By Fr. Soroj Mullick, SDB –
The concept “social friendship” in the subtitle of Fratelli tutti (FT) along with fraternity, has been with Francis from 2000, then Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires. He writes, “social friendship within a society makes true universal openness possible” and that a “love capable of transcending borders is the basis” (FT 99) of a genuine ‘social friendship’. This kind of friendship allowed the Good Samaritan of the parable (Lk 10: 25-37) “to interrupt his journey, change his plans, and unexpectedly come to the aid of an injured person who needed his help” (FT 101).
Social dialogue and friendship in society are paramount for a new culture, built together based on consensus and truth (FT 198-214]. Propagating a new culture of encounter, becomes a habitual joyous culture, a new-normal of acknowledging others by recovering act of kindness through concrete charity, understanding and acceptance of the other, because “no one is useless and no one is expendable” (FT 215).
Dialogue and encounter allows one to respect the point of view of others. Relativism is not a solution, because without universal principles and moral norms, laws become merely “arbitrary impositions” (FT 206). In this regard media has a special role: without exploiting human weaknesses it must be directed toward generous encounter with the least, promoting proximity and the sense of human family (FT 205). The miracle of “kindness”, has to be recovered because it is that which “frees us from the cruelty and creates a healthy coexistence and opens paths in places where exasperation burns bridges (FT 222-224).
In order to achieve “social friendship and universal fraternity”, it is necessary to “call for an acknowledgement of the worth of every human person” (FT 106). Unless this basic right to live with dignity is upheld, “there will be no future either for fraternity or for the survival of humanity” (FT 107). All those who consider the migrants and other disadvantaged people being “less human” are to be denounced.
Francis writes: “This illusion, unmindful of the great fraternal values, leads to “a sort of cynicism. For that is the temptation we face if we go down the road of disenchantment and disappointment (…) Rather, it is closeness; it is the culture of encounter. Isolation, no; closeness, yes. Culture clash, no; culture of encounter, yes” (FT 30).The inalienable dignity of all people, that comes from God, is the source of fraternity; and therefore, the death penalty is “inadmissible” (FT 263) and a “just war” can never exist (FT 258).
Next Week: In the Way of the Good Samaritan
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].