In a short video message, Fr Tony Moreno SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific, highlights Pope Francis’ call to solidarity in his encyclical, Fratelli Tutti.

“Pope Francis analyses the problems that threaten our human family. The problem of individualism, globalisation, of people trying to segregate others, the “we-they” relationship that is very much heightened by the pandemic,” says Fr Moreno.

He says the encyclical’s use of the parable of the Good Samatian offers a beautiful counter-narrative against the culture of indifference. “We are afraid like the Levite and the priest. The good Samaritan shows us the way. He took it as a duty. He stooped down and tried to help the wounded person.”

Fr Moreno also affirmed Pope Francis’ condemnation of the death penalty and just war, saying they are unacceptable in our modern world.

“We pray over this encyclical and draw something for our future,” says Fr Moreno, “that we may be able to save humanity as one, that we may be able to recover the beauty of being one community and one world.”