蜜桃交友

By Lisa Zengarini

Scottish bishops say there are reasons of hope as the world lives through these difficult times of pandemic and unrest, expressing solidarity with the most vulnerable.

In a , they remind, with Pope Francis, that every crisis presents opportunities and that God, through His Incarnated Son, 鈥渢urns all things to good鈥�. 鈥淲e have well-founded reasons for hoping that the Pandemic has led society to a rediscovery of the dignity of every human person, especially the most vulnerable, along with a new appreciation of the goodness manifested by so many鈥�, the Bishops say citing the recent Encyclical Letter 鈥淔ratelli tutti鈥�.

An opportunity to rebuild society

According to the Prelates, the Covid-19 crisis offers 鈥渁 unique opportunity to rebuild society鈥� by fostering the values of solidarity with the most vulnerable, who prior to the Pandemic were more and more regarded 鈥渁s less meriting of life鈥�. 鈥淭his crisis has retaught us the dignity of every human person and, on this rediscovered principle, our society can be rebuilt鈥�, they note. 鈥淟ike the Good Samaritan, we can create a better society by recognising even the most vulnerable as our neighbour鈥�. The letter also points out the greater appreciation of faith鈥檚 unique contribution to modern Scotland: 鈥淭he importance of bringing much needed love, hope and comfort and the social capital delivered by a vibrant faith commitment is now more widely recognised鈥�, the Bishops write.

A new chapter in healthcare

The second part of the letter  addresses medical care of the sick and vulnerable, the economy and vaccines. Here again, the Bishops say there are reasons for hope. Regarding the first point, they note that the crisis manifested 鈥渁 determination to ensure adequate support for the elderly at home or in residential care鈥�, expressing their hope that 鈥減arity of esteem for the Care Sector and the NHS would be a lasting positive legacy鈥� of the Pandemic. The Prelates also remark the extraordinary efforts made by Governments to provide economic support for workers and employers whose livelihoods are being threatened and that the lockdown 鈥渇orced a revaluation of some low paid and undervalued jobs, where care workers, shop assistants, delivery drivers and others were hailed as key workers鈥�. Their hope is that these positive developments will 鈥渃ontinue to underpin decision-making, especially for the poor, the unemployed and the marginalised鈥�. According to the Scottish Bishops, the post-Pandemic recovery also offers hope 鈥渇or a flourishing of more natural and humane lifestyles鈥�, less centred on material wealth.

With regards to the Covid-19 vaccines, the Scottish Bishops welcome the news of their approval by the British Government and, in response to ethical concerns raised, they reassure Catholics that 鈥渋n accordance with longstanding guidance from the Pontifical Academy for Life, it is ethical to take any of the Covid-19 vaccines purchased by the UK鈥�. Similar arguments have been put forward by other Bishops in the world.

The hope of Christmas

Finally, the letter recalls the message of hope of Christmas, which 鈥渦nderpins and purifies, measures and sustains the many varied hopes that keep us going day by day鈥� and 鈥渄elivers us from the compulsion to be self-sufficient and the anguish that can follow when we fail鈥�. 鈥淭he Lord is with us and can calm every storm and bring light to the darkness鈥�, the Scottish Bishops conclude.