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CAGLIERO 11 ~
newsletter for Salesian
Missionary Animation
Publication of the Missions Sector for SDB Communities and Friends of the Salesian Missions
Bioethical challenges
JI
through the eyes of a Salesian
Dear friends,
from the very first day in the
Novitiate my eyes were drawn
to the Globe in our study hall.
A Globe we find in every
community of ours. Every time
I passed by it a desire would
arise in me to go to one place
or another and see how the
Salesian charism had set up its
tent there. How many times
did I not look at those parts of
our beautiful planet where the
grey colour on the globe
indicated that we were not
present there. There too, in
those very places, young
people, especially the poorest,
are calling out to us.
Mission is part of our identity
as Christians, and it is as a
community of believers that
we can together be signs of
the Father's all-providing love
for all people of good will. The
joy, enthusiasm and initiative
of Don Bosco truly moves us to
a renewed missionary co-
mmitment..
▀ Fr. Francesco De Ruvo, SDB
Coordinator of the Office for
Missionary Animation in Italy
At the end of each of his speeches, Pope Francis insistently says: "Don't forget
to pray for me!". When the Holy father asks us to pray for him, it is not a mere
figure of speech. He feels on his shoulders the weight of decisions that affect,
above all, the faith and morals of believers. They find in his words a sure way
of facing hitherto unknown challenges, including in bioethics.
Almost thirty years ago, John Paul II established the Pontifical Academy for
Life to which he entrusted the delicate task of studying how to promote and
defend human life in order to develop a culture of life. The members of the
Academy are scientists from all over the world, who put their professionalism
at the service of the dignity of every single human being, no one excluded, no
one 'discarded' at any stage of his or her life.
And what are the latest projects you are working on7
In addition to the 'classic' challenges concerning the beginning and end of life
(e.g. Human Genome Editing and Palliative care), there are the 'new' ones
brought about by the progress of technology: algor-ethics, which seeks to
give a human imprint to artificial intelligence that is seeing exponential
progress never before seen in history; robo-ethics, which looks at how
humans and machines can work together, not against each other, to improve
the quality of life and to combat disease, ignorance and poverty. finally, the
major challenge of global bioethics is to reflect together on major issues by
offering cultural and religious input.
These are some of the most recent bioethical challenges that the Church helps
us to face with joy and hope. She does not want to replace our conscience,
nor our reason but, as Mother and Teacher, she wants only the good of her
children; that they do not live in error. Perhaps our Salesian mission is also this:
to pray for the Pope, study his Magisterium and form young people to the
culture of life .
▀ Fr. Peter Štellmach, SDB
Teacher of moral theology and vicar
of the Turin-Crocetta community
FOR REFLECTION
AND SHARING
▀ How can I contribute to
the promotion and
protection of human life?
▀ How can I favor a
culture of life in the
environment in which
I live?
