By Fr Soroj Mullick SDB –
Pope Francis has criticised “neo-liberal” system, “populism” and the claim for “individualistic-rights” in Fratelli tutti (FT 111); he makes a harsh observation of excesses globalization, financial systems, and attitudes towards migrants whose fundamental rights are violated. But he does not provide any lines of action for putting an end to them. FT may seem to be too political for a spiritual leader, but it is his fight against the great evils that are plaguing today’s world. In a less diplomatic style, with a “left-wing” label attached to him, Francis tries to renew the language of the Church, following a radical Gospel path.
As head of state, as a great spiritual and political leader, he is charting a “common course” for humanity, on concrete situations drawn from the many national episcopal conferences that report on tragic events, violent conflicts and the civil wars in the world. He is, therefore, at the service of conflict resolution. With frankness, he diagnoses and confronts the political aberrations, going out of the confine of spiritual sphere. He prix where it hurts, by “attacking the various logics that exclude the poorest” and exposes the economic, societal and cultural systems that produce the “culture of waste”- a “throwaway culture” (FT 188).
Radical social Catholicism must take up the task at this perilous moment of politics of the powerful. Catholic world is underperforming in public life, though its social doctrine, poorly known and insufficiently appreciated by the faithful, is admired outside. Persons inspired by Christian thinking kept a balance between personal responsibility and a concern for community, between individual rights and the common good. Today, we hear from Church leaders, the cry of cultural warfare, of gloom and danger, than the equilibrium of rights and duties, responsibility, hope and possibilities. The Church’s socio-political teachings with radical moderation is missing today. In this context, FT offers a sharp critique of the status quo and at the same time sees human beings capable of transcendence in the face of growing inequality. As Rerum novarum insists on the dignity of work and the right of workers to organize collectively to maintain their family life and its values, FT empathizes with those outside the families with social friendship, to form a fraternity (FT 162).
It has to bring to the world “the joy of the Gospel,” with charity and justice by speaking fearlessly and consistently against the social and moral failures. Church’s public witness is what Francis offers with decisive steps, towards democracy, religious freedom, and human rights. To be a “counter-cultural” force, one has to be critical of the status quo, with a monolithic political views based on the Gospel. But, Francis’s most enthusiastic detractors speak about “intrinsic evils,” towards which he is leading the Church, because he speaks boldly, on migrants, racism, labour rights, climate change, social justice, war, economics and death penalty.
If we do not disassociate from right-wing politics, there will not be any progressive Catholicism; the young will dismiss the institutions of faith and religious people; the more we are with secularism and the doctrine of moral relativism, the traditional moral order will die in misery. We can never question the sincerity of another’s faith, which is the mysterious gift of grace. Certainly, there are conflicting attitudes toward Francis’s project. Creating a culture of life, rooted in solidarity, dialogue and conversion will go a long way to cease the vicious cycle the culture wars have let loose. Pope Francis says, “If the Church is alive, it must always surprise.”
Next Week: Paths of Renewed Encounter and Forgiveness
Fr. Soroj Mullick, SDB is a Salesian priest from the Kolkata Province. He has a Licentiate in Catechetics and a Doctorate (Christian Education) from UPS, Italy. He has number of years of teaching experience in college and in the formation of future priests. Besides, he has written number of research papers and articles, and has 25 years of Ministry in India and abroad as Educator, Formator, Retreat Preacher, Editor and engaged in School, Parish Catechetical & Youth Ministry. He is now an assistant priest in Bandel Basilica, rendering pastoral and catechetical ministry to the parishioners and to the pilgrims. He can be contacted at [email protected].