0518 15 May 2018 Monthly Year 2 ‘I am a Mission’ Toward the Synod on Young People Nuclear Weapons: The Church .5 O Says ‘No’ Christian Identity in a Globalized and Pluralist World OLUME 2, N 2, OLUME Making Christianity More Chinese? V Pastoral perspectives 2018 The Future of Europe The Chinese Presence in Africa The Story of Aloysius Gonzaga Wonder Wheel, a film by Woody Allen CONTENTS 0518 BEATUS POPULUS, CUIUS DOMINUS DEUS EIUS Copyright, 2017, Union of Catholic Asian Editor-in-chief News ANTONIO SPADARO, SJ All rights reserved. Except for any fair Editorial Board dealing permitted under the Hong Kong Antonio Spadaro, SJ – Director Copyright Ordinance, no part of this Giancarlo Pani, SJ – Vice-Director publication may be reproduced by any Domenico Ronchitelli, SJ – Senior Editor means without prior permission. Inquiries Giovanni Cucci, SJ, Diego Fares, SJ should be made to the publisher. Francesco Occhetta, SJ, Giovanni Sale, SJ Title: La Civiltà Cattolica, English Edition Emeritus editor Virgilio Fantuzzi, SJ ISSN: 2207-2446 Giandomenico Mucci, SJ GianPaolo Salvini, SJ ISBN: 978-1-925612-45-5 (paperback) Contributing Editor ​978-1-925612-46-2 (ebook) Luke Hansen, SJ 978-1-925612-47-9 (kindle) Contributors Published by Federico Lombardi, SJ (Italy) Union of Catholic Asian News George Ruyssen, SJ (Belgium) Fernando De la Iglesia, SJ (Spain) P.O. Box 80488, Cheung Sha Wan, Drew Christiansen, SJ (USA) Kowloon, Hong Kong Andrea Vicini, SJ (USA) Phone: +852 2727 2018 David Neuhaus, SJ (Israel) Fax: +852 2772 7656 Camilo Ripamonti, SJ (Italy) www.ucanews.com Vladimir Pachkow, SJ (Russia) Publishers: Michael Kelly, SJ and Arturo Peraza, SJ (Venezuela) Robert Barber Bert Daelemans, SJ (Belgium) Production Manager: Thomas Reese, SJ (USA) Rangsan Panpairee Paul Soukup, SJ (USA) Grithanai Napasrapiwong Friedhelm Mennekes, SJ (Germany) Marcel Uwineza, SJ (Rwanda) CONTENTS 0518 15 May 2018 Monthly Year 2 1 ‘I am a Mission’ Toward the Synod on Young People Diego Fares, SJ 16 The Church Says ‘No’ to Nuclear Weapons Pastoral and moral implications Drew Christiansen, SJ 30 Christian Identity in a Globalized and Pluralist World Joseph Joblin, SJ 45 Making Christianity More Chinese? Pastoral perspectives Benoît Vermander, SJ 55 The Future of Europe Fernando de la Iglesia Viguiristi, SJ 71 The Chinese Presence in Africa Fidèle Ingiyimbere, SJ 85 The Story of Aloysius Gonzaga Giovanni Arledler, SJ 99 Wonder Wheel, a film by Woody Allen Virgilio Fantuzzi, SJ ABSTRACTS ARTICLE 1 ‘I AM A MISSION’ TOWARD THE SYNOD ON YOUNG PEOPLE Diego Fares, SJ The central theme of the next Synod, on young people, is vocational discernment. On hearing the word “vocation,” the first thing that usually comes to mind is the vocation to the consecrated life. However, the call of God is broader: it is also the humble and continuous universal vocation to the joy of love that the Father addresses to everyone whenever he invites us to work in his vineyard. To be able to hear this calling and choose the kind of service where love is realized, it is necessary to grow in the practice of spiritual discernment. The article develops the steps of discernment and its theological place at the heart of the culture of every people. ARTICLE 16 THE CHURCH SAYS ‘NO’ TO NUCLEAR WEAPONS PASTORAL AND MORAL IMPLICATIONS Drew Christiansen, SJ The article seeks to provide a preliminary sketch of the responsibilities of knowledge workers in the nuclear field. It takes as a starting-point some guidelines for just-war analysts, especially the moral theologians among them, understanding that the pastoral care and academic requirements of experts in other fields, like strategic analysts or bomb designers, will demand suitable adjustments and additions to the model presented here. The hope is that scholars will work together with pastoral workers to develop this kind of aid and put into practice the Church’s teaching on the immorality of deterrence. The author is the Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Global Human Development and a senior research fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown University in Washington. ABSTRACTS ARTICLE 30 CHRISTIAN IDENTITY IN A GLOBALIZED AND PLURALIST WORLD Joseph Joblin, SJ Since apostolic times the Church has played a fundamental role in uniting peoples despite their differences. One wonders if in our globalized world it is still possible to reconcile the diverse identities with the Christian ideal of universal fraternity. In both the Western and Asian worlds (China, India), the function of religion in resolving problems of existence is put into question. The role of Christianity in the future implies recognition of what is valid in other cultures. ARTICLE 45 MAKING CHRISTIANITY MORE CHINESE? PASTORAL PERSPECTIVES Benoît Vermander, SJ Chinese authorities have recently asked the religious traditions present in their territory to “sinicize” (zhongguohua) [to become more Chinese]. In response we must remember that the first Christian communities in China gave the message of the Gospel a form rooted in Chinese culture and memory. This request of the Chinese authorities offers an opportunity for Christians to reflect on the adaptation of the faith to the spiritual aspirations and to the cultural and social issues of China today. Christians are called, above all, to work toward a “humanization” of society. This aspiration must be welcomed with interest and respect by the civil authorities. The author is a professor of religious sciences at Fudan University of Shanghai. ABSTRACTS FOCUS 55 THE FUTURE OF EUROPE Fernando de la Iglesia Viguiristi, SJ Could the 60 years of the European Union (EU) be described as a success story? There is no shortage of reasons to respond affirmatively to this question. But where there is light, there are also shadows. In a dynamic, conflictual and transforming world, the EU has lost its leading role in the demographic, economic and political fields. Since 2008 it has been experiencing an unprecedented multidimensional crisis. Which of the scenarios envisaged by the White Paper on the Future of Europe is the Old Continent moving toward progressively? The great challenge remains that of renewing the original promise of the EU: a future of prosperity, equality and justice for all European citizens. The author is professor of International Economics at the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome. FOCUS 71 THE CHINESE PRESENCE IN AFRICA Fidèle Ingiyimbere, SJ In recent years an increasing Chinese presence has become noticeable throughout Africa from East to West, from North to South, through many large investment and infrastructure projects, and also through a widespread diffusion of small, local businesses. The interest of China in Africa is mainly motivated by its need for raw materials, new markets and other areas for demographic development. This article briefly describes the historical steps of this relationship, examines some areas where China is more active, and offers a critical reading, questioning if this is not a different form of colonialism. The article then analyzes the impact of the Chinese presence on human rights in Africa and concludes by noting how this presence offers new opportunities. The author is a professor of philosophy at Arrupe College in Harare, Zimbabwe. ABSTRACTS PROFILE 85 THE STORY OF ALOYSIUS GONZAGA Giovanni Arledler, SJ On the 450th anniversary of the birth of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Pope Francis endorsed the Jubilee Year of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, which opened on March 9. The essential traits of the saint are presented here, stripped of those enthusiasms for his extraordinary human and spiritual gifts, now accurately described and documented by recent hagiography. One should not forget that he belonged to one of the most important families of his time and his life in its entirety represents a significant contribution to history. This explains why the 23-year-old Jesuit is still recognized among the patrons of young people and is a source of inspiration and a model for the whole Church. ART, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT 99 WONDER WHEEL, A FILM BY WOODY ALLEN Virgilio Fantuzzi, SJ Won de r Wh eel, the new film by the prolific Woody Allen, is a complicated story of a family perched at the foot of a Ferris wheel overlooking the Coney Island amusement park. A couple past their prime are living precariously, both with troubled pasts behind them. They have their dreams, but they remain just that. Illusions can bring some relief when one is suffering, but be careful not to confuse illusions with reality for the chasm is always open and just one false step from falling into it. LCC 0618: JUNE TABLE OF CONTENTS • Collaborators of the Apostles and the Reform of the Roman Curia • Against Fierceness Annual Digital • South Korea after the Subscription Candlelight Revolution $79 • Techno-Theological Narratives Annual Print Subscription Asia: $160* • Laudato Si’ and Ethical Business Management in Africa Australia/NZ/Oceania: $200* USA/UK/Ireland/ • Putin and the Beginnings of Europe: $220* the Ukraine Crisis Rest of the world: $260* • An Alternative to Nationalism and Liberalism: An economy of Print + Digital Bundle reconciliation Asia: $200* • Some Aspects of Christian Australia/NZ/Oceania: $240* Salvation: Reflections on the USA/UK/Ireland/ Letter ‘Placuit Deo’ Europe: $260* Rest of the world: $280* Prices in US Dollars * Rates include postage & handling For educational and bulk rates, please email [email protected] ‘I am a Mission’ Toward the Synod on Young People Diego Fares, SJ The main theme of the next Synod, on young people, is vocational discernment. On hearing the word “vocation,” the first thing that comes to mind is the vocation to the consecrated life. However, the call of God is broader; it is not limited to “perfect” forms of life. It is also the humble and continuous 1 universal “vocation to the joy of love”1 that the Father addresses to everyone whenever he invites us to work in his vineyard.2 The Lord calls upon us with undiminished hope at every stage and moment of our lives, and his call echoes with a special strength in the hearts of young people.