Argentinean Archbishop says true globalization implies universal call to holiness

Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 11, 2005 / 22:00 pm

Archbishop Carmelo Giaquinta of Resistencia, Argentina, said this week the era of globalization implies a "universal call to holiness."  "This is an ideal that should not be misunderstood, as if it implied a sort of extraordinary life, attainable only by a few 'geniuses' of holiness.  There are many paths to holiness appropriate to each person's vocation.  Now is the time to passionately remind everyone of this lofty degree of ordinary Christian life.  The entire life of the ecclesial community and of Christian families should go in this direction."

The archbishop also said that during the last few months, the Church has lived through a situation analogous to that of the apostles with the passion, death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord.

"With the suffering, death and solemn funeral of John Paul II and the posterior election of Benedict XVI, perhaps it's necessary that, like the apostles, somebody stirs us as well to make us wake up.  'Why do you keep looking at heaven?'  The solemnity of the Ascension is very appropriate for that," he maintained.

Archbishop Giaquinta noted that although modernity has made the spectacular a new ingredient in society, this "adds nothing" to the mission that each Christian must fulfill, except for "a greater responsibility, as it shows the importance of each Christian and the mission he or she must carry out.  We live in a globalized world that has become one big village, where the smallest of personal gestures has instant repercussions on the other side of the world.  Evil and confusion are globalized, but so too can be our testimony and solidarity.  Although in this era of globalization the vast majority continues to live in anonymity, this phenomenon allows us to better see how each person is unique and irreplaceable.  The great tide of humanity that filled St. Peter's Square in a matter of minutes at the sign of 'white smoke' would not have taken place without each one of these thousands of anonymous persons who spontaneously went to the Square," Archbishop Giaquinta said.

Later on in his message, the archbishop said, "Although we all aspire to reach heaven, we must journey on this earth carrying out our mission, each one according to his own vocation.  Fulfilling one's mission is the trampoline necessary to get there.  The mission is common.  The mission of the Christian faithful is not different from that of the bishop.  Both should give witness to Jesus Christ by word and example," he said in conclusion.