Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB looks back over a remarkable weekend in our tumultuous world, which included the publication of a new papal encyclical calling on us to come together to help each other through these crises, and gives us a summary of this historic document. (Image: Catholic News Service)

On a bright and fresh Monday morning, it's good to reflect on what has been an amazing weekend.

The 'London' Marathon took place with over 45,000 runners doing their 26.22 miles in over 100 countries across the globe—the carnival atmosphere that we traditionally associate with this huge fundraising event totally destroyed, as the rain lashed down on the London streets.

A President afflicted with COVID-19 decided to take a drive around from his hospital room to encourage his fans who stood vigil near the hospital. Though he had told the world earlier in the year that 'it' would be over by Easter and we could then flock to Church, he was now able to tell the world's media that now he actually knew what the virus was: he, like millions across the globe, was a victim of this silent virus that does not respect your wealth, colour or creed.

University students are again experiencing the effects of lockdown in what should be among the best years of their young lives—like so many, they are working and learning from home or their student accommodation, hoping that their broadband can cope and that Tesco or Asda can deliver.

The Premier League champions lost 7-2 to the 'struggling' Aston Villa, while Manchester United suffered a similar drubbing to Tottenham! The number one seed at the French Open lost to an unknown and unseeded Polish player. Surely the pandemic is not going to influence our sporting and social life? The sad truth is that it has: stadiums lie empty of fans as our sporting super-heroes are encouraged by a soundtrack that we would normally associate with video games.

Theatres are closed and we rely on streaming or TV to get our cultural fix, while Cineworld announced the closure of its entire cinema operation due to the lack of blockbuster movies being issued.

The British prime minister took to the Sunday chat shows to tell the nation it was only going to get worse and we could face a 'grim' Christmas; entrepreneurs across the world wondered why they didn't invest in hand sanitiser gel and masks this time last year!

As we begin the month of October we look back and see that our world has been totally turned upside town: the clanging bells of celebration that ushered in the new year of 2020 have become a funeral toll for the universal pain and suffering that all of us have experienced to some extent. We have vulnerable and sick relatives and friends, and we debate the rights and wrongs of going to see them. Due to the severity and unknown effects of Covid-19, simple events like a trip to the shops or a night out should involve a deep moral reflection: will my actions today harm others?

In the middle of all this, Pope Francis took a short, socially distanced pilgrimage to the home of his patron. St Francis of Assisi is perhaps best remembered for his love of animals and the love of the global family, which is expressed beautifully in his canticle or song of creation, revealing his inclusive world view that is very much at home in our modern desire to be 'green' and care for the planet (you can read it at the end of this article).

This trip was more than just a visit: at the tomb of the great St Francis, patron of animals and poverty, our Pope signed off on his latest encyclical letter, "Fratelli Tutti". The title of his letter to the whole Church family has caused some controversy, with critics claiming that he is addressing only the 'fratelli' ('brothers') and ignoring the 'sorelle' ('sisters').

However, Francis is using a phrase used daily by the saint himself: "Fratelli tutti"—Brothers (and sisters) all—was the greeting he used for all, as he considered all to be part of the great family of humanity. As the official Vatican newspaper was at pains to show in a recent editorial, Pope Francis was not intending to snub or demean women; this encyclical is a call to all, children, women and men of goodwill to reach out to each other, especially in a time of pandemic. We all are invited to make our world a better place by

recognizing a brother or sister in everyone we meet and, for Christians, recognizing the face of Jesus in the other who suffers…reaffirms the irreducible dignity of every human person created in the image of God.

Andrea Tornielli 'L'Osservatore Romano' 16/09/2020

Much will be written and spoken about this amazing document over the next few months and years; I pray that all of us join seminarians and students around the globe in a serious study of what Pope Francis asks of each of us. You could perhaps rely on the filtered thoughts of your parish priest or bishop, but how much more exciting it would be to read the words of the Pope himself. It is available online for free, so I invite you to read it yourself! (see 'More information' below). However, what can we take away today, especially after crazy weekends that might become even crazier?

St Francis wanted all to share in the care of the planet we inhabit; his 'Admonitions' show his care for all. This is especially needed as we grapple with this pandemic that has hit everyone on the planet to some degree. Pope Francis invites us to 'dream then as a single human family' (FT 8). His call flies in the face of a growing nationalism that we see across the globe; while our task is not to be party-political, we do well to remember that Don Bosco, living in a politically fractured time, said that our politics should be that of the 'Our Father'. I hope this brief guide will encourage you to read this excellent encyclical for yourself.

Chapter one: Dark Clouds over the World

We can certainly identify with this; some of us will have suffered the 'dark clouds' of not getting to the villa in France this summer because of lockdown. A 'cloud' that our sisters and brothers in India, Liberia or Bolivia would not have to share! The Pope reminds us of the curse of human trafficking, the evils of racism, the curse of sexism and global unemployment rates that will only become higher in these uncertain times. There is a renewal of that call made at World Youth Day in Panama, when he begged the young to be bridge-builders and not enclose their world with a series of walls:

builders of walls… sow fear (and) are looking to divide people and box them in

Pope Francis World Youth Day, Panama, 25/01/2019

Chapter two: Strangers on the Road

A favourite Gospel message lies at the heart of this chapter-the parable of the Good Samaritan. He was that unexpected stranger on the road who shows real love to the one attacked and left for dead. This is a call to be true neighbours and build up a true and just society and to see Christ is the face of all we meet, especially those who are excluded, abandoned, and hated.

Chapter three: Vision of an Open World

This is a call to move beyond our own selfish needs and interests; we do need to care (love) for self, but not at the exclusion of others. It is a call to solidarity: to see the needs of our sisters and brothers and to respect the gift of family. The Pope call on nations to respect each other: we are different families sharing the SAME planet. I suspect some modern world leaders will find this chapter 'challenging'!

Chapter four: A Heart Open to the Whole World

Much is made of migrants in the news today and some people can get very agitated by the sight of those who are seen as 'different' clamouring to gain entry through the asylum process—"send them back" is the common cry from this group. Others adopt an approach of welcome and inclusion as they strive to do what they can to integrate those from other lands and cultures into our society, through anything from language classes to sports' clubs. As the child of economic migrants myself, I share the Pope's concern for those who are just trying to make a better life for their families, while recognising his plea to improve the poverty of their homelands. There is a call for an integrated approach and for national governments to come TOGETHER for a joint plan

Chapter five: A Better Kind of politics

Pope Francis argues that the TRUE politician is one who is there to serve and enhance the lives of the community that they serve. It is not about kickbacks, cash in brown envelopes or just wanting to serve your family and friends. A true politician wants to serve the common good: it is not a politics that serve a particular class or interest group. He asks national politicians to work together, across the globe, to end human trafficking and hunger; as we have seen in these past few weeks in the UN virtual Sessions, we do have a natural group that can take this task on. With a proper reform of the United Nations Organisation, we have the means to see an effective global partnership.

Chapter six: Dialogue and Friendship.

While we normally associate the phrase 'jaw-jaw is better than war-war' with the great wartime leader, Sir Winston Churchill, it was actually coined by another British prime minister, Harold Macmillan during a visit to Australia. However, the sentiment is important and is picked up in this chapter of the encyclical: we all learn from each other. Pope Francis recognises the dignity of each person because God does not create rubbish; he asks that we all share the 'miracle of kindness' and let our individual lights shine out fully. We certainly see that during these times of pandemic, and pray that this attitude of kindness continues to mark who we are.

Chapter seven: Renewed Encounter.

Here the Pope pleads with us to work for PEACE and RECONCILIATION: when we see how far North Ireland and South African have come along this road, we can see that it is not an impossible dream. If we love without exception, then wars and disputes become a thing of the past. The Gospel is a challenge to love the oppressor and to forgive just as Jesus was prepared to. There is a reality here too, as true forgiveness does not mean we have to forget the hurt or pain caused by the oppressor or bully; true forgiveness shows that we are the bigger person and we renounce the evil of revenge. We can never forget the Holocaust or the indiscriminate bombings at Hiroshima, Dresden, or Coventry—nor should we. War must be consigned to the chapters of our history, with the Pope making an exciting demand: use the money spent on weapons to end global hunger! The encyclical once again affirms the dignity of life from conception to natural death: the death penalty is wrong because it does not respect life. We can debate the morality of this issue for as long as we want to, but the dignity of life cannot be compromised.

Chapter eight: Religion and Fraternity

Once again, we are reminded that terrorism is not due to a particular religion, no matter how loud various politicians may shout. Terrorists of all persuasions have used the Bible, Quran, or other religious texts to justify their evil. We need to ensure religious freedom for all, recognising that with our RIGHTS come RESPONSIBILITIES. As a Church, we have a right to dialogue with all national politics, while not becoming an agent of a particular political party. With elections looming in various parts of the world, it is hoped that Bishops and clergy especially read this section carefully. We work with all children, women, and men of goodwill to build up this shared space that we inhabit. In a ground-breaking apostolic visit to the United Arab Emirates, as part of an outreach to the Muslim world in early 2019, Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, issued a joint letter, asking Catholics and Muslims to work together. This is being done across our land—in foodbanks, charity shops, schools and football matches, if you are lucky enough to be still playing. In 'Fratelli Tutti', the Pope sees this document as template for all of us, no matter our creed, colour, education, or wealth: to work together to build up the family of humanity:

we resolutely declare that religions must never incite war, hateful attitudes, hostility and extremism, nor must they incite violence or the shedding of blood. These tragic realities are the consequence of a deviation from religious teachings. They result from a political manipulation of religions and from interpretations made by religious groups who, in the course of history, have taken advantage of the power of religious sentiment in the hearts of men and women in order to make them act in a way that has nothing to do with the truth of religion. This is done for the purpose of achieving objectives that are political, economic, worldly and short-sighted. We thus call upon all concerned to stop using religions to incite hatred, violence, extremism and blind fanaticism, and to refrain from using the name of God to justify acts of murder, exile, terrorism and oppression. We ask this on the basis of our common belief in God who did not create men and women to be killed or to fight one another, nor to be tortured or humiliated in their lives and circumstances. God, the Almighty, has no need to be defended by anyone and does not want His name to be used to terrorize people.

'A Document on Human Fraternity: for World Peace and Living Together'

Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb 04/02/2019

Canticle of the Sun

O Most High, all-powerful, good Lord God,
to you belong praise, glory,
honour and all blessing.
Be praised, my Lord, for all your creation
and especially for our Brother Sun,
who brings us the day and the light;
he is strong and shines magnificently.
O Lord, we think of you when we look at him.
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon,
and for the stars
which you have set shining and lovely
in the heavens.
Be praised, my Lord,
for our Brothers Wind and Air
and every kind of weather
by which you, Lord,
uphold life in all your creatures.
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water,
who is very useful to us,
and humble and precious and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire,
through whom you give us light in the darkness:
he is bright and lively and strong.
Be praised, my Lord,
for Sister Earth, our Mother,
who nourishes us and sustains us,
bringing forth
fruits and vegetables of many kinds
and flowers of many colours.
Be praised, my Lord,
for those who forgive for love of you;
and for those
who bear sickness and weakness
in peace and patience
- you will grant them a crown.
Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Death,
whom we must all face.
I praise and bless you, Lord,
and I give thanks to you,
and I will serve you in all humility.

St Francis of Assisi