Vatican spokesman: educate toward justice and peace, not relativism
January 02, 2012
Echoing the theme of Pope Benedict’s message for the 45th World Day of Peace, the director of the Holy See Press Office devoted his weekly editorial to the education of youth in justice and peace.
Referring to the Arab Spring and the youthful protestors of Spain, England, and the United States who captured media attention in 2011, Father Federico Lombardi said that parents, teachers, politicians, and those involved in the media should “convey guidance towards those values on which a just and peaceful society is built, and help those steps of cultural growth and social insertion that come close to this target.”
“If those values are destroyed by relativism and by an exaltation of arbitrary freedom,” he continued, “if they are not proposed with concrete testimonials of honesty, commitment and solidarity--let us also say, of love--then tomorrow there will be neither justice nor peace.”
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Further information:
- Lombardi editorial: "Education and peace" (Vatican Radio)
- The Popes and the World Day of Peace (background) (CWN, 12/30)
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Posted by: dover beachcomber -
Jan. 02, 2012 6:53 PM ET USA
"Cultural growth and social insertion?" "The values on which a just society is built?" This all reeks of secular humanism, not a genuinely Catholic approach. The Arab Spring, the Occupy movement, the rioters in Europe -- none of these based their actions on a sound relationship with Jesus Christ. What's to be done, then? The same thing that's always to be done: preach the Gospel to all nations, baptizing them... you know the rest. Let's get on with it.
