Advertisement Pax ChristiICN Would you like to advertise on ICN? Click to learn more.

Pope sets up commission to focus on aftermath of Covid-19


Cardinal Peter Turkson

Cardinal Peter Turkson

Source: Vatican News

On 20 March 2020, Pope Francis asked the Dicastery for Integral Human Development to create a Commission, in collaboration with other departments of the Roman Curia, "to express the concern and love of the Church for the whole human family in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, above all through the analysis and reflection on the socio-economic and cultural challenges of the future and the proposal of guidelines to face them."

Yesterday the Dicastery announced that the Commission has now been established. In an interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Peter Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery said: "The Pope is convinced we are living through an epochal change and he is reflecting on what will follow the crisis, on the economic and social consequences of the pandemic, on what we will have to face and, above all, on how the Church can offer itself as a safe point of reference to the world lost in the face of an unexpected event."

The Commission consists of five working groups coordinated by a Directorate, reporting directly to the Holy Father, led by Cardinal Turkson, Secretary, Mgr Bruno-Marie Duffé, and Deputy Secretary, Father Augusto Zampini.

Working group one, co-ordinated by the DIHD is dedicated to listening to and supporting local Churches, working with Caritas Internationalis, collaborating with charity initiatives promoted by the Holy See, such as Apostolic Almsgiving, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and the Vatican Pharmacy.

Cardinal Turkson said the first group has already "set up mechanisms to listen to the local churches to identify real needs and assist in the development of effective and adequate responses," including coordinating with apostolic nuncios and bishops' conferences. A broad outlook is needed. Nobody must be forgotten - prisoners, vulnerable groups. We need to share good practices," the Cardinal said.

Working group two, co-ordinated by the DIHD will dedicate itself to research and the study of the pandemic and to reflecting on society and the world post-coronavirus, in coordination with the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Cardinal Turkson said this group "has the task of night watch, like the sentry, to perceive the dawn. To do this it is necessary to connect the best minds in the areas of ecology, economy, health and public security. We need the concreteness of science, and we need prophecy and creativity."

Other working groups will focus on communication, relations with other countries to assist and share research information and financing the commission's relief efforts.

Cardinal Turkson highlighted the need for the commission and the importance of looking to the future "so as not to be unprepared."

He said: "The health crisis has already triggered an economic one.. The risk is that a social crisis will be provoked if this economic crisis is not dealt with immediately. One crisis risks being followed by others, in a cycle in which we will be forced to learn slowly and painfully to take care of our common home."

"Unity is essential in confronting the pandemic, so the current crisis is not the time for indifference, selfishness or division."

Cardinal Turkson also called for the loosening of international sanctions, the reduction or forgiveness of the foreign debts of poor countries, and the end of conflict and arms trafficking. Instead, countries should use their wealth "to heal people and save lives."

"We are rediscovering how much the destiny of each of us is linked to that of others," the Cardinal said. "We are rediscovering the value of the things that matter and the worthlessness of so many things that we once considered important."

See an interview with Cardinal Turkson here: www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-04/turkson-think-covid19-aftermath-to-not-be-unprepared.html

Adverts

Catholic Women's League

We offer publicity space for Catholic groups/organisations. See our advertising page if you would like more information.

We Need Your Support

ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. As our audience increases - so do our costs. We need your help to continue this work.

You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN.

Mobile Menu Toggle Icon