Pope Francis says Gender Ideology is the "ugliest danger" Today, at a Vocations Conference - FULL TEXT
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Audience with participants in the International Conference “Man-Woman image of God. For an anthropology of vocations”, 01.03.2024
This morning, the Holy Father Francis received in audience the participants in the International Conference "Man-Woman image of God. For an anthropology of vocations" promoted by the Center for Research and Anthropology of Vocations (CRAV), which takes place in the Vatican, at the Synod Hall, from 1 to 2 March 2024.
FULL TEXT of the Pope's speech which was read by Monsignor Filippo Ciampanelli and the words that the Holy Father addressed off the cuff to those present during the meeting:
[Words spoken by the Holy Father before the speech]
Good morning! I ask to read, so I don't get too tired; I still have a cold and it makes me tired of reading for a while. But I would like to underline one thing: it is very important that there is this meeting, this meeting between men and women, because today the ugliest danger is gender ideology, which cancels out differences. I asked to do studies on this ugly ideology of our time, which erases differences and makes everything the same; erasing difference is erasing humanity. Man and woman, however, are in a fruitful "tension". I remember reading a novel from the early twentieth century, written by the son of the Archbishop of Canterbury: The Lord of the World. The novel talks about the future and is prophetic, because it shows this tendency to erase all differences.
It's interesting to read it, if you have time read it, because there are these problems of today; that man was a prophet.
[Reading of the Holy Father's speech]
Brothers and sisters!
I am happy to participate in this conference promoted by the Center for Research and Anthropology of Vocations, during which scholars from various parts of the world, each starting from their own expertise, will discuss the theme «Man-woman image of God. For an anthropology of vocations". I greet all the participants and thank Cardinal Ouellet for his words: we are not yet saints, but we hope to always remain on the path to becoming one, this is the first vocation we have received! And thank you above all because, a few years ago, together with other authoritative people and seeking an alliance between knowledge, you created this Centre, to start international academic research aimed at ever better understanding the meaning and importance of vocations, in Church and in society.
The aim of this conference is first of all to consider and enhance the anthropological dimension of every vocation. This refers us to an elementary and fundamental truth, which today we need to rediscover in all its beauty: the life of the human being is a vocation. Let us not forget: the anthropological dimension, which underlies every call within the community, has to do with an essential characteristic of the human being as such: that is, that man himself is a vocation. Each of us, both in the great choices that concern a state of life, and in the numerous occasions and situations in which they are incarnated and take shape, discovers and expresses himself as called, as a calling, as a person who realizes himself in listening and in response, sharing one's being and one's gifts with others for the common good.
This discovery takes us out of the isolation of a self-referential ego and makes us look at ourselves as an identity in relation: I exist and live in relation to whoever generated me, to the reality that transcends me, to others and to the world that surrounds me, in relation to which I am called to embrace a specific and personal mission with joy and responsibility.
This anthropological truth is fundamental because it fully responds to the desire for human fulfillment and happiness that lives in our hearts. In today's cultural context we sometimes tend to forget or obscure this reality, with the risk of reducing the human being to his sole material needs or primary needs, as if he were an object without conscience and without will, simply dragged by life as part of a mechanical gear. And instead man and woman are created by God and are the image of the Creator; that is, they carry within them a desire for eternity and happiness that God himself has sown in their hearts and which they are called to realize through a specific vocation. For this reason there lives within us a healthy internal tension that we must never suffocate: we are called to happiness, to the fullness of life, to something great to which God has destined us. The life of each of us, without exception, is not an accident; our existence in the world is not a mere fruit of chance, but we are part of a plan of love and we are invited to come out of ourselves and make it happen, for ourselves and for others.
This morning, the Holy Father Francis received in audience the participants in the International Conference "Man-Woman image of God. For an anthropology of vocations" promoted by the Center for Research and Anthropology of Vocations (CRAV), which takes place in the Vatican, at the Synod Hall, from 1 to 2 March 2024.
FULL TEXT of the Pope's speech which was read by Monsignor Filippo Ciampanelli and the words that the Holy Father addressed off the cuff to those present during the meeting:
[Words spoken by the Holy Father before the speech]
Good morning! I ask to read, so I don't get too tired; I still have a cold and it makes me tired of reading for a while. But I would like to underline one thing: it is very important that there is this meeting, this meeting between men and women, because today the ugliest danger is gender ideology, which cancels out differences. I asked to do studies on this ugly ideology of our time, which erases differences and makes everything the same; erasing difference is erasing humanity. Man and woman, however, are in a fruitful "tension". I remember reading a novel from the early twentieth century, written by the son of the Archbishop of Canterbury: The Lord of the World. The novel talks about the future and is prophetic, because it shows this tendency to erase all differences.
It's interesting to read it, if you have time read it, because there are these problems of today; that man was a prophet.
[Reading of the Holy Father's speech]
Brothers and sisters!
I am happy to participate in this conference promoted by the Center for Research and Anthropology of Vocations, during which scholars from various parts of the world, each starting from their own expertise, will discuss the theme «Man-woman image of God. For an anthropology of vocations". I greet all the participants and thank Cardinal Ouellet for his words: we are not yet saints, but we hope to always remain on the path to becoming one, this is the first vocation we have received! And thank you above all because, a few years ago, together with other authoritative people and seeking an alliance between knowledge, you created this Centre, to start international academic research aimed at ever better understanding the meaning and importance of vocations, in Church and in society.
The aim of this conference is first of all to consider and enhance the anthropological dimension of every vocation. This refers us to an elementary and fundamental truth, which today we need to rediscover in all its beauty: the life of the human being is a vocation. Let us not forget: the anthropological dimension, which underlies every call within the community, has to do with an essential characteristic of the human being as such: that is, that man himself is a vocation. Each of us, both in the great choices that concern a state of life, and in the numerous occasions and situations in which they are incarnated and take shape, discovers and expresses himself as called, as a calling, as a person who realizes himself in listening and in response, sharing one's being and one's gifts with others for the common good.
This discovery takes us out of the isolation of a self-referential ego and makes us look at ourselves as an identity in relation: I exist and live in relation to whoever generated me, to the reality that transcends me, to others and to the world that surrounds me, in relation to which I am called to embrace a specific and personal mission with joy and responsibility.
This anthropological truth is fundamental because it fully responds to the desire for human fulfillment and happiness that lives in our hearts. In today's cultural context we sometimes tend to forget or obscure this reality, with the risk of reducing the human being to his sole material needs or primary needs, as if he were an object without conscience and without will, simply dragged by life as part of a mechanical gear. And instead man and woman are created by God and are the image of the Creator; that is, they carry within them a desire for eternity and happiness that God himself has sown in their hearts and which they are called to realize through a specific vocation. For this reason there lives within us a healthy internal tension that we must never suffocate: we are called to happiness, to the fullness of life, to something great to which God has destined us. The life of each of us, without exception, is not an accident; our existence in the world is not a mere fruit of chance, but we are part of a plan of love and we are invited to come out of ourselves and make it happen, for ourselves and for others.
For this reason, if it is true that each of us has a mission, that is, we are called to offer our own contribution to improve the world and shape society, I always like to remember that it is not an external task entrusted to our lives, but of a dimension that involves our very nature, the structure of our being man-woman in the image and likeness of God. Not only have we been entrusted with a mission, but each and every one of us is a mission: «I am always one mission; you are always a mission; every baptized person is a mission. He who loves sets in motion, is pushed outside of himself, is attracted and attracts, gives himself to the other and weaves relationships that generate life. No one is useless or insignificant for the love of God" (Message for World Mission Day 2019).
An eminent intellectual and spiritual figure, Cardinal Newman, has illuminating words on this. I quote a few: «I am created to do and to be someone that no one else is created to be. I occupy my place in God's counsels, in God's world: a place occupied by no one else. It matters little whether I am rich or poor, despised or esteemed by men: God knows me and calls me by name. He has entrusted me with a job that he has not entrusted to anyone else. I have my mission. In some way I am necessary to his intentions." And he continues: «[God] did not create me in vain. I will do good, I will do his work. I will be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in the place he has assigned me even without my knowing it, as long as I follow his commandments and serve him in my vocation" (J.H. Newman, Meditations and Prayers, Milan 2002, 38 -39).
Brothers and sisters, your research, your studies and in a special way these opportunities for discussion are very necessary and important, so that awareness of the vocation to which every human being is called by God, in different states of life and thanks to his many charisms. They are also useful for questioning ourselves about today's challenges, the ongoing anthropological crisis and the necessary promotion of human and Christian vocations. And it is important that an increasingly effective circularity between the different vocations develops, also thanks to your contribution, because the works that flow from the lay state of life at the service of society and the Church, together with the gift of the ordained ministry and of life consecrated, can contribute to generating hope in a world over which heavy experiences of death loom.
Generating this hope, placing oneself at the service of the Kingdom of God for the construction of an open and fraternal world is a task entrusted to every woman and every man of our time. Thank you for the contribution you make in this regard. Thank you for your work these days. I entrust it to the Lord in prayer, through the intercession of Mary, Icon of vocation and Mother of every vocation. And please, don't forget to pray for me too.
[Words of the Holy Father at the end of the reading of the speech]
I wish you good work! And do not be afraid in these rich moments in the life of the Church. The Holy Spirit asks us something important: faithfulness. But loyalty is on the way and loyalty often leads us to take risks. “Museum fidelity” is not fidelity. Move forward with the courage to discern and risk seeking God's will. I wish you the best. Courage and carry on, without losing your sense of humor!
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