"Fratelli tutti is a profound document," says Dew, vice-president of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference.

"It can change minds and hearts. It can be one avenue to do nothing less than ‘renew the face of the Earth.' Take it and pray."

It is the third encyclical of Francis' pontificate and focuses on friendship and human solidarity at this time of international pandemic and polarisation.

The title has been translated from the Latin as Brothers and Sisters All, a key phrase in the document.

Dew says Fratelli Tutti is not about making adjustments here and there to our personal and community lives.

"Rather it is very much about a way to re-read and to live the Gospel for our times.

The Pope writes about the need for us to survive not only the coronavirus pandemic but the many other things our contemporary world needs to do to survive.

It is that serious. It is that compelling. It is that demanding."

Fratelli Tutti pleads on behalf of the world's poor, the handicapped, the infirm and the elderly - people who often live on the margins of society but who ought to be at the centre says, Dew.

"This is an invitation for everyone to broaden our perspective to view a world without borders and to view every single person on the planet, and yes, the planet itself, as brother and sister."

Pope Francis wants to offer "a new vision of fraternity and social friendship that will not remain on the level of words," says Dew.

"As we would say today, he wants us to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

It is a primer on the Catholic Christian way of viewing life and living life in dialogue among all people of goodwill."

Read the full copy of Fratelli Tutti

Source

Supplied: David McLoughlin
Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops
Te Huinga o ngâ Pîhopa Katorika o Aotearoa

The Vatican is calling on Christians and Muslims worldwide to promote human fraternity and harmonious existence by building bridges of friendship and promoting a culture of dialogue where violence is rejected and the human person is respected. Read more