Why Dignity Matters: A Disability Perspective [Synopsis Only]
By John Fox
It is tempting to mistake money, sex, power, health, youth and strength as the basis of being human.
The full article is available by subscription to The Nathaniel Report
Tribute to Lynette (Lyn) Burt
28 June 1948 – 2 October 2018
Lyn began working as Administrator for The Nathaniel Centre in February 2000 and had continuous service in that role up to November 2013 when she resigned. During that time Lyn was, in many ways, the public face and public voice of the Centre – responsible for the smooth flow of information, for setting up and overseeing the library and financial systems and for handling the many requests for assistance that came in.
In particular, Lyn proved an outstanding editor of The Nathaniel Report, overseeing the layout, formatting and editing of almost 40 issues. Her eye for detail, and the knowledge she picked up about bioethical issues over the years, was critical to the consistently high standards of this publication, standards that have earned positive feedback over the years from readers not just in New Zealand but all over the world.
Lyn’s longstanding, generous and professional service over many years often went beyond what she was employed and paid for and has had a significant influence on the Church throughout New Zealand.
Prior to and during her employment at The Nathaniel Centre, Lyn worked in various parishes in both voluntary and paid capacities, including Stokes Valley, where she resided until recently, as well as Petone and Mt Victoria parishes. Lyn and her late husband Kerry also served as leaders in the Passionist Family Group movement in Stokes Valley Parish for more than 20 years.
On the 28th of January 2018 Lyn was presented with the Benemerenti Medal, a recognition given by the Pope to members of the laity and clergy for long and outstanding service to the Catholic Church.
Lyn died after a protracted illness during which she showed great courage and faith. In a personal tribute at her funeral, one of Lyn’s sons shared the content of a handwritten note Lyn had made headed up: “What brings me joy.”
-
Grandchildren leaving little notes and drawings around the house for me
-
Hugs & kisses from grandchildren
-
Seeing family enjoying each other’s company
-
Hearing the family laughing
-
Sharing a laugh with friends
-
Being able to do something for someone
May the angels lead you into paradise
May the martyrs come to welcome you
And take you to the holy city
The new and eternal Jerusalem
May the choirs of angels welcome you
And lead you to the side of Sarah and Abraham
And where Lazarus is poor no longer at the city gates
May you find eternal rest
Requiescat in pace Lyn
Laudato Si’ – On Care for Our Common Home
From the opening paragraph of Laudato Si’, Francis lays out his vision: “… our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.”1
In other words, care for the environment is a relational issue, and at the heart of the problem of climate change is a dysfunctional relationship between humankind and the earth we inherit along with all the life-forms created by God. So, the crisis is as much an internal, spiritual one as it is a physical one.
It is also, as Benedict XVI first observed, a problem that manifests itself in the way we conduct business globally, including the idea of unlimited growth and advancement without respect for the environment. Thus, we read:
… economic powers continue to justify the current global system where priority tends to be given to speculation and the pursuit of financial gain, which fail to take the context into account, let alone the effects on human dignity and the natural environment. Here we see how environmental deterioration and human and ethical degradation are closely linked. Many people will deny doing anything wrong because distractions constantly dull our consciousness of just how limited and finite our world really is. As a result, 'whatever is fragile, like the environment, is defenceless before the interests of a deified market, which become the only rule’.2
The deterioration of nature is closely connected to the culture in which we live and to our political and economic systems. These are connected to the ways we view the environment and the way we situate ourselves in relation to the world: that is, we can be “united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of his creatures and which also unites us in fond affection with brother sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth”3, or, “if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs.”4
1 Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ Of The Holy Father Francis On Care For Our Common Home, n.1.
2 Ibid., n.56.
3 Ibid., n.92.
4 Ibid., n.11.
“The Future is Accessible”: Celebrating the International Day of People with Disability Zachariah Duke [Synopsis only]
In this article, Zachariah Duke reflects on the ways in which, as a community, we can create a culture of hospitality that celebrates the gift of disability throughout the year. The challenge is to make inclusion an integral part of our everyday lives.
The full article is available by subscription to The Nathaniel Report.
Reading and Re-reading Laudato Si’ – Combining Realism and Optimism with Ethics, Science and Faith Jim McAloon [Synopsis only]
In this article, Jim McAloon offers a succinct overview of Pope Francis’ encyclical letter in Reading and Re-Reading Laudato Si’ – Combining Realism and Optimism with Ethics, Science and Faith. In particular, he draws attention to the distorted relationship that we have formed with the Earth – namely, the idea that our planet is merely a collection of “resources” to be exploited at will. What is needed is a “conversion, a change of mind and heart”.
The full article is available by subscription to The Nathaniel Report.