In the current historical context, characterized by an increasingly precarious international balance of power, we are witnessing the decline in the use of military force in crisis management policies and the rediscovery of the importance of 'soft power'. There is no coincidence therefore, that many countries look to the Catholic Church and its role in religious, diplomatic and humanitarian fields for the peaceful resolution of conflicts. For this reason, a course for diplomats dedicated to the Catholic Church and the international politics of the Holy See, was founded in 2007 by the Gregoriana Foundation and the International Institute of Jacques Maritain. The most recent course was held this May 10 to 22 in Rome and then Turin, and involved a select group of students in diplomatic careers, invited by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs from 23 Latin American 23 countries. The Gregorian Foundation was created in 2003 in Rome to promote and support the mission of the Pontifical Gregorian University, the Pontifical Biblical Institute and the Pontifical Oriental Institute. The three main areas of interest and commitment of the Foundation are the communication of faith and theological formation, social justice, human values and ethics, and finally, genuine dialogue with believers of other religions. The International Institute of Jacques Maritain on the other hand is a non-profit cultural association, founded in 1974 by a group of international cultural and artistic, academic, political and ecclesiastical representatives,  inspired by the French Catholic personalist philosopher. The two-week course provided lectures followed by open discussions or workshops, visits to organizations and institutions of particular interest, and also encounters with various personalities of the Catholic world, and visits to places of artistic and cultural interest. Father Stephen Bove, Assistant of the Gregorian Foundation: "One of the defining objectives of the course is to provide knowledge of the political, cultural and social life of the Church to diplomats from countries of different regions of the world, as well as to include the action of the Holy See as an international organization, with its papal diplomacy and the political action of all the ambassadors accredited to the Holy See."Previous course sessions involved diplomats from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries as well as the African and Asian countries.Prof. Gabriela Habich, Vice-Secretary General of the International Institute of Jacques Maritain: "The age and range of diplomats and their cultural affiliation is wide: from persons who needed an 'ABC introduction' on the Catholic Church and the Christian world to countries that are deeply Christian, culturally." The course also provides follow-up for the participants.  Prof. Gabriela Habich: "Above all we maintain a database on the development of their careers and what they are doing today and how the course has allowed them access to certain places, to certain positions, and certain diplomatic missions." Faced with a human desert of post-modern society often in search of meaning, the purpose of the course is also to convey the vocation of the Catholic Church to defend the values of person in politics. Prof. Roberto Papini, Secretary General of the International Institute of Jacques Maritain: "The meaning of the policy document of Vatican II's Gaudium et Spes is largely based  on this idea of relationship between faith, justice and peace. Meaning that faith cannot remain only a symbol, or something personal, but must translate into action for justice, and therefore, in favor of peace."While valuing the role of stability in the worldwide political system of the Church, the course does not neglect the vertical dimension: the proclamation of Salvation.  Father Franco Imoda, President of the Gregorian Foundation: "I think  that various communications return to the theme that the Church has its own identity, its own characteristic that is a supernatural proclamation of salvation, but that is not only of a world beyond - as we say of diplomacy, it can create in this context something that is very incarnated.  And then, beginning from some issues that are common, as we have said, peace, education and assistance in the areas of greatest need, the underlying motivations surface. Why does the Church operate at this level? It is not a question of power, it is not a matter of immediate economic interest ...  these realities cannot be done away with because they are part of the world where we find ourselves, but the Church's mission is a transcendent mission and this, I believe, is accepted not only by people from quite different traditions, but also almost by those who want it reformulated. Our mission is not one that seeks to convert or even to give a strictly religious education, but these are present."www.fondazionelagregoriana.itwww.maritain.org

In the current historical context, characterized by an increasingly precarious international balance of power, we are witnessing the decline in the use of military force in crisis management policies...leggi tutto