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 the fourth chapter, §128-153, entitled “A Heart Open to the World,” below:
Fr. Anthony Armstrong, O.Carm.
“If the conviction that all human beings are brothers and sisters is not to remain an abstract idea” we need to change our thinking in a number of areas (§128). “Our response to the arrival of migrating persons can be summarized by four words: welcome, protect, promote and integrate (§129).” Efforts should also be made to develop the country of origin of the immigrants (§132). Immigrants should be seen as a gift for the host country (§133). We need to discover the gift of the other through mutual dialog and openness to the other (§134). Immigrants can transform and enliven the society they are welcomed in (§135). Helping poorer countries includes giving them the chance to develop their economies through being able to sell to richer countries (§138).
However, gratuitousness is the higher goal as it “makes it possible for us to welcome the stranger, even though this brings us no immediate tangible benefit (§139).” God gives to all freely, and we are called to give freely to all too (§140). Each society needs to focus both on the global and the local (§142). “I can welcome others who are different, and value the unique contribution they have to make, only if I am firmly rooted in my own people and culture (§143).”
We must realize that “the whole is greater than the part, but it is also greater than the sum of its parts” (§145). Other cultures show us the rich diversity of human life (§147). “Our own cultural identity is strengthened and enriched as a result of dialogue with those unlike ourselves (§148).” Ultimately, “to attain fulfillment in life we need others (§150).” “Love for one’s neighbor [is] the first indispensable step towards attaining a healthy universal integration (§151).” Local neighborhoods can have a real sense of neighborhood which local nations are also called to develop (§152).