"This ideology whose origins can be traced back to the Age of Enlightenment," he explained, "encourages separation from one another and from the community and brings us towards other means of individual and independent living."

Drawing on the encyclical Laudato Si', Parolin pointed to the connectedness of the entire worldwide human family.

He said that, while it may be obvious on one level that we all share a common home if this truth is accepted, there are ethical implications for everyone.

Parolin asked for a deep-seated conversion of attitudes towards God's gift of creation.

He said while politicians and policymakers have a special responsibility, everyone needs to practise responsible and modest living.

He asked those present to do all that is possible to overturn the globalisation of indifference.

In today's world, he said, we cannot set up frontiers to hide from global responsibility.

The cardinal said he had wanted to come to Papua New Guinea because of growing concerns about a nuclear and weapons-free world which come with the responsibility to protect and improve people's lives across the globe.

Despite the rain, over 300 religious and lay people, accompanied by Church leaders, gave the cardinal a colourful ceremonial welcome at Port Moresby's Jackson International Airport.

Gifts of betel-nut and a live chicken were presented to him by Papuan dancers.

"I come as Secretary of State of His Holiness Pope Francis and I know that your welcome is also a sign of your affection for him," said Parolin.

"The Holy Father asked me to assure you of his closeness and his prayers for your country. Let us hope we can share in these days a good experience of the love of God," he said.

The 4-yearly assembly is taking place in Port Moresby from 11 to 18 April.

More than 80 bishops from the Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Australia and New Zealand are attending the meeting.

Source

• heraldmalaysia.com
• vaticannews.va
• mediablog.catholic.org.au
• Supplied: Fr Ambrose Pereira SDB
• Image: vaticannews.va

But it would be no surprise if anyone attending the opening Mass thought they had been carried off to the Pacific Islands, with the vibrant contribution of the Samoan and Tokelauan communities.

It was one of those moments when I realised how deep is the communio, the life of the Trinity we share at baptism that binds us together as the Catholic Church in Oceania.

When you look at a map or, better still, a globe of Oceania, you realise how huge it is, covering more than one-third of the earth's surface. What a responsibility comes with this beautiful gift of God's creation and the people who live here.

As bishops we were aware of this, especially when, on the opening day, Bishop Eugene Hurley of Darwin addressed the question of Australian immigration policy, detention centres and the treatment of asylum seekers who are currently detained on Manus Island, Nauru, Christmas Island and several camps in Australia.

These places are located in three of the four FCBCO areas, but it also challenges us as New Zealanders - are we doing all we can to respond with gospel hospitality towards those who approach our shores? Continue reading.

John Dew is Archbishop of Wellington, and outgoing President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops of Oceania.

Source: WelCom

Image: WelCom