So much to chew on with the release of Francis’ new exhortation: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20231004-laudate-deum.html
To start with I’m offering this quick video reflection after my first read because I want to make a public commitment to you.
There are no lasting changes without cultural changes. There are no cultural changes without personal changes.
I love how Francis integrates a critique of meritocracy with questions about the meaning of life and the purpose of all of our work and efforts.
I am so grateful for his critique of the technocratic paradigm and his clarity about how the economy and how we conceive of it is central to how we’ve gotten here.
Here is a quote from paragraph 55:
when there was a will, very significant results were obtained, as was the case with the protection of the ozone layer.
Yet, the necessary transition towards clean energy sources such as wind and solar energy, and the abandonment of fossil fuels, is not progressing at the necessary speed.
Consequently, whatever is being done risks being seen only as a ploy to distract attention
He concludes by saying we need new processes that should be marked by 3 characteristics:
- Drastic
- Intense
- Count on the commitment of all
So, my commitment is to fully divest from the stock market.
Before the end of 2024, I want to pull my money out of every company that has not developed a serious plan for moving at the pace that is needed.
the actions of groups negatively portrayed as “radicalized” tend to attract attention. But in reality they are filling a space left empty by society as a whole, which ought to exercise a healthy “pressure”, since every family ought to realize that the future of their children is at stake.
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Will you join me and helping me make it to my goal?
What is your commitment?
What can I help you with?
Would you agree to join me for a time to re-read this letter? (And allow it to sink in and shape our hearts?)
[we need] strategists capable of considering the common good and the future of their children, more than the short-term interests of certain countries or businesses [or families or organizations].
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I’ll conclude with gratitude for faith and all the faithful people that have shown me generosity, love, justice and solidarity.
we know that authentic faith not only gives strength to the human heart, but also transforms life, transfigures our goals and sheds light on our relationship to others and with creation as a whole.
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