By Fr. Soroj Mullick, SDB –
Envisaging and engendering an open world (Ch. 3, of Fratelli Tutti (FT) 87-127), we are asked to move beyond ourselves engrained with the unique value of love – a love that is ever more open within open societies that integrate everyone (FT 88-98). We all suffer from the inadequate understandings of universal love (FT 99-100). Francis exhorts all to go “‘outside’ the self”, to find “a fuller existence in another” (FT 88), through the spiritual dynamism of charity leading toward “universal fulfilment” (FT 95), without selfishness (FT 92-93). It calls us to go beyond a world of “associates” with a universal love that promotes persons and lead towards liberty, equality and fraternity, while also promoting the moral good and the value of solidarity (FT 101-117). Re-envisaging the social role of property that ultimately belongs to the Creator-Giver and which needs to be shared, the rights of all peoples especially the poor and abandoned, and the rights without borders (FT 121-127) must be upheld.
A fraternal society with ethics and right to live with dignity, will promote dialogue and defeat the “virus” of “radical individualism” (FR 105). Every family needs to be protected with respect for its “primary and vital mission of education” (FT 114) with benevolence and solidarity (FT 112). All will have to fight against poverty and inequality (FT 115). Our God is universal love, and we are called to universal fraternity to share this love with an open heart, in an open world, without walls and divisions through social friendship, seeking what is morally good, and socially ethical. It is a call to solidarity, encounter and gratuitousness.
Only a heart open to the whole world (Ch. 4, FT 128-153), going beyond borders and their limits can bring healing in the world (FT 129-132). Through a fruitful exchange of reciprocal gifts of self and resources, a gratuitousness open to others, can there be solidarity and brotherhood (FT 137-141). This universal horizon of solidarity has to start with local region at the grass root level with a local flavour, thus connecting what is local with the universal (FT142-153). Only a heart that opens to the whole world, works in favour of universal fraternity. It does so by: welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants, whose lives are “at stake” (FT 37), and the marginalized; becoming aware that either we all are saved or no one; executing a global juridical, political, and economic order that favours the development of all peoples in solidarity.
To do so, gratuitously, we need to welcome strangers, without expecting tangible benefit; doing charity simply because they are good in themselves; serving without personal gain. For, “The true worth of the different countries of our world is measured by their ability to think as part of the larger human family. God always gives freely” (FT 139-141). All have rights to live with dignity in one’s own country. But those “fleeing grave humanitarian crises” must be given protection of citizens’ rights and assistance (FT 38-40) by granting visas; opening humanitarian corridors; assuring lodging, security and essential services; offering opportunities for employment; helping in family reunification; protecting minors; guaranteeing religious freedom and promoting social inclusion by avoiding the use of the term “minorities” (FT 129-131).
Any healthy culture of solidarity opens the minds and hearts to understand those who are different because differences represent an opportunity for growth (FT 133-135); in such universal fraternal communion, each human group discovers its own beauty; that this ‘limited human beings’ are limitless. As in a polyhedron – an image favorite to Francis – the whole is more than its parts, but each one of them is valued and respected (FT 145-146). It is possible to open to our neighbours within a family of nations. There is a need, therefore, for global governance, with long-term planning (FT 132) based on the principle of gratuitousness.
Next Week: Social friendship and Universal Fraternity with Dignity
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].