by Pope  Francis

For Those who have Responsibility in Economic Matters. That economists may have the courage to reject any economy of exclusion and know how to open new paths.

It’s important to know what things are for, especially if we dedicate our lives to them. Today economists are being asked what the economy is for. The astounding thing is that in their training few were asked to ponder this question.

Kate Raworth, the proposer of the ecologically and socially sensitive ‘doughnut economics’ theory admits that when she was a student, no lecturer actually posed the question. Perhaps it was simply too dangerous and would lead to ethical and political questions concerning the distribution of wealth. Perhaps it was part of the scientific pose of economics which wanted the respectability of scientific ‘rigour’ and ‘objectivity’. But such a distancing from questions of value ignored consequences such as the economic exclusion of the poor and the destruction of the environment.

Continue reading “Pope’s Prayer Intention April 2018” →

by Fr Chris Chatteris

Pope calls us to discern our lives

General Intention: That the Church may appreciate the urgency of formation in spiritual discernment, both on the personal and communitarian levels.

Is Pope Francis still a Jesuit? It’s a good canonical question, because if you define a Jesuit as a man under obedience to a Jesuit superior, then Francis is no longer in that position.

On the other hand, his Jesuit spirit can be seen time and time again in his public statements and his prophetic actions.

Continue reading “March 2018: Formation in Spiritual discernment” →

by Fr Chris Chatteris SJ

Pope’s Prayer Intention:

Say ‘no’ to corruption. That those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption.

‘Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’. It has to be the most over-quoted saying in the English language, but Lord Acton’s famous words are as true today as they were when he uttered them in the 19^th Century.

As the governing party struggles to clean up its act under a new leader, South Africans are getting a ringside view of the moral struggle involved in the corruption of political and material power. The politicians have the political power and business people have the material power. When they get together in a mutually corrupting relationship, there is a perfect storm of sleaze, scandal and shame. Continue reading “February 2018: Say ‘no’ to corruption” →

by Dabulamanzi Ntshangase

Pope Francis has visited the African continent on two occasions: first, towards the end of 2015 and the Year of Mercy, second, on first half of the current year (2017). On his first visit, he went to Kenya, Central Africa Republic and Uganda respectively. On his second visit, he went to Egypt. In each of these countries, the Holy Father has addressed the priests, the religious and the seminarians. The following few words are, therefore, a personal reflection on two of these addresses from the Holy Father, that is, to the priests, religious and seminarians in Uganda as well as those in Egypt. It is important to note that the pope does not only speak to the priests, religious and seminarians of Uganda and Egypt but to all of us who are playing for the same team. Continue reading “In the ‘Pearl of Africa’ and among the ‘Little Flock’” →