Author

Msgr. Luc Van Looy

Bishop Emeritus of Ghent
President of Caritas Europa 2015-20

In his encyclical Laudato si’ Pope Francis, in a certain way, anticipated what we are living in the whole world at this moment.

With no exceptions, the virus comes into every country and every home, just as the effects of globalisation come into every home. I cannot avoid thinking of the song of a Flemish singer Willem Vermandere, who reminds us of the fact that throughout the world the same products are sold and used: local food is rare and meat comes from New Zealand, while Bangladesh makes clothes for the whole world, Chinese facemasks have to prevent us from sickness. The most evident effect of globalisation is this virus, no one escapes from it. The big question now is not ‘which vaccine will free us from such outbreaks in the future?’, rather, it will be ‘how are we going to organise life on earth in the future?’ Which will be the leading forces, be it technology, commerce and production, competition, or nationalism that closes boarders? I believe this is also a theological question. We are confronted with the reality that the whole universe and all people have come into being through the one and unique act of the Creator.

I would like to suggest to the world what Pope Francis outlined during the synod on the family in 2015. To build a common home for everybody, poor and rich, east or west, young or old, healthy or ill, he suggests the synodal way. He made it clear that there are two fundamental requirements to change the world: first of all, listening (and this is more than just hearing) and then walking together. A big changeover has taken place in the reflection of the Church over the last years. The adage, See – Judge – Act as a methodology for reflection has been developed into, ‘listen carefully – verify if what you heard is conformed with the reality – and finally, accompany’. The word ‘judge’ has been dropped. Who am I to judge or condemn?’ That was the Pope’s answer to the journalist when asked about the situation of same-sex marriages.

Read the full reflection above.