General audience: the complementarity between man and woman

Vatican City, 15 April 2015 (VIS) – Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the family by dedicating this morning's general audience to the difference and complementarity between man and woman, recalling first of all that the Book of Genesis insists that both are the image and semblance of God. “Not only man as such, not only woman as such, but rather man and woman, as a couple, are the image of God. The difference between them is not a question of contrast or subordination, but instead of communion and generation, always in the image and semblance of God”.

“Experience teaches us that for the human being to know him- or herself well and to grow harmoniously, there is a need for reciprocity between man and woman”, said the Pope to the thirty thousand faithful present in St. Peter's Square. “When this does not happen, we see the consequences. We are made to listen to each other and to help each other. We can say that, without mutual enrichment in this relationship – in terms of thought and action, in personal relationships and in work, and also in faith – the two cannot even fully understand what it means to be a man and a woman”.

“Modern and contemporary culture has opened up new spaces, new freedoms and new depths for the enrichment and understanding of this difference. But it has also introduced many doubts and much scepticism. I wonder, for example, if so-called gender theory is not an expression of frustration and resignation, that aims to cancel out sexual difference as it is no longer able to face it. Yes, we run the risk of taking step backwards. Indeed, the removal of difference is the problem, not the solution. To solve their problems in relating to each other, men and women must instead speak more, listen more, know each other better, value each other more. They must treat each other with respect and cooperate in friendship. With these human bases, supported by God's grace, it is possible to plan a lifelong matrimonial and family union. The marriage and family bond is a serious matter for all, not only for believers. I would like to encourage intellectuals not to ignore this theme, as if it were secondary to our efforts to promote a freer and more just society”.

“God has entrusted the earth to the alliance between man and woman; its failure makes our emotional life arid and obscures the heaven of hope. The signs are already worrying, and we can see them. I would like to indicate due points, among many, that I believe must concern us with greater urgency”.

“Undoubtedly we must do far more in favour of women, if we want to strengthen to the reciprocity between men and women. Indeed, it is necessary for a woman not only to be listened to, but also for her voice to carry real weight, recognised authority, in society and in the Church. The way in which Jesus Himself regarded women, in a context that was far less favourable than our own, casts a powerful light illuminating a road that takes us far, on which we have travelled only a short distance. It is a road we must travel with more creativity and boldness”.

He added, “a second point relates to the theme of man and woman created in God's image. I wonder if the crisis of collective trust in God, that is so harmful to us, that causes us to ail with resignation to incredulity and cynicism, is not also connected to the crisis in the alliance between man and woman. In effect, the biblical account, with the great symbolic fresco of earthly paradise and original sin, tells us precisely that communion with God is reflected in the communion of the human couple, and the loss of trust in the heavenly Father generates division and conflict between man and woman”.

“This leads to the great responsibility of the Church, of all believers, and above all of Christian families, to rediscover the beauty of the Creator's plan that inscribes the image of God also in the alliance between man and woman. The earth is filled with harmony and trust when the alliance between man and woman is lived well. And if men and women seek this together between them and with God, without doubt they will find it. Jesus explicitly encourages us to bear witness to this beauty, which is the image of God”, concluded the Pontiff.

Pope's telegram for the death of Cardinal Roberto Tucci, S.J.

Vatican City, 15 April 2015 (VIS) – The Holy Father has sent a telegram of condolences to Fr. Adolfo Nicolas Pachon, superior general of the Society of Jesus, for the death of Cardinal Roberto Tucci, S.J., yesterday afternoon in Rome at the age of 93.

In the text, the Pope expresses his heartfelt condolences and recalls with gratitude the prelate's valuable service over several decades as director of “Civilta Cattolica”, expert at Vatican Council II, director general of Vatican Radio and in particular as coordinator of papal trips outside Italy. “He leaves us with the memory of an industrious and dynamic life, spent in the coherent and generous fulfilment of his vocation as a religious man mindful of the needs of others, and a pastor faithful to the Gospel and to the Church, following the example of St. Ignatius. I raise fervent prayers that the Lord might receive him in joy and eternal peace, and I offer you and to your Jesuit brethren the consolation of my apostolic blessing, the sign of my intense participation in our sorrow”.

Ninth meeting of the Council of Cardinals

Vatican City, 15 April 2015 (VIS) – The ninth meeting of the Council of Cardinals (C9), which began on 13 April, was brought to a close this afternoon, according to a briefing by the director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J.

The Council of Cardinals dedicated the majority its work regarding reform of the Roman Curia to two aspects: reflections on the methodologies to be followed for work during 2015 and 2016 in order to be able to effectively accomplish the task of preparing the new Constitution, and a rereading of the interventions by the Cardinals in relation to reform of the Curia made during the recent Consistory (there were over sixty interventions on this theme with useful indications and cues, both for the prologue of the constitution and for specific aspects of reform).

The orientation towards the constitution of two dicasteries – one competent in fields of charity, justice and peace, the other regarding the laity, families and life – would appear to be confirmed.

The Council also focused on the issue of the reorganisation of Vatican media, following the submission of the final report of the Commission presided over by Lord Chris Patten.

It is expected that the Pope will constitute a Commission to consider how the recommendations of the report can be put into practice. This body will also include members of the Patten Commission, to ensure continuity.

Finally, Cardinal O'Malley, president of the new Commission for the Protection of Minors, under the auspices of the same Commission, has proposed that the Pope and the Council consider the theme of “Accountability” with regard to the protection of minors, in order to establish appropriate procedures and methods for evaluating and judging cases of “abuse of office” in this area, especially on the part of persons holding responsibility within the Church.

Further meetings of the Council of Cardinals are scheduled to take place from 8 to 10 June, 14 to 16 September and 10 to 12 December 2015.

Other Pontifical Acts

Vatican City, 15 April 2015 (VIS) – The Holy Father has appointed:

- Bishop Wilson Luis Angotti Filho, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, as bishop of Taubate (area 4,534, population 692,000, Catholics 592,000, priests 123, permanent deacons 55, religious 433), Brazil. He succeeds Bishop Carmo Joao Rhoden, S.C.I., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese upon reaching the age limit was accepted by the Holy Father.

- Msgr. Oriolo dos Santos as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Belo Horizonte (area 7,222, population 4,785,000, Catholics 3,350,000, priests 771, permanent deacons 16, religious 2,465), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Itajuba, Brazil in 1964 and was ordained a priest in 1990. He holds degrees in philosophy from the University of Campinas and in marking and strategic personnel management from the “Gama Filho” University in Rio de Janeiro. He has served in a number of pastoral roles in the archdiocese of Pouso Alegre, including parish vicar, parish priest, canon of the metropolitan chapter, episcopal vicar for the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, promotor of justice of the ecclesiastical tribunal, and professor of philosophy at the archdiocesan seminary. He is currently parish priest of the Cathedral of Pouso Alegre.