"How to be a better neighbour" - Summary of 'Fratelli Tutti'

 

Written by Dr. Edward Edezhath

‘All brethren’ is definitely a prophetic voice for today’s problematic world

The news that Pope Francis is releasing his third encyclical last October 3rd in Assisi, Italy was announced with much significance by the world media. The next day newspapers highlighted that the theme of the encyclical written in Spanish,  was the various issues in today’s world. I got a call from a gulf country the very same day. “Brother, it’s being heard that the Pope’s new encyclical is revolutionary. Few of us would like to study it in detail. Could you please help us?” That young man also suggested a plan. “We are all working professionals, but we could indeed wake up early and come an online platform to discuss on this daily. If we are able to gather continuously for 30 days, we could finish studying the 287 chapters of this encyclical.” Accordingly, we started the learning process on October 6th. One of us would daily summarize & present 10 to 15 paragraphs. Then everyone would read it the same day and discuss it in detail the next day. It was really a fruitful study journey.

This ‘Social proclamation’ consists of an intro and eight chapters, concluded by two prayers. The title is taken from the words of Francis of Assisi in the Italian language.  The main inspiration the Pope emphasizes is the visit to Abu Dhabi in February 2019, the meeting with Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb and the subsequent Universal Fraternity declaration. In addition, Pope also mentions he has taken inspiration from Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu, Mahatma Gandhi and others who have dedicated their life standing for universal goodwill. Pope also mentions about Charles de Foucauld’s life who considered everyone as brothers.

Life’s challenges and Universal problems of today 

The Online discussion I mentioned was planned for 45 minutes every morning. But often it was not easy to conclude the discussions on time. It’s indeed so, as Pope is writing about brotherhood and its challenges. This document discusses divisions, irreverence, conflicts in all of our houses, surroundings, societies and workplaces. Divisions within religions, within communities, confrontations within countries are also topics discussed in this document. The challenges that arise from the views of Pope are not mild. He puts forward a radical change in the level of relationships through the basics of Christian thoughts. 

Pope Francis speaks about the important problems that the world faces through the first chapter titled 'Dark Clouds in a Closed world’. Globalization makes us neighbours, but not brothers & sisters. Depression and lack of enthusiasm now spreads in entire societies. Politics which doesn’t consider the common good, divisions between people, lack of interest in nature conservation, the tendency to avoid elderly, vulnerable and the poor by saying to them “We don’t need your presence”, the situation of the greyish community as there’s no more children, all of these continue to cast shadows in today’s society.

The discussions about the second chapter was interesting for everyone. Titled as ‘The stranger on the road’, this is a reflection on the Good Samaritan parable shared by Jesus in the gospel of Luke. Pope discusses the victim who lies injured on the road, the foreign stranger who approaches to help him and the other characters as well. In my attitudes and habits, whom I resemble more, he asks. We are either the victims or the neighbour who helps. If I am not of these, then we are either the one who robs or the one who ignores and passes by. Pope emphasizes that the words of Jesus ‘You too do the same’ challenges us to be service minded in the circumstances of today’s challenges. 

Practical suggestions for solving problems

In the next chapters, Pope puts forward new attitudes and practical suggestions. From the third chapter ‘Envisaging and Engendering an Open World’ these perspectives get more detailed. He makes it clear that ‘No one can live alone’, ‘Change in the wall culture’, ‘I can only bond with myself if I bond with brothers’, and ‘If I live as an island then there is no life, but death that forefronts us.

In our group, what became a hot debate is the words of Pope referring to ‘Private Property’. He quotes from the words of St. John Chrysostom: ‘Not to share our wealth with the poor is to rob them and take away their livelihood.’ It is not enough we live as supporters, but as brothers. The mentality that ‘My’, ‘mine’ and everything related are the most important should change. In the chapter ‘A heart open to the whole world’, Pope challenges the approaches that are being strengthened by placing borders and limits. Sharing and caring is actually part of our heart’s desire. It is important to develop universalism without ignoring the local flavours and resources.

The fifth chapter strongly opposes the common trend of harshly criticizing the politicians. Pope speaks about the importance of politics and the necessity to create healthy politics under the title 'A better kind of politics'. He also highlights that Politics is one of the highest forms of Charity. Only a political act based on love & suffering can today bring a solution to the problems faced by the society and the world. 

The focus in the sixth chapter is the importance of dialogue and friendship in society. The culture of meeting and communicating with others should be cultivated; we should accept our differences with joy; love and goodwill should be possible without deviating from the truth.

The different views of how peace can be restored is explored in the seventh chapter. All of us were surprised to read the statement that we should not forget some of the injustice that happened in the past; having just gone through the challenging talks of reconciliation, and the mentality of forgiveness. However, everyone finally came to terms with it. Further, the strong suggestion to stop all kinds of wars was a topic of much debate. Few could not accept the thought of completely abolishing the death penalty. Nevertheless, a person who turns into a murderer shouldn’t be deprived of his human dignity. It's important to understand this point which has been strongly recommended today by Pope Francis and other popes before him in the exact context. 

The final chapter is titled 'Religions at the service of Fraternity in the world'. Sincere  worship should lead towards respect for the sacredness of life and respect for the dignity, freedom and welfare of mankind.  No religion promotes violence and terrorism. Quoting from the declaration signed along with the Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Pope Francis says : ' Religions must pledge for brotherhood and world peace. Religious leaders should work together. Countries and societies should come together to stop all existing globalisation of intolerance.'

A challenge for an in-depth change of mind  

The four-week study along with the youth of the gulf country was not at all tedious, but on the contrary, it was leading to much stirring and strong decisions. It was indeed a great call repeatedly emphasized by the Pope to realize that all humans, be it he, she or anyone, possesses great dignity whether in the home, workplace or in the neighbourhood. We should build relationships with them recognizing them as they are, beyond all their differences. All of them were agreeing that they now understand that it is his or her responsibility as a Christian to be of service to the society. Along with that, one another thought that came up was if only more people were aware of 'Fratelli Tutti'! There is no doubt that these thoughts would create huge waves in entire societies in the coming days.