No Longer Slaves, But Brothers and Sisters

pope francis

pope francisPope Francis’ Message for World Day of Peace

Pope Francis’ message for World Day of Peace – 1 January 2015- is entitled “No longer slaves, but brothers and sisters.”  In this message we are reminded that we are called to live in relationships that are inspired by by justice and love so that the dignity, freedom and autonomy of all people is acknowledged and respected.  The Pope comments “Tragically, the growing scourge of man’s exploitation by man gravely damages the life of communion and our calling to forge interpersonal relations marked by respect, justice and love. This abominable phenomenon, which leads to contempt for the fundamental rights of others and to the suppression of their freedom and dignity, takes many forms. I would like briefly to consider these, so that, in the light of God’s word, we can consider all men and women ‘no longer slaves, but brothers and sisters.'”

The statement concludes with the following challenge: “We know that God will ask each of us: What did you do for your brother? (cf. Gen 4:9-10). The globalization of indifference, which today burdens the lives of so many of our brothers and sisters, requires all of us to forge a new worldwide solidarity and fraternity capable of giving them new hope and helping them to advance with courage amid the problems of our time and the new horizons which they disclose and which God places in our hands.” Download the Pope’s message here.

 

 

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