VATICAN: Pope Francis Emphasizes on Listening as a Means of Reconciliation
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
On Sunday, July 20, Pope Francis released a third video in preparation for the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR).
In the video clip under the sub-theme “To listen in order to be reconciled,” the Pontiff laments that the world has become a place where “everyone wants to be right” and where” there is no room for listening” since “all we do is talk.”
Pope Francis advises that “It is very important we listen to each other as a community,” since “it is only through humble attentive listening that we can truly be reconciled.”
The WDMR which is annually celebrated on the last Sunday of September, will this year be commemorated on Sunday, September 27, under the theme “Like Jesus Christ, forced to flee.”
Pope is asking the people of God to dedicate the day “to the pastoral care of the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) by welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating” them.
So far, prior to the WDMR, the Pontiff has released three videos under different sub-themes, the first video released Friday, May 15, reflecting on the sub-theme, “To know in order to understand”; the second video published Thursday, June 18, under the sub-theme, “To be close in order to serve” where he reminds the people of God “not to let fear and prejudices lead us to keep distant from others.”
The Pope will be releasing monthly reflections about migrants and refugees in preparation for the celebration in September.
