Where Charity is - there is God (Ubi Caritas Deus ibi est): (August 2008)

In his first encyclical letter (Deus Caritas Est), Pope Benedict says –“The Church’s deepest nature is expressed in her threefold responsibility: of proclaiming the word of God, celebrating the sacraments, and exercising the ministry of charity. These duties presuppose each other and are inseparable. For the Church, charity is not a kind of welfare activity which could equally be left to others, but part of her nature, an indispensable expression of her very being.” (25)

It is in the practise of charity that the Church reveals love as both the Divine nature and gift to the human family. The Pope distinguishes between worthy humanitarian aid and charity which is practical love of the neighbour inspired by an awareness of the totality of God’s love for us and the whole human family. While he praises the universal concern for human welfare and the impressive organisation of the many agencies which can respond swiftly to humanitarian crises in any part of the globe, he also asserts that Charity or Christian love witnesses to another dimension which is essential.

Fr Perry Gildea - Vincentian Fathers

Cliftonville Road, Belfast 15

“While professional competence is a primary,fundamental requirement, it is not of itself sufficient. We are dealing with human beings and human beings always need something more than technically proper care. They need humanity. They need heartfelt concern...enabling them to experience the richness of their humanity...

Charity workers need a formation of the heart; they need to be led to that encounter with God in Christ which awakens their love and opens their spirits to others.”(31-a)

The Pope emphasises that Christian love is universal, open to all, and moved by the cry of the poor whoever and wherever they are.

He is also at pains to emphasise that the exercise of love must never be an opportunity for proselytism. “Those who practise charity in the Church’s name will never seek to impose the Church’s will on others... A Christian knows that God is love and that God’s presence is felt at the very time when the only thing we do is love.” (31-c)

Of those then who carry out the works of Charity – they must realise they are acting in the person of the Church – “they must be persons moved by Christ’s love, persons whose hearts Christ has conquered with his love, awakening in them a love of the neighbour.” (33)

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This then leads to an awareness of our need to grow closer to Christ through personal prayer and encounter in the Sacraments. “Practical activity will always be insufficient, unless it visibly expresses a love for man, a love nourished by an encounter with Christ” (34)

To be a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul must be recognised in this year of Vocation, as a special vocation to practise love for the poor whoever they are in the name of the Church. Such love reveals God. Where love is, there is God.

Fr Perry (August 2008)

Pope Benedict XVI