Editorial

An encyclical for all brothers and sisters

“If every human being possesses an inalienable dignity, if all people are my brothers and sisters, and if the world truly belongs to everyone, then it matters little whether my neighbor was born in my country or elsewhere” (Pope Francis, “Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship”).

Can a papal encyclical be controversial before anyone has read what it says? Unfortunately, yes.

Some criticized Pope Francis’s new encyclical before it was published because its title, “Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship”—which was taken from an expression of St. Francis of Assisi that is usually translated into English as “brothers” or “brethren”—seems to ignore women. Others feared that the pope would go too far in his criticism of contemporary society.

The Vatican was quick to point out that the new encyclical is dedicated to “fraternity” and “social friendship,” and is meant to be inclusive of all members of God’s family. The choice of the title “in no way intends to exclude women, that is, more than half of the human race,” the Vatican said. The Holy Father clearly addresses his message to “all his sisters and brothers, all men and women who populate the Earth: everyone, inclusively, and in no way exclusively.”

And while “Fratelli tutti” clearly offers a critique of individualism and indifference in society today, its vision is that of the universally beloved saint from Assisi who sought to unite all peoples in the spirit of love and friendship.

It’s a sign of our times that a letter written from the heart by one who cares deeply for all the people he has been called to serve has to be defended even before it’s been read. We are so quick to find fault with our leaders today that we assume that they have failed us before they can act or speak.

In fact, no one who reads “Fratelli tutti” can honestly say that it fails to include everyone. Or that it is divisive. Its whole purpose is to gather together all people regardless of gender, race, culture, nationality, economic or social status.

After all, its author is the man who at the height of the pandemic stood all by himself in an empty St. Peter’s Square in the pouring rain, and prayed for that “blessed common belonging” which makes us all sisters and brothers.

As Pope Francis writes in the beginning of his new encyclical:

“I offer this social encyclical as a modest contribution to continued reflection, in the hope that in the face of present-day attempts to eliminate or ignore others, we may prove capable of responding with a new vision of fraternity and social friendship that will not remain at the level of words. Although I have written it from the Christian convictions that inspire and sustain me, I have sought to make this reflection an invitation to dialogue among all people of good will” (“Fratelli tutti,” #6).

Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, welcomed the new encyclical calling it an important contribution to the Church’s rich tradition of social doctrine.

According to Archbishop Gomez, “Pope Francis’ teaching here is profound and beautiful: God our Father has created every human being with equal sanctity and dignity, equal rights and duties, and our Creator calls us to form a single human family in which we live as brothers and sisters.

“God’s plan for humanity, the pope reminds us, has implications for every aspect of our lives,” Archbishop Gomez said, “from how we treat one another in our personal relationships, to how we organize and operate our societies and economies.”

Archbishop Gomez continued: “In analyzing conditions in the world today, the Holy Father provides us with a powerful and urgent vision for the moral renewal of politics and political and economic institutions from the local level to the global level, calling us to build a common future that truly serves the good of the human person.”

Everyone should read “Fratelli tutti.” It is worthy of St. Francis of Assisi, the pope’s namesake, because its central theme is our unity with all creation and our solidarity with all members of the human family, all who have been made in the image and likeness of God.

Pope Francis concludes his new encyclical with two prayers: “A Prayer to the Creator,” and “An Ecumenical Christian Prayer.” Both call for a renewed sense of sisterhood and brotherhood among all members of the human family. Both seek “a more dignified world, a world without hunger, poverty, violence and war” wherein we can discover Christ in each person regardless of who they are or where they come from.

Let’s pray that “Fratelli tutti” will inspire us all to open our hearts to the beauty and joy of all God’s creation, and to love all our sisters and brothers in Christ.

—Daniel Conway