Card Tagle: from "Gaudium et Spes" the path for mission among the poor and suffering
Washington (AsiaNews) - Celebrating 50 years since the promulgation of the Pastoral Constitution "Gaudium et Spes", the Archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Tagle is inviting faithful to spread the Gospel an become "agents of reconciliation" showing "solidarity with the poor and suffering" .
Addressing the participants at a recent conference at the Catholic University of America in Washington, in the United States, the cardinal urged those present to "come in contact with people from all walks of life", as a sign of "respect" for human "dignity". By doing so we can become, he added, "agents of reconciliation".
Stressing the supreme value of the human person, the archbishop of Manila reminded participants that evangelization can be achieved by a direct and personal engagement with people. There should be no distinction, he explained, among families, but it must also embrace those in which "spouses practice different religions," and even "in the neighborhood, the workplace, in politics" and within religious communities "Christian and non-Christian".
Tagle added that through Gaudium et Spes, "the council manifests the church's amazement at the value and dignity of every human being." He said Church document, from one perspective, could be considered "an ode of the Church to the beauty, the value of human person." Card Tagle continued that "The (Second Vatican) council was very clear that it presents this teaching for no other reason than to evangelize. There is mission involved here".
Explaining the Pastoral Constitution promulgated in
December 1965, the cardinal stated that it does not want to create a form of
parallel government, a parallel economy, but act as "a contribution to humanity, in the
search for a better life, a better world. "
Finally, the archbishop of Manila devoted a reflection to the rapid changes
that characterize modern society. In this sense, "Gaudium et Spes"
outlines the relationship between the Catholic Church and modernity, within a
"constantly and rapidly changing" society.
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