Saturday, June 22, 11th Week in Ordinary Time
ST. THOMAS MORE (England, 1478-1535), Widower, Lawyer, Writer, Chancellor of England, Martyr
Known in his lifetime as omnium horarum homo (a man for all seasons) because of his wide scholarship and knowledge). Educated in London and Oxford, he was a page for the Archbishop of Canterbury and became a Lawyer. Twice a widower, he was the father of one son and three daughters, and a devoted family man. Writer, most famously of the novel which coined the word Utopia. Known during his own day for his scholarship and great knowledge. Friend of King Henry VIII. Lord Chancellor of England from 1529 to 1532, a position of political power second only to the King. Fought any form of heresy, especially the incursion of Protestantism into England. Opposed the king on the matter of royal divorce, and refused to swear the Oath of Supremacy which declared the King head of the Church in England. Resigned the Chancellorship, and was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Beheaded for his refusal to bend his religious beliefs to the King’s political needs. Beatified in 1886 and canonized in 1935, he is considered the patron saint of lawyers and of politicians.
Readings for today's Mass:
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062212.cfm
AT THE VATICAN TODAY
Pope Francis met with
- His Highness Fra' Matthew Festing, Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and his delegation.
- Madame Rosandić Šarić, former Ambassador of Croatia to Argentina
- Rev. Fr. François-Xavier Dumortier, S.J., Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University.
- Pilgrims from the Diocese of Brescia.
One year ago...
Benedict XVI meet with Cardinal Lluís Martínez Sistach, Archbishop of Barcelona; Colombian bishops on ad-limina visit Groups 1 &2), whom he addressed in Spanish; participants in the National Assembly of the Coldiretti National Confederation (address in Italian); and Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (weekly meeting).
Pope to Italian agribusiness and fish farmers:
To overcome current crisis,
ethics must have primacy over other demands
Adapted and translated from the Italian service of
June 22, 2012
Coldiretti's educational publications promote the social doctrine of the Church.
The economic crisis presents agricultural and fish farmers with [unprecedented challenges that are certainly difficult' but they must be faced with 'a renewed and profound sense of responsibility manifested in solidarity and sharing", Pope Benedict XVI said today to participants in the national assembly of Coldiretti, the Italian confederation of farm entrepreneurs, representing a million and a half members operating on the national and European levels.
The Pope noted how the crisis has affected farming, in which the land itself has been devalued, and farmers have seen a drastic reduction in income. Losses have ranged from 8% for fruits to 32% for plant oil producers (mostly olive and sunflower oil).
"Considering that there is a moral crisis underlying the current economic difficulties", the Pope said, "do all you can so that ethical considerations maintain their primacy over all other demands".
He said there is a need to go to the roots of the crisis, "favoring the rediscovery of those spiritual values from which ideas, plans and works will flow", and therefore, ethics is the turnkey that will guarantee a better future for the next generations.
He said that the family, schools, unions and other political, cultural and civic institutions work together to stimulate and promote ethical standards, especially for young people. They are so full of ideas and hopes, they want to be able to build their own future but they expect valid examples and serious propositions from adults. We cannot disappoint their expectations".
In terms of the entrepreneur's social role, he said they should "carry out valid social policies in favor of the individual, and considering the crucial role of the family for all of society", deriving, he said, from the 'Christian roots that inspire Coldiretti'.
"You are called upon", he told them, "to instill a new consciousness and greater responsibility in the agricultural world", pursuing the common good, the dignity of the individual, along with honesty and transparency in providing services.
Coldiretti is the principal organization of farming entrepreneurs and 'direct farmers' [Coldiretti is short for 'coltivatori diretti'] In Italy and Europe. Now under president Sergio Marini, it represents all the agricultural enterprises found in Italy, with 19 regional federations, 97 provincial federations, 724 district offices and 5,668 peripheral branches.
