In newsletter, Cardinal Tobin reflects on Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
One year ago, in October 2020, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, published his encyclical Fratelli Tutti
(On Fraternity and Social Friendship). Shortly afterward, I provided a summary of the pope’s
encyclical in this newsletter.
In August of this year, and again last month, I used this newsletter (Vol 2. No 24 and Vol 3 No. 3.) to
reflect on the teaching of Pope Francis—concentrating on the first chapter, “Dark Clouds Cover the
World,” and the second chapter, “Strangers on the Road.” Today, I would like to offer some thoughts
on the third chapter of Fratelli Tutti, “Envisaging and Engendering an Open World.”
I offer these brief reflections in light of the synod process that has begun in our archdiocese and in
all dioceses throughout the world. Pope Francis has invited us to walk together as members of one
family, brothers and sisters who share a common hope, and who dream of a better world for
ourselves, our families, and our friends and neighbors everywhere.
As our Holy Father makes clear in Fratelli Tutti, we cannot hope to find true peace and happiness as
long as we are isolated or closed in on ourselves. The pope observes:
“In the depths of every heart, love creates bonds and expands existence, for it draws people out of
themselves and towards others. Since we were made for love, in each one of us “a law of ekstasis”
seems to operate: “the lover ‘goes outside’ the self to find a fuller existence in another”. For this
reason, “man always has to take up the challenge of moving beyond himself” (Fratelli Tutti, #88).”
This is an excerpt from the Nov. 5, 2021 edition of Cardinal Tobin’s Rejoice in the Lord Newsletter. Continue reading in English or Spanish here.
