Fratelli Tutti (Chapter 3)

Thursday, November 5th, 2020

Pope Francis issued his latest encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” on 10/3/2020, with the theme of fraternity and social friendship. There are eight chapters in this encyclical. Fr. Anthony summarizes below the third chapter entitled “Envisaging and Engendering an Open World.”

Fr. Anthony Armstrong, O.Carm.

We cannot be fully human as isolated individuals or small groups. We need “to move beyond [ourselves] in openness to others (§90).” True love of neighbor means valuing them for who they are, wanting their good. Such love is open to all, to recognizing our shared humanity. Society always needs to look after the least in society e.g. the elderly and the disabled, and treat them with dignity.

  • 99-102 emphasizes that true love does not look down on the other, and values the differences between people. Separation from others makes it impossible to be neighbors to them. §103-105 stresses that true fraternity “enhances freedom and equality (§103),” and that equality is achieved by recognizing the other as different and still accepting them (§104).  True fraternity necessarily values the value of every human being (§106), irrespective of their circumstances (§107). Ultimately, “the rights of each individual are harmoniously ordered to the greater good (§111).”
  • 112-117 reflects on promoting the common good, including moral virtue (§112). Families and teachers are key to promoting solidarity with all (§114), which “finds concrete expression in service (§115),” and means “thinking and acting in terms of community (§116).” Because every human being has equal dignity the rich do not have greater rights over the poor (§118). Saints ancient and modern have emphasized that the wealth of the rich is to be shared with the poor (§119-120). Where we are born should not determine our economic opportunities (§121), but all should actually help alleviate poverty (§123). Ultimately, “if all people are my brothers and sisters, then it matters little whether my neighbor was born in my country or elsewhere (§125).” Francis ends by pointing out our mutuality and shared responsibility to each other (§127).
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