By Verghese V Joseph –
In response to a letter from the President of the Pan American Committee of Judges for Social Rights and Franciscan Doctrine on the rapid spread of COVID-19, the Pope Francis said that he was encouraged “by the reaction of so many doctors, nurses, volunteers, religious and priests, who put their lives at risk” in order to protect others. He was addressing the issues of measures adopted by governments to defend their populations against the Covid-19 virus.
The letter by the Pope Francis addressed to Dr. Roberto Andrés Gallardo, President of the Pan American Committee of Judges on March 28 said, “We are all concerned about the growth of the pandemic”.
The Holy Father urged governments around the world to act for the common good and recognised that some governments have taken “exemplary measures” and have well-defined priorities to defend the population”. Although some of these measures may be considered ‘irritating’ by some, the Pope acknowledged that they are put in place “for the common good”, and that most people “accept them and carry them forward with a positive attitude”.
The Holy Father said this was an important decision because, “We know that ‘defending the people’ results in ‘economic disaster’ and the governments that are tackling the crisis in this way are showing that “the people” are their priority, added the Pope.
Pope Francis referred to a meeting held with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in which they reflected on “the now” and “the later”.
Preparing for “the later” is important, says the Pope, and some of the consequences are already noticeable and need to be addressed. One of these, for example, is hunger.
Pope Francis ended his letter by referring to the opinion of economist Mariana Mazzucato in her book “The Value of Everything: Making and Taking in the Global Economy”. Her book explores the need to rethink value, explaining how giving more importance to value rather than price will help make the world a better place. “I think it helps to think about the future,” the Pope said.
On Monday, the Pope prayed especially for those overcome by “fear because of the pandemic”, and reflected on the two women from Monday’s readings during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. The Pope’s intention for Mass at the Casa Santa Marta was “for the many people who are not succeeding in coping and remain in fear because of the pandemic. May the Lord help them”, he continued, “to have the strength to cope for the good of society and the entire community.”