A Pope Named Leo
A Pope Named Leo
A Pope Named Leo
When Cardinal Robert Prevost took the name Leo, it was attributed to his desire to honor Pope Leo XIII, who was pope in at the turn od the Twentieth Century. Pope Leo XIII is best known for the development of Catholic Social Teaching, a branch of moral theology that addresses social issues. In 1891, he wrote an encyclical Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Workers) that addressed social issues that arose from the Industrial Revolution. It was written to counter Socialist, Communist, and unbridled Capitalist world views. Other encyclicals written by subsequent popes and the documents written during the 2nd Vatican Council helped to further develop Catholic Social teachings. Our newly elected pope, Leo XIV has expressed his desire to contribute to its further development by addressing the issues arising from the computer age. His first encyclical will no doubt address these concerns.
Catholic Social Teaching espouses the equal dignity of every human person since everyone is created in the image and likeness of God. It supports solidarity, the interconnectedness and shared responsibility we have for each other. Humans need to work together for the good of all and not just a privileged few.
Catholic Social Teaching envisions human beings as sharing rights and responsibilities for each other; there is an option for the poor and most vulnerable. The marginalized need to receive the most attention from their wealthier neighbors. Work has dignity and the worker has a right to be compensated for their endeavors. Everyone has a responsibility to protect and preserve our environment according to Catholic teaching. Catholic Social Teaching places a great deal of emphasis on strong families and communities. It encourages subsidiarity, which is the belief that those who promote public policy need to respect the decision-making ability of the lowest level of governance such as the family and basic communities. Catholic Social Teaching is one of the best kept secrets about Catholicism. I feel Pope Leo XIV will make it more prominent in the years to come.
Leo has been a popular name taken by popes over the centuries. Pope Leo I also known as Leo the Great is famous for talking Attila the Hun from sacking Rome in 452. His real greatness was his contribution to theology. He wrote the Tome of Leo in support of the doctrine that Jesus has two natures, one fully human and one fully divine. Another Leo, Leo III was the pope who crowned Charlemagne the first Holy Roman Emperor. That essentially placed civil authority as subservient to Church authority. Is would be the paradigm of Church-State relations for the next thousand years.
A couple of Leos were even more problematic. Leo IX was pontiff in 1054 when the Great East-West Schism divided the Christian world into the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Leo X was on the papal throne in 1517, when Martin Luther began the Protestant Reformation. By the way did you know that Martin Luther was an Augustinian Friar like Pope Benedict?
Pope Leo XIV’s background could help heal some of the breaks in Christianity. Leo has been invited by Bartholomew, Patriarch of Constantinople, the first among equals of the Eastern Patriarchs of the Orthodox Church, to join him in Turkey this summer to commemorate the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea where the Nicaean Creed that formally defined what Christians believe was written. Such a meeting might help some movement towards reunification between the Catholic Church and at least some Orthodox churches. Pope Leo is also the first pope born in a predominantly Protestant country. That might help him understand the 16th Century issues that lead to the Reformation better. Pope Leo XIV should be interesting to watch.
Congratulations Teresa Lim
Teresa Lim, our Music Director, graduated from a Spiritual Direction Certificate Program at Francis House of Prayer, Allentown, N.J. on June 5. Best wishes on your accomplishment. Here is a prayer to say for Teresa and those who offer spiritual guidance.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of spiritual direction.
and for providing Teresa Lim to guide us
on our spiritual journey here at our Holy Redeemer.
We ask you to send down the power of the Holy Spirit upon her,
your wisdom and discernment to be with her as she leads her directees.
Bless her with strength and grace to help us grow closer to you.
Grant her peace and joy in her spiritual service,
and may her guidance be a source of comfort and inspiration for all of us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
If you would like to learn more about Spiritual Direction stop and talk with her after Mass.
84th Catholic Appeal Update
“Hope Lights the Way” is the theme of the 2025 Catholic Appeal. Pope Francis called us to be “Pilgrims of Hope” in this 2025 Holy Year of Grace. Supporting the Catholic Appeal is one way to bring Hope to others by helping our brothers and sisters in need. DOGE is taking a chainsaw to many Federal safety net programs and services. The aged, children and those in need are having benefits cut and assistance programs eliminated. The Church can’t possibly completely fill the gaps created by government cuts but we need to do our best to help those adversely impacted.
The Catholic Appeal of the Diocese of Fall River supports tens of thousands of people throughout our diocese: in Mansfield, Easton, and the Attleboros, through the Taunton, Fall River, and New Bedford, extending across Cape Cod and the islands, and including all the towns in between. Your support can offer great hope. Please consider making your gift online by visiting:www.GiveFRDiocese.org. If your employer or former employer matches your charitable contributions, please contact them to ask to supplement your gift. We are past the mid-point of this year’s Appeal. A second letter from Bishop Da Cunha was recently mailed to parishioners who have yet to give a gift. Please respond with your gift soon.
