That All May Be One / Fr. Rick Ginther

Like Pope Leo, let’s be mindful, show wisdom in the words we speak

Actions speak louder than words. So goes the adage.

Words are powerful. They are often the impetus to action.

We are awash in words in our digital age. Printed. Posted. Spoken. Recorded. Hyperbolic. Superlative. Inflected. Inflicted.

In his encyclical letter “Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” Pope Leo XIV shared the following words: “The first contribution we can make toward a more humane civilization is to be mindful of our words” (#214).

Since his election, the pope has repeated this sentiment. In fact, very soon after his election, he stated: “Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world.”

“Words have enormous power, something we experience in our daily interactions; for example, spoken words can change our mood for better or for worse” (#214).

His encyclical continues: “Peace begins with each one of us: in the way we look at others, listen to others and speak about others.

“In this sense, the way we communicate is of fundamental importance: we must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war” (#214).

He adds, “We must all, therefore, examine our conscience regarding the words we use, the prejudices we have and the explicit or implicit aggression that lies within them” (#214).

Archbishop Christophe Z. El Kassis, the new permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, employed Pope Leo’s words in his first official address.

He spoke to the Global Conference on Promoting Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance in Countering Hate Speech on Sept. 17 in New York.

He noted the Holy See’s position that each and every individual is made in the image and likeness of God, an inalienable dignity that cannot be lessened by any expression or ideology of hatred.

“Any hate speech—directed at either individuals or communities because of their religion, race, nationality or any other characteristic—goes against the commandment to love one’s neighbor.

“Moreover, it poisons public discourse, inflames division, and too often prepares the ground for violence and persecution, ” Archbishop El Kassis noted.

While “freedom of expression is a fundamental right that must be protected,” this freedom has incumbent responsibilities.

“Words or speech that intentionally provoke violence or hatred cannot claim the protection of liberty; rather it erodes the very conditions in which genuine freedom can flourish,” the archbishop said.

Reiterating the pope’s message concerning peace, Archbishop El Kassis urged: “We must disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred; let us free it from aggression.

“We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice. …”

He added, “Disarmed and disarming communication allows us to share a different view of the world and to act in a manner consistent with our human dignity.”

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Speak unto others as you would have them speak unto you.

Wisdom of the ages, of all religions. Wisdom is so crucially needed in our time.

Let us live this wisdom through our words. Let us, like Archbishop El Kassis, spread the compelling message of Pope Leo XIV.
 

(Father Rick Ginther is director of the archdiocesan Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. He is retired from full-time pastoral ministry, yet active as a priest of the archdiocese.) †