Fratelli tutti – Book Discussion (Entire Series) (Via Zoom)

January 14, 21, 28, February 11, 18, 25, March 11, 18, 25, 6:30pm-7:45pm Central Time.

No charge (Donations accepted). Participants may sign-up for the entire series or for individual sessions.

Registration Deadline: January 12 (for entire series)

Zoom links will be sent out one day prior to each session.

Fratelli tutti (Brothers and Sisters all!) is the encyclical signed by Pope Francis on October 4, 2020 in Assisi, Italy. In it, he proposes great ideals but also tangible ways to build a more just and fraternal world in ordinary ways – in relationships, in social life, in politics and in institutions.

You are welcome to participate in some or all of the sessions, each one hour in length. Please register to receive the Zoom link.

January 14 – Introduction of Fratelli tutti by Bill Huebsch, acclaimed scholar and theologian.

In his most recent encyclical, Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis elaborates on the teachings of John Paul II and Benedict XVI in elucidation on the application of the Church’s Social Teaching to today’s world. Coming from both a Jesuit and Franciscan inheritance, his contribution is unique in several areas. Will his critique of over wrought nationalism and a sole focus on market results have resonance in the United States? This lecture will explore some of these dimensions and how the theory and practice of social friendship gives a path forward in a time of pandemic.

January 21 – Chapter One: Dark Clouds over a Closed World

This chapter reflects on the many distortions on the contemporary era: manipulations of democracy, loss of meaning, indifference to the common good, disparity of rights, women subjugation, and more.

January 28 – Chapter Two: A Stranger on the Road

This chapter begins with the Good Samarian story of an unhealthy society turning its back on the suffering, frail, and vulnerable. It is a call to become neighbors, build bridges and be co-responsible.

February 11 – Chapter Three: Envisaging and Engendering an Open World

In this chapter, Francis exhorts us to go “outside the self” in order to find “a fuller existence in another”. Lives need to be measured by love. It is a call to consider the ethics of international relations, foreign debt, and private property.

February 18 – Chapter Four: A Heart Open to the Whole World

This chapter addresses migration with a heart open to those fleeing due of war, hunger, or natural catastrophizes, whose lives are endangered, causing a grave humanitarian crisis.

February 25 – Chapter Five: A Better Kind of Politics

Francis suggests that the task of politics is to find a solution to all that attack the fundamental human rights such as social exclusion, sexual exploitation, crime, terrorism, and more. The politics we need are centered on human dignity.

March 11 – Chapter Six: Dialogue and Friendship in Society

This chapter centers on the concept of life as an “art of encounter” with everyone, including those living on the peripheries because we can “each learn something from each other”. No one is useless, no one is expendable. Kindness is the attitude to be recovered.

March 18 – Chapter Seven: Paths of Renewed Encounter

Here Francis underlines that peace is connected to truth, justice, and mercy. Far from the desire for vengeance, it is proactive and aims at forming a society based on service to others and on the pursuit of reconciliation and mutual development. All must do their part.

March 25 – Chapter Eight: Religions at the Service of Fraternity in Our World

In this final chapter, the Pope focuses on religions. He emphasizes that terrorism is not due to religion, but due to erroneous interpretation of the religious texts as well as policies of hunger, poverty, injustice, and oppression.

ATTENTION: Program titles containing: (Via Zoom), please read below.

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