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An “Intrinsically Feminine” Theology

An “Intrinsically Feminine” Theology

8 Jun 2017 | Non categorizzato

Anne-MariePellettier

Anne-Marie Pelletier

Thirteen theologians from nine countries, including Brazil, Canada, Philippines, France, Germany, Italy Kenya, Syria and USA, have held the second international seminar to elaborate an “intrinsically feminine theology”. It was held at the Urbaniana University in response to repeated invitation by Pope Francis who on several times underscored the need for a “profound theology of the woman” so that this field would not be deprived of the female prospective. Last year’s theme was Heart and this year’s, Tears. Are heart and tears purely feminine qualities? Tears are a gift given to everyone, women and men alike. Jesus himself wept over the death of his dear friend Lazarus. The presentations brought out the feminine manner – “far from stereotyped suffering” – of facing up to “unhappiness and desperation and of introducing into hell the balm of compassion or, better, consolation,” stated Anne-Marie Pelletier. Her words silhouetted the figure of Zabel Essayan, the Armenian woman from the late 1800s, graduate of Sorbonne University and well known in literary circles of the Turkish capital at the beginning of the 1900s. She went to Cilicia as a member of the Red Cross, tasked by the Armenian Patriarchate to investigate the atrocities that were perpetrated, as well as to organize assistance for the countless orphans who were wondering with a few elderly survivors among the ruins of Adana.   With her eyes washed in tears, she was able to “see” clearly the abysmal sorrow and unhappiness and, through the eyes of the survivors who had gone mad from the horror, she managed to restore the story of the dead, which the assassins had meant to obliterate. “What could we give in front of that misery as vast as the ocean?, asks Zabel. There is no room for consolation in Adana, but only for compassion. In history, in the life of the world, there are also places that are inconsolable.” But another figure closer to us in time also stood out in the French theologian’s presentation: Etty Hillesum. She also wished to accompany the tragic journey of her own people, not out of some desire for sacrifice or altruism, but because of the awareness of the history into which she was inserted and from which she had to accept the challenges. Etty feels powerless, but continues to believe that life, in spite of it all, is good, beautiful and should be listened to without ever letting oneself  be overcome by the evidence of evil. In her looms the concern for others, an altruism accompanied by gestures of compassion and solidarity. Even when the other is God: “If God ceases to help me, it will be up to me to help God. He himself demands to be consoled.” A great personality from the Brazilian culture, Maria Clara Lucchetti Bingemer, emerged from the extraordinary beauty of the Atacama Desert in Chile where archeologists and astronomers explore the mysteries of nature and the traces of history. But it is also where the Mujeres de Calama, women have searched for the remains of their loved ones that were tortured and killed during the military dictatorship that governed the country from 1973 for 16 long years. The desert – unique in the world  for its climactic conditions – conserved those bodies and, thanks to these unrelenting women, is restoring them to our feelings and to history. Also Argentina, with its thirty six million missing persons, sees women as protagonists. They are the ones that played a fundamental role in destabalizing the pitiless military dictatorship. They were called Las locas, the crazy women when, in 1977, they began to walk in circles in front of the Casa Rosada capital building, to weep over their dead children. Over time they came to be known as the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, the mothers of May Plaza. They have come up with powerful symbols, such as the white kerchief they wear on their heads, as well as a “pacifist” but unending battle. Other women have joined them, spiritual mothers, nuns, several of whom paid with their own lives in the struggle against the dictatorship. “What is the secret to the extraordinary fruitfulness of Chiara Lubich, who gave birth to a work so vast and universal, in just a few short years? How was she able to make any inroads inside a pre-Vatican and Italian Church, and resist with a model of the Christian life that provoked suspicion in many because of the way it engaged people from all states of life, lay people and Religious, men and women? The secret lies in what Chiara Lubich referred to as Jesus crucified and forsaken.” This is how Florence Gillet begins her presentation on Jesus Forsaken in the Thought and Experience of Chiara Lubich.” Gillet was followed by a touching experience by Syrian, Mirvet Kelli. In her union with Jesus Forsaken, she was able to find the strength to stand by the Iraqi people during the years of the war. The absolute novelty and powerful impact of this basic point of the spirituality of unity really emerged in the small-group meetings.

Maria Rita Cerimele

Source: Città Nuova

Women and universal brotherhood

7 Jun 2017 | Non categorizzato

“The role of women in the education towards universal brotherhood,” is the theme of the plenary session of the Pontifical Council for interreligious Dialogue, programmed for 7-9 June, in Rome. The event will highlight four Conferences: Sr. Nuria Calduch-Benages, Spanish biblist will speak about “Women educators in universal brotherhood,”  Sr. Raffaella Petrini, professor in the Social Doctrine of the Church, will focus on “Women’s qualities against the technocratic paradigm: a Catholic and social perspective on the contribution of women to fraternity;” Marie Derain, French lawyer and infancy civil defence attorney will discuss the theme “Building peace: the role of women ;” and then Clare Amos, of the Ecumenical Council of Churches will expound on “the role of women in education in universal brotherhood.” The participants will be received by the Pope.  

World Environment Day

5 Jun 2017 | Non categorizzato

June 5: World Environment Day is celebrated (W.E.D., World Environment Day). The date was chosen by the United Nations to remind the Stockholm Conference on the Environment in 1972, where the United Nations Environment Program was drafted. The Day has become an occasion to stimulate global attention and knowledge of environmental issues. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the health of the Earth, our common home, but also to actively promote a healthy co-existence among all its inhabitants.

A task for each day to protect the environment

A task for each day to protect the environment

5 Jun 2017 | Non categorizzato

Earthcube_ENAt a time when many are panicking over Blue Whale that has gone viral, finally a different kind of equally contagious game…and a much more positive one! On the web or in a more traditional way, with paper and scissors, there is a game that helps to keep the planet healthy and liveable. First move: click here (a move to the web is required for traditionalists too!). At this point, the indisputable star, the “Dice” or Cube, will remind us every time we take a chance with the most famous game of chance ever made: six possibilities and a bit of luck. Whether you cast it online or you cut it out and build it with your own hands (good for smaller children), this new Cube offers much more. Each side is a small (but great) invitation to respect the environments of the earth on which we live – and its inhabitants. A small compendium of ecology and social relations good for any age, promoted by the EcoOne Ecological/Cultural Project that has spread to 180 countries and recently put experts, researchers and professionals online introducing Environmental topics. There’s only one difference: it’s no theory, but an immediate invitation act each and every day. For example? Well, one side of the dice says: “Discover unbelievable things!”. The world is full of incredible things, from the majestic heights of snow-capped mountains to the depths of the endless seas, from the countless variety of plants to every living thing, even the most tiny things that share the same planet. Every detail in nature fills us with astonishment and wonder, and inspires gratitude for the Creator. What can I do this day to see the world with such eyes? Earthcube-01Another toss, another side: “Smile at the world!” Nothing better than positive actions makes the world a better place to live in. Whether its recycling trash or reusing unused objects, not wasting water or turning off the lights, carpooling to reduce gas emissions or caring for  a small public garden – it’s enough to think that each and each action has a consequence. The next side: “We’re all connected!” Each thing on the planet is in relationship with all the rest: a factory that puffs smoke, a contaminated water flow, a plastic bottle forgotten on the shore. Every great or small action has a consequence, for good or for bad. How can I build positive connections? The game goes on and never ends: “Now is the moment”. How many times have we said, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” but then did nothing? The world can’t stand by and wait while we keep putting it off! I have to act now and begin again every time I fall. “Only what you need!” Just like a plant that draws from the ground only what it needs to grow, so must we learn to distinguish between needs and desires, reducing to the maximum the negative impact of our actions and amplifying the positive. And finally, “Everything is a gift”. How can I protect everything around me so that future generations can enjoy it? Fortunately die-hard players are many. “Only what you need” was the Earth Cube’s tip for today. And so my day began with a “timed” shower – getting out of the shower before the timer went off – then recycling and reusing paper at work, followed by a lighter lunch than usual. Okay, maybe they’re just small things, but at least I kept going at 100%!” (San Paolo, Brazil) “We’re all interconnected!” is what I read on the Cube today, after tossing it. I remembered that I had left the lights on in the house, so I went back and turned them of before going out for the night. I also turned off the computer. The little things I do really do have an impact on others!” (Nairobi, Kenya) “The Time Is Now“ … Let’s roll the dice! Never has a game been so serious and fascinating at the same time.

“Thank you for working for Christian unity”

“Thank you for working for Christian unity”

3 Jun 2017 | Non categorizzato

Emmaus e CarismaticiWhen greeting the participants, the Pope said: “Thank you for what you do, working for Christian unity all together as the Lord wishes. Let us walk together, let us help the poor together, charity together, education together. All together”. He continued: “And may theologians carry out their work and help us too. But we, always walking, never still, never still… and together. This is what I wish for, and I thank you because I know you do this.” Maria Voce, who was among the evangelical leaders invited for this audience, comments: “It was a brief but a personal encounter; the Pope greeted each one of us. We were in the Consistory Hall, and he wanted us to be in the form of a circle to greet each one of us personally. Then he just stopped with us for a couple of minutes; he wanted to show his gratitude for this visit. He was pleased about it; he felt it as a sign of esteem and affection. He expressed his desire that we walk together. He said that this ecumenism is walking together and he thanked the participants because, he said ‘I know that you do this’. He urged us to keep on walking together. Theologians will help us understand the differences and find a way to overcome them, but the most important thing is that we walk together because it is God’s will that we all be one. This was his message. He was very relaxed and very pleased to meet everyone.” Pope Francis said that he would meet the participants in the afternoon at Circus Maximus. On the eve of Pentecoste, an event is being organized by the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services and the Catholic Fraternity to celebrate the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Golden Jubilee. Press Release