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Irish Examiner
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Pope Francis's powerful call to ecological action
Values of a society shift and adjust through time. The evolution of cultural perspectives is shaped by major institutions, by scholars, rebels and civil society movements. Pope Francis has been a leader who did much to evolve the values of our society, pushing towards an eco-centric outlook in which care for all people and care for all of creation are invited back in to the core of our shared cultural values. I myself am not, and never have been, a religious person. However, I remember being intrigued when, in 2015, Laudato Si' was published. In this eloquent, philosophical and comprehensive encyclical, Pope Francis wrote with fluency about the ways in which our consumer obsessed culture has been driving Earth's planetary systems toward collapse. 'Laudato Si' — Encyclical letter of the holy father Francis on care for our common home' is a powerful call for a global ecological 'conversion', for new ways of living that take responsibility for the health and wellbeing of all creatures, as well as for the most vulnerable people on the planet. Cuidemos la creación, don de nuestro buen Dios Creador. Celebremos juntos la Semana Laudato si'. #LaudatoSi5 — Apostolica Sedes Vacans (@Pontifex_es) May 16, 2020 Pope Francis writes with stunning insight about almost every key environmental issue of the 21st century, whilst continually pairing these challenges with the intrinsic injustices that arise from ecological destruction. From the outset, 'Mother Earth' is referred to as 'sustaining and governing us', a significant shift from the perspective that creation was a gift to man, a set of resources to subdue, control and exploit. He discusses in depth the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation on the poor and vulnerable, a core moral imperative to urgently tackle to both the biodiversity and the climate crisis. There are many radical statements in the encyclical, such as how 'the cult of unlimited human power.... sees everything as irrelevant unless it serves one's own immediate interests". The encyclical is critical of how we prioritise economic growth over ecological and human well-being and states that 'the time has come to accept decreased growth in some parts of the world, in order to provide resources for other places to experience healthy growth.' Pope Francis and Israeli President Shimon Peres (R), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (2ndR) and Patriarch Bartholomaios I plant an olive tree during a peace invocation prayer at the Vatican Gardens in 2014. During his visit to the Holy Land Pope Francis invited Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend. Picture:In Laudato Si', Pope Francis also goes into the specifics of the harm and abuse we have inflicted on Earth's natural systems. There is much about living oceans, including strong critiques of practices such as fisheries discards; overfishing; and the specific means by which coral reefs are being destroyed. The encyclical calls for more countries to establish 'sanctuaries on land and in the oceans' in order to preserve and restore their ecological integrity, echoing global campaigns for Marine Protected Areas that have been gaining momentum over the past two decades. It even goes so far as to call for the shortfalls in 'the system of governance of the oceans' and how 'the lack of strict mechanisms of regulation, control and penalization' undermine these efforts to protect oceanic 'global commons'. In the encyclical, Pope Francis presents impressive detail about the deficits of environmental regulation and participation in decision making, stating how, in assessing technological innovations, 'profit cannot be the sole criterion to be taken into account'. When it comes to the global balance of power, his language is forthright, calling out the pervasive extreme inequality that now characterises the world and how this manifests in the destruction of Earths ecosystems. He refers, for example, to 'those richly biodiverse lungs of our planet which are the Amazon and the Congo basins' and how plans to further exploit these vital planetary systems 'only serve the economic interests of transnational corporations'. He states that 'politics must not be subject to the economy, nor should the economy be subject to the dictates of an efficiency-driven paradigm of technocracy', words that are at least as necessary today as they were ten years ago. Especially relevant in debates taking place currently about the role of private investment and market driven conservation is his statement that 'the environment is one of those goods that cannot be adequately safeguarded or promoted by market forces'. The role of civil society is held up as being integral to resolving the challenges of environmental and social injustice. Examples such as the power and efficacy of movements that boycott certain products are noted. This is a momentous work, packed with compelling calls for a profound transformation in the attitudes and behaviours that are embedded in our culture. Pope Francis has been loud and clear in urging wider recognition of the moral imperative to care for all life on Earth and in mass collective action required to change the status quo. In the 10 years since Laudato Si' came out, I have often asked religious lay people about its teachings and whether they are filtering in to the messages of the Church here in Ireland or elsewhere. Few had ever heard of it. Pope Francis's intended legacy, his 'urgent appeal' for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet, does not appear to have had much of an influence on the conversations taking place at congregational level. His eloquent plea for all his followers to become strong advocates for the Earth has, however, prompted a global grassroots movement around Laudato Si', celebrating the legacy of Pope Francis. One of the movements founding members is Scottish–Irish Dr Lorna Gold, a Maynooth-based academic and author and leading voice in climate justice movement in Ireland and beyond. In January of this year, Dr Gold became the executive director of the worldwide Laudato Si' Movement. There is hope yet that the depth of compassion and ecological wisdom embodied by Pope Francis throughout his life will be capably carried forward by the Laudato Si' Movement, especially in combination with other civil society movements working to effect the transformative changes that are necessary to care for our common home. There is hope, too, that 'all people', whom Pope Francis so eloquently addressed his wisdom toward, will be able to overcome individualism, to take urgent action for justice and peace, and awaken a new reverence for life. Read More Stiff competition but Connemara is one of the most degraded landscapes in Ireland
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Who be Cardinal Kevin Farrell, di acting head of di Vatican?
Wen di world hear of Pope Francis death on Monday morning, na Irish-American cardinal, wey di world no know na im break di news. Afta im announce say di pope don "return to di home of di Father", Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell take on one of his biggest roles yet: di "camerlengo", or di pesin wey dey run di Vatican afta di death or resignation of a pope. Na Pope Francis bin nominate di cardinal for di role for 2019. Di cardinal go remain for di position during di "Apostolica Sedes Vacans", dat na di period between di death or resignation of a pope until di election of di next pontiff. Im go also play an important role for di centuries-old ceremonies to mourn Pope Francis. Dem born Farrell for 1947 for Dublin, Farrell attend di University of Salamanca for Spain and di Pontifical Gregorian University for Rome, according to di Vatican. Im don hold different appointment for churches around di world, e serve as a chaplain for di University of Monterrey for Mexico as well as parish for Bethesda, Maryland. All togeda, di 77-year-old don spend more dan 30 years working for churches for US. Farrell bin collect appointment as Bishop of Dallas for 2007 e bin dey dia until Pope Francis ask am for 2016 to serve as di leader of di Vatican new department wey dey responsible for di pastoral care of families, wey raise am to di rank of cardinal. Years afta dem name am as camerlengo, For 2023, Francis chose Farrell as president of di Supreme Court of Vatican City State. Dem also name as di president of di Commission for Confidential Matters. As camerlengo, part of im Cardinal Farrell work na to make arrangements for di conclave, di process wey dem go select di next pontiff. Technically, a camerlengo fit become pope, e don happun twice in history: Gioacchino Pecci (Pope Leo XIII) for 1878 and Eugenio Pacelli (Pope Pius XII) in 1939. Di cardinal also go preside ova di certification of Francis death, To put im body inside di coffin. Afta dat, di cardinal dey expected to lead one procession wey go move di pope body from di chapel of di Domus Santa Marta to St Peter Basilica. Di ceremony fit take place as soon as Wednesday morning, according to di Vatican.
Indian Express
22-04-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Cardinal Kevin Farrell takes charge of Vatican as acting head after Pope Francis' death
Following the death of Pope Francis on Monday morning, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, a 77-year-old Irish-American cleric, has taken over as the acting head of the Vatican. As the camerlengo—a centuries-old role officially known as the chamberlain—Cardinal Farrell now leads the Church during the Apostolica Sedes Vacans, the period between the death of a pope and the election of a successor. Farrell, who announced that the pope had 'returned to the home of the Father,' was appointed camerlengo by Pope Francis in 2019. In this role, he is tasked with overseeing and administering the temporal affairs of the Holy See. According to CNN, his responsibilities include officially certifying the pope's death, sealing the deceased pontiff's private rooms, organizing the funeral rites, and arranging the conclave—the secretive gathering where cardinals elect the next pope. Ceremonial and administrative duties begin Wearing a white choir dress and red stole, Farrell presided over the ceremonial certification of death, the first moment of prayer following the pontiff's passing. He will also oversee the transfer of Pope Francis's body from the chapel at Domus Santa Marta to St Peter's Basilica, a ceremony that could take place as soon as Wednesday, according to the Vatican. His duties also include drawing up the 'authentic act of death,' which is attached to the official death certificate, and managing the day-to-day administration of the Vatican during this interim period. Farrell chairs a three-member committee of cardinals and must consult the wider College of Cardinals on matters of importance. Churchman with strong Vatican ties Born in Dublin in 1947, Farrell left Ireland as a teenager to join the Legionaries of Christ, a religious order based in Mexico. He later left the order and was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. Over the next three decades, he served in various leadership roles in the US, including as chaplain at the University of Monterrey in Mexico and pastor in Bethesda, Maryland. In 2007, he was appointed Bishop of Dallas. His career within the Vatican accelerated under Pope Francis. In 2016, he was called to lead the newly formed Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life, a key department focusing on pastoral care for families. He was soon made a cardinal, and in 2023, Francis entrusted him with further responsibilities as President of the Supreme Court of Vatican City State, head of the Commission for Confidential Matters, and President of the Committee for Investments. Administrator with an MBA Known for his administrative acumen, Farrell holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. According to CNN, he is regarded as a strong organizer and trusted collaborator of Francis, fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, and Irish Gaelic. Despite his high-ranking status, Farrell has faced scrutiny in the past. While serving in Washington, he worked under then-Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, who was later defrocked for sexual abuse. Farrell has denied any knowledge of McCarrick's misconduct, telling reporters, 'Did I ever know? No. Did I ever suspect? No.' As acting head of the Vatican, Farrell's powers are limited to routine operations. He can access financial records, oversee logistics, and ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the upcoming conclave. According to BBC, only two camerlengos in history have gone on to become pope themselves—Gioacchino Pecci (Pope Leo XIII) in 1878 and Eugenio Pacelli (Pope Pius XII) in 1939.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the acting head of the Vatican?
When the world learned of Pope Francis' death on Monday morning, a cardinal with longstanding ties to the US was the one to break the news. After announcing that the pope had "returned to the home of the Father", Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell took on one of his biggest roles yet: the "camerlengo", or the person who runs the Vatican after the death or resignation of a pope. Pope Francis nominated the cardinal for the role in 2019. The cardinal will remain in the position during the "Apostolica Sedes Vacans", the period between the death or resignation of a pope until the election of the next pontiff. He also will play an important role in the centuries-old ceremonies to mourn Pope Francis. Born in 1947 in Dublin, Farrell attended the University of Salamanca in Spain and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, according to the Vatican. He held roles in churches around the world, serving as a chaplain at the University of Monterrey in Mexico as well as at a parish in Bethesda, Maryland. All told, the 77-year-old spent more than 30 years working for churches in the US. Farrell was appointed Bishop of Dallas in 2007 until Pope Francis asked him in 2016 to serve as the leader of the Vatican's new department responsible for the pastoral care of families, raising him to the rank of cardinal. Years after naming him as camerlengo, in 2023, Francis chose Farrell as president of the Supreme Court of Vatican City State. He was also named president of the Commission for Confidential Matters. As camerlengo, Cardinal Farrell will be tasked with making arrangements for the conclave, the process through which the next pontiff is selected. Technically, a camerlengo can become pope, as has happened twice in history: Gioacchino Pecci (Pope Leo XIII) in 1878 and Eugenio Pacelli (Pope Pius XII) in 1939. The cardinal also will preside over the certification of Francis's death, laying his body into the coffin. After that, the cardinal is expected to lead a procession moving the pope's body from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta to St Peter's Basilica. The ceremony could take place as soon as Wednesday morning, according to the Vatican. What next after the death of Pope Francis?
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the acting head of the Vatican?
When the world learned of Pope Francis' death on Monday morning, a cardinal with longstanding ties to the US was the one to break the news. After announcing that the pope had "returned to the home of the Father", Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell took on one of his biggest roles yet: the "camerlengo", or the person who runs the Vatican after the death or resignation of a pope. Pope Francis nominated the cardinal for the role in 2019. The cardinal will remain in the position during the "Apostolica Sedes Vacans", the period between the death or resignation of a pope until the election of the next pontiff. He also will play an important role in the centuries-old ceremonies to mourn Pope Francis. Born in 1947 in Dublin, Farrell attended the University of Salamanca in Spain and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, according to the held roles in churches around the world, serving as a chaplain at the University of Monterrey in Mexico as well as at a parish in Bethesda, Maryland. All told, the 77-year-old spent more than 30 years working for churches in the US. Farrell was appointed Bishop of Dallas in 2007 until Pope Francis asked him in 2016 to serve as the leader of the Vatican's new department responsible for the pastoral care of families, raising him to the rank of cardinal. Years after naming him as camerlengo, in 2023, Francis chose Farrell as president of the Supreme Court of Vatican City State. He was also named president of the Commission for Confidential camerlengo, Cardinal Farrell will be tasked with making arrangements for the conclave, the process through which the next pontiff is selected. Technically, a camerlengo can become pope, as has happened twice in history: Gioacchino Pecci (Pope Leo XIII) in 1878 and Eugenio Pacelli (Pope Pius XII) in cardinal also will preside over the certification of Francis's death, laying his body into the coffin. After that, the cardinal is expected to lead a procession moving the pope's body from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta to St Peter's Basilica. The ceremony could take place as soon as Wednesday morning, according to the Vatican.
