Something to think about Category

Pilar Andrade, Spain • The issue of environmentalism bothers a lot of people. They find the demonstrations in which thousands of people – especially young people – take to the streets demanding measures to prevent an environmental catastrophe, exaggerated. Greta Thünberg, in particular, is bothering people: how can a teenage brat teach government leaders lessons? In Spain, which is where I write from, many associate environmentalism with the extreme left, and therefore with a political ideology whose historical roots are not only alien, but even contradictory to some aspects ofRead More
By Bettina Betzner, Germany  • Dear Pope Francis, I would like to have a personal conversation with you about ‘Laudato Si’. I would like to seek your warm closeness, to look into your eyes, to be captured by your warm gaze, to be moved by your spiritual depth and your authenticity, to make your concern my concern… I had this experience when I saw the film “A Man of His Word” by Wim Wenders. —   Meeting you has changed something in me. After your message in the film IRead More
ARGENTINA, Carlos Barrio e Lipperheide • We are living an unprecedented world reality, a situation in which we are all learning and looking for ways to move forward, in the midst of many uncertainties and unanswered questions. — We are all in shock, anguish and disoriented. We do not know when or how we will overcome these circumstances, but, what we do know is that we must find a way out and overcome the pandemic. Surely after this the world will not be the same and we will all haveRead More
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CHILE, Patricio Young • We live in the midst of an individualistic world where my wishes and will take precedence over those of the rest of society, where rights are privileged over duties. Where hedonism, greed and power for power’s sake are the maxims that move us. There is no consequence of life, between what I think, say and do, but justification of conduct. ” “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest withRead More
CHILE, Rafael Mascayano • Soon in our country, Chile, we will be faced with stating our opinion in making a decision as to whether or not to assume the task of constructing a new Constitution.  And here is where – as laity and with the thinking of Father Kentenich – it is convenient to visualize our decision to assume, not to debate the pros and cons of each position – a situation which would also help greatly – but to mainly stop, think, discern and act with criteria and notRead More
CHILE, Ignacio Serrano del Pozo • The Theological Congress”Federative, Decentralization and Synodal,” as a form to reflect on the 100 years of Hoerde and the federative structure of the Schoenstatt Movement,  took place in Vallendar, Germany in October of 2019.  One of the main invitees to this event was the Jesuit thinker, Fr. Juan Carlos Scannone, who since his Theology of the People has significantly influenced Pope Francis who was one of his students.  Last November 27th, we heard the sad news of the death of the renowned Argentine theologian. Read More
CHILE, P. Juan Pablo Rovegno • But “I will see thy face in righteousness, I will be satisfied with thy form when I awaken,” sings the antiphon of the psalm this Sunday. The awakening of Chile was at the centre of the news, the “hopes and fears, joys and sorrows” of these days. — An awakening that presents us with (at least) three spiritual dimensions with concrete consequences: Awakening to hope for a fairer, more solidary and more fraternal Chile, a wake-up call to legitimate needs, always postponed and madeRead More
CHILE, Patricio Young •  In Chile we find ourselves in a decisive moment of our national history. The ground has broken away from under our feet; we are aghast at what is happening on the streets of our country. We have seen demands being made from all sides. The young people from the upper classes, who are being interviewed on TV, express their solidarity with the demonstrators, saying that their privileges cause them pain and that is why they are also joining the demonstrators.— Today there seems to be generalRead More
CHILE, Fr. Juan Pablo Rovegno • Looking at the social crisis and the violence Chile is experiencing, Fr Juan Pablo Rovegno based his Sunday sermon on 20 October on the Gospel account of the widow looking for justice. He noted that the Schoenstatt Movement in Chile is “a body that is aware of people’s concerns, takes up their needs, creates possibilities and makes others its favourite concern and occupation.” It is a subject not just for a country in flames, like Chile; a subject raised long ago by Chile’s youngRead More
CHILE, Fr. Juan Pablo Rovegno Michell / staff • Friday, October 18th – of all days! – the violent riots in Chile, which left so many speechless, began with severe attacks and excesses in the subway, causing six lines to collapse and to be put out of  operation on Saturday or Sunday. On Monday, only the main line worked with 60% of the stations, in addition to looting and arson attacks on several stations. There was also a series of attacks on supermarkets and pharmacies with looting and arson attacks.Read More