Interview with Pope Francis Sept 30 2013

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A Big Heart Open to God

September 30, 2013

Antonio Spadaro, S.J.

The exclusive interview with Pope Francis

Pope Francis

Editor’s Note: This interview with Pope Francis took place over the course of three meetings during August 2013 in Rome. The interview was conducted in person by Antonio Spadaro, S.J., editor in chief of La Civiltà Cattolica, the Italian Jesuit journal. Father Spadaro conducted the interview on behalf of La Civiltà Cattolica,America and several other major Jesuit journals around the world. The editorial teams at each of the journals prepared questions and sent them to Father Spadaro, who then consolidated and organized them. The interview was conducted in Italian. After the Italian text was officially approved, America commissioned a team of five independent experts to translate it into English. America is solely responsible for the accuracy of this translation. This interview is copyrighted by America Press and cannot be used, except for brief quotations, without written permission.

Father Spadaro met the pope at the Vatican in the pope’s apartments in the Casa Santa Marta, where he has chosen to live since his election. Father Spadaro begins his account of the interview with a description of the pope’s living quarters.

The setting is simple, austere. The workspace occupied by the desk is small. I am impressed not only by the simplicity of the furniture, but also by the objects in the room. There are only a few. These include an icon of St. Francis, a statue of Our Lady of Luján, patron saint of Argentina, a crucifix and a statue of St. Joseph sleeping. The spirituality of Jorge Mario Bergoglio is not made of “harmonized energies,” as he would call them, but of human faces: Christ, St. Francis, St. Joseph and Mary.

Jesuit general on Syria

Dear Friends,

The JESA Dispatch – 149 comes to you Jesuit General's views on Syria situation, thanks to Shailendra Boora SJ

who  says: “First time, head of a Religious Congregation speaks against the American intervention in Syria! It may remind us of the Jesuit stand against the unjust colonization in South America… Wish the Society of Jesus gets that Spirit.”

 

Sannybhai 

MILITARY ACTION IN SYRIA WOULD BE 'AN ABUSE OF POWER' says Jesuit General

The Jesuit General has accused the United States and France of an "abuse of power", in considering military action in Syria and says the Jesuits fully support Pope Francis' call for a day of prayer and fasting in support of peace this Saturday.

While he says he would not normally comment on international or political situations, Father General Adolfo Nicolás SJ says the current circumstances mean he cannot keep silent, stating: "I cannot understand who gave the United States or France the right to act against a country in a way that will certainly increase the suffering of the citizens of that country, who, by the way, have already suffered beyond measure."

Fr Nicolás outlines three fundamental problems. Firstly, an abuse of power which, he says, would be like "the big boy of the neighbourhood" abusing, harassing and bullying the weaker members of the community. Secondly, he expresses concern about the lack of concrete information about the use of chemical weapons in Syria. And he highlights in particular the impact that any military action by the US and France would have upon "the ordinary innocent and poor people" of Syria.

The Jesuit General says "the danger is now" and he echoes the Holy Father's call for a day of prayer and fasting for peace on 7 September. The full text of the extraordinary interview with him is given below.

Interview with Father General about Syria and peace

Q. The Holy Father has gone out of the way to speak for Peace in Syria, which is now under threat of a new attack by the United States and France. What do you think in this regard?

R. It is not customary for me to make comments on situations that have to do with international or political situations. But in the present case we are dealing with a Humanitarian situation that exceeds all the limits that would ordinarily keep me silent. I have to confess that I cannot understand who gave the United States or France the right to act against a Country in a way that will certainly increase the suffering of the citizens of that country, who, by the way, have already suffered beyond measure. Violence and violent action, like what is being planned, have to always be the last resort and administered in such a way that only the guilty are affected. In the case of a Country this is evidently impossible to control and, thus, it seems to me totally unjustified. We, Jesuits, support 100% the Holy Father and wish with all our hearts that the threatened attack on Syria does not take place.

Q. But, hasn´t the world a responsibility to do something against those who abuse power against their own people, like a Government using chemical weapons in a conflict?

R. We have right here three different problems that it is important to state clearly. The first is that all abuse of power is to be condemned and rejected. And, with all respect for the people of the United States, I think that a military intervention like the one being planned is itself an abuse of power. The US has to stop acting and reacting like the big boy of the neighborhood of the world. This leads inevitably to abuse, harassment and bullying of the weaker members of the community.
The second is that if there has been use of chemical weapons we still have to probe in a way that is clear to the whole world that one party in the conflict and not the other has used them. It is not enough that some members of the punishing Government make a statement of conviction. They have to convince the world, so that the world can trust in them. This confidence does not happen today, and many have already started speculation about the ulterior motives that the USA may have in the projected intervention.
And the third, that the means considered adequate to punish the abuse do not harm the very Victims of the original abuse, once it has been proved to exist. Past experience teaches us that this is practically impossible (even if we call the victims "collateral damage") and the results increase the suffering of the ordinary innocent and poor people. We all know that the great concern of the Wise Elders and Religious Founders of all traditions and cultures was "how to reduce human suffering?" It is very worrying that in the name of justice we plan an attack that will increase the suffering of the victims.

Q. Aren´t you particularly harsh on the United States?

R. I do not think so. I have no prejudice regarding this great Country and I have a few American Jesuits working with me whose opinions and services I value very highly. I have never entertained any negative feelings against the United States, a Country that I admire on many counts, including commitment, spirituality and thought. What disturbs me most now is that precisely this country I respect so much is at the point of doing such a terrible mistake. And something similar goes for France. A Country that has been a real leader in esprit, intelligence, and that has made gigantic contributions to Civility and Culture is now tempted to bring us back to barbarism, in open contradiction of what France has been a symbol of for many past generations: That two such Countries would come together for such an outrageous measure is part of the world´s anger. We are not afraid of the attack; we are afraid of the barbarism to which we are being lead

Q. But why speak out now?

R. Because the danger is now. Because the Holy Father has taken a measure that is extraordinary to indicate the urgency of the moment. To indicate that the 7th of September is a day of Fasting for the sake of Peace is an extraordinary measure and we want to join him in it. Remember that at one point in the Gospel, when the disciples of Jesus could not liberate a young man from an evil spirit, Jesus told them: "This kind of spirits cannot be driven away if not by prayer and fasting" I find it extremely upsetting that a Country that considers itself, at least nominally, Christian, could not imagine other ways of acting that would not be "military", and, instead, contribute to bring Humanity back to the law of the jungle.

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Navjivan Renewal Centre, Delhi

Delhi: Inauguration of Navjivan Renewal Centre

Tags : Delhi Jesuits, inauguration, Navjivan, Renewal Centre

Published Date: August 7, 2013

A centre for holistic human wellness.

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Navjivan, a new Jesuit Renewal Centre in Delhi for holistic human wellness was opened on the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola. It intends to respond to the needs of the times and to promote renewal and transformation of life of individuals, groups and society at large. Also it will take initiatives to enter into dialogue with followers of all Religions in the region.

Navjivan was blessed by Most Rev. Anil T J Couto, Archbishop of Delhi, and inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Varkey Perekkatt SJ, Provincial of Delhi on 31st July 2013 in the presence of Most Rev. Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, Bishop Of Faridabad, Most Rev. Franco Mulakkal, Bishop Designate of Jalandar Diocese, many Religious Priests, Sisters and Laity.

When the Provincial, Fr. Varkey Parekatt cut the ribbon and opened the building, Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi and Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara of Faridabad, Bishop Franco of Jalandhar blessed the building and its members. The building is constructed very tastefully with over 50 rooms and conference halls.

It was a great spectacle at St. Xavier’s Delhi where the Province was inaugurating the long cherished Renewal Center Navjivan. Started as a place for the retired Jesuits in 2010, the present leadership of the Province broadened the place into a Renewal Centre.

T. K John led the liturgy of the blessing and felicitations. The director of Navjivan, George Mlakuzhy presented brochure of the coming year 2014 brimming with a wide array of programs.

The focus groups for Navjivan Renewal Centre in 2014 are priests, religious, lay leaders in the Church and Society, high school students, teachers and principals, youth, their leaders and animators, married couples, parents and family, social activists and NGOs working for the liberation of the poor and the marginalized.

Various types of programmes are planned for the coming year. Apart from various kinds of retreats, workshops on national issues and courses on spirituality and legal aid, special programmes for youth, teachers, principals etc are prepared.

Navjivan resource persons are experts in scripture, spirituality, counselling, education, inter-religious dialogue, theology, psychology, law etc. Moreover, the centre is well equipped with modern facilities like self- contained single rooms (many of which are air-conditioned), air-conditioned conference hall and classrooms, a large hall, workshop rooms, a good library, a chapel, lounge and a serene campus with green lawns and shady trees etc.

Fr. Varkey mentioned that Fr. P.T Augustine managed to get the whole building plans approved without paying any ‘commissions’ to the Corporation officials. Probably that was a Herculean task.

Detailed information can be downloaded from the website www.navjivanrenewalcentre.in

Jose Vattakkuzhy SJ.

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Time management - 10 million for 5 min!

Its time we realize what is most important

July 22, 2013 

When the angel of death came to Joe Smith, to accompany him to his real home, Joe dismissively responded “I am not ready to die as I have so much left to do. Do you mind coming back later?”

The Angel replied, sorry your time is up and we must leave now. Joe enquired, “don’t you know who I am? I am Joe Smith, one of the richest men in the world.    The Angel nodded “I know all about you as I do everyone else; now hurry along, Let’s go.”

Joe pleaded; “if I were to give you 10% of my fortune, which is over a billion dollars, will you turn a blind eye and return a year later?”    The Angel shook his head and replied, “you don’t seem to understand Joe. It is time to go”

For the next few moments, Joe tried his best to negotiate with the angel giving away more of his fortune for lesser time. He finally succumbed and offered “if I were to give you all my fortune, which is 10 billion dollars, will you give me 5 minutes so that I can call my wife and children and tell them that I love them? I have never told them this and it is very important to me that they know how I feel about them. I also need to seek forgiveness from 2 people that I have hurt the most. All I ask is 5 minutes!”   The Angel paused and looked at Joe curiously and asked, “How long did it take you to make your 10 billion dollars?”

Joe replied, “30 years my friend – it took me a whole 30 years – it’s a great deal in exchange for 5 minutes, take it – you will never have to work another day in your life. “

The Angel shook his head and said “I really do not understand you human beings! If you are willing to give up 30 years of your lives’ work for 5 minutes, then why did you not make the most of every minute while you had it? How did you value your time? Where were your priorities? Why did you not say or do the things that really mattered?”

The lights went off a second later, Joe was gone.   His 10 billion dollars could not buy him the time to do what really mattered