Letter from the President April 2021

Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti Encyclical

Pope Francis’ third encyclical was published by the Vatican on October 3, 2020. The title, Fratelli Tutti, is translated, “Brothers All,” which distressed some who believed it left out women; however, in Italian, the phrase refers to "all humanity" and is inclusive of women as well as men. In the document, Pope Francis says that the COVID-19 pandemic revealed a growing trend in the failure of global cooperation. There is a critical need to reverse this trend and we can all have a role in making that happen.

I was introduced to Pope Francis’ encyclical while attending a board meeting of the Center for Faith and Culture at the University of St. Thomas. With great passion, Fr. Donald Nesti, CSSp, summarized the encyclical as a message of love and justice for all people. The pope’s concept of “Brothers All” includes all human beings and the planet earth, which is our life-giving “brother,” as well. In Genesis, Adam and Eve were instructed to “tend the garden.”

Fr. Nesti said the Center for Faith and Culture will hold four events beginning in November, 2021 featuring the need for people in every nation to: (1) embrace healthcare for all, (2) to welcome the stranger at our door (the immigrant), (3) cultivate a politic that is inclusive and just for all people, and (4) to reach out in dialogue for a renewed encounter with people of all faiths and all beliefs. Future events are planned to cover other aspects of Fratelli Tutti, including the environment.

Pope Francis’ third encyclical is an invitation to affirm that we are one people and all are our brothers and sisters – that no one can be excluded or marginalized. Yet, the encyclical highlights the many ways that is not true today. We are excluding and marginalizing people at every turn, either by an ever-growing economic disparity, by denying the painful aspects of our history, or by building walls that separate us into warring camps. Everything indicates this trend is getting progressively worse with time.

Although Pope Francis’ encyclical is quite long, there are summaries that can be found on the internet. I encourage everyone to take the time to download the original or a summary, inwardly digest its message, and invite others to join you in a discussion of what we can do as a people to reverse the trends that are so destructive in our nation and every nation on this planet.

I wonder, can we meet to talk about this at our Institute? I hope so.

John K. Graham, MD, DMin

President & CEO

Institute for Spirituality and Health