controlling about 80% of Port-au-Prince, have escalated their attacks on private and state properties. On the same day, these gangs also attempted an unsuccessful assault on Haiti's National Palace, leading to several injuries among officials. The United Nations has urged immediate action to address the crisis in Haiti, highlighting the absence of the rule of law and the increasing numbers of violence and sexual assault victims. Amidst this turmoil, the UN emphasizes the importance of education as a critical element for achieving peace and social stability in the country.
Read more here.
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Pope Francis on Gaza conflict: ‘Without justice, there is no peace’
Pope Francis, during a general audience, condemned the recent killing of humanitarian workers in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. He emphasized the importance of justice as a foundational virtue for a well-ordered society and linked the lack of justice to the perpetuation of conflicts and the oppression of the weak. In an emotional moment, he also reflected on the tragic death of a young Ukrainian soldier, urging for reflection on the devastation caused by war. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu described a tragic incident in Gaza where IDF actions unintentionally harmed civilians. Pope Francis reiterated the urgent need for a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid access to the suffering civilians in Gaza, highlighting the escalating civilian casualties.
Read the address here.
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At burial ground for unidentified migrants, Sisters pray for the dead
As part of a “border pilgrimage” to encounter and ponder the hardships of migration, a group of Sisters made time to pray for the dead. Terrace Park Cemetery in Holtville, California, where anonymous migrants are buried without any personal identifiers or tributes, is just bricks for tombstones. Where the migrants are buried is surrounded by a green plastic fence and lacks any decorative elements. The Sisters' visit highlighted the broader issue of migrant deaths along the U.S.-Mexico border, with many succumbing to harsh environmental conditions and remaining unidentified. The visit underscored the ongoing challenges and tragedies faced by migrants, as well as the efforts by religious and community groups to provide respect and remembrance for those who died in obscurity.
Read more here.
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Tanzania Testing Day: A Child’s Chance to Escape Poverty and Danger
The Sisters of Mary, numbering 383 sisters worldwide, engage in a daring annual mission to recruit impoverished Tanzanian children into their Boystown and Girlstown communities by administering exams in remote, dangerous locations. These exams are critical turning points, offering children a chance to escape poverty through education in these boarding schools, where they are nurtured, educated, and engaged in religious practices. Despite facing kidnappings and threats during their recruitment journeys, the Sisters of Mary persist, driven by a mission founded by Venerable Aloysius Schwartz in 1964 aimed at rescuing children from poverty. Their efforts over half a century have allowed over 175,000 children to pass and graduate, transforming lives and communities. The Sisters operate with a philosophy of serving the most vulnerable, exemplified by their relentless outreach to children living in extreme conditions, including areas with dangerous wildlife and high risks of trafficking.
Read more here.
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- Women of Providence in Collaboration Providence Justice Collective
- April 27, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:30 pm
- Who is “Other?” Then and Now
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More details are available here.
- Laudato Si’ Action Platform
- May 14, 2024 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm
- Introduction to Animal Rights from a Faith Perspective: New Insights to Animal Agriculture
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More details are available here.
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