Vatican City, Jan 29, 2021 / 04:35 am (CNA).- Pope Francis urged Catholics on Friday to engage in a “mission of compassion” to a world ravaged by the coronavirus crisis.
Writing in his World Mission Day message, released on Jan. 29, the pope warned Catholics not to succumb to the temptation of justifying indifference on the basis of COVID-19 restrictions.
“In these days of pandemic, when there is a temptation to disguise and justify indifference and apathy in the name of healthy social distancing, there is urgent need for the mission of compassion, which can make that necessary distancing an opportunity for encounter, care and promotion,” he wrote in the message signed on Jan. 6, the Feast of the Epiphany.
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The SMA Fathers in Dedham have much to be thankful for this year. One of our Italian confreres, Father Pierluigi Maccalli, 59, who was kidnapped in Niger, at the border with Burkina Faso on the night of Sept. 17, 2018, by jihadist militants believed to be linked to Al-Qaeda, was safely released on Oct. 9, 2020. At the time of his abduction, Father Maccalli was working in the remote parish of Bomoanga in the Diocese of Niamey. The news of his abduction reached international status, including words of comfort and support by Pope Francis. For a year and a half there was no sign or indication of Father Maccalli s whereabouts. His release note his confreres was one of the most vivid signs that the Lord sent in this time of suffering and in this Missionary Month. SMA Superior General stated that Father Maccalli s release is a most precious gift for World Mission Day which we will celebrate next Sunday, October 18.