Each month, Pope Francis puts forward a prayer intention and asks Catholics around the world to join him in prayer. These monthly prayer intentions reflect the concerns of the Holy Father for the humanity and the sacred mission of the Catholic Church.
In August, Pope Francis has asked us to pray for political leaders around the world. We invite you to join Cathy Uechtritz, Archdiocese of Brisbane’s Director of Government Relations, in praying for political leaders worldwide, and that they prioritise the service of their people and work towards integral human development and the common good. In a world facing numerous challenges, from social injustice to environmental crises, the Pope urges political leaders to make decisions guided by a spirit of solidarity, compassion, and inclusiveness. By fostering collaboration and unity, political leaders can help build a more just and peaceful society that respects the dignity of every individual. Let us pray for political leaders worldwide, that God may bless them with wisdom, understanding, discernment, and knowledge to make decisions that will positively impact our communities.
Pope Francis’ Monthly Prayer Intention – August 2024 – Transcript
Hello, my name is Cathy Uechtritz, and I am the Director of Government Relations here at the Archdiocese of Brisbane. Today, we join Pope Francis in praying for all our political leaders around the world. Pope Francis emphasises the need for our leaders to prioritise the service of their people, working towards integral human development and the common good. In a world facing numerous challenges, from social injustice to environmental crises, the Pope urges political leaders to make decisions guided by a spirit of solidarity, compassion, and inclusiveness. By fostering collaboration and unity, political leaders can help build a more just and peaceful society that respects the dignity of every individual.
We often hear the phrase ‘separation of Church and State.’ While this principle ensures the independence of each, and is absolutely essential. It is also important to recognise the mutual benefits of collaboration between the two. It is with this spirit of collaboration and unity, that there are immense mutual benefits between the Church and the State. They both face similar challenges and share a common goal: the service of their people.
The Catholic Church in Queensland, like the state, is a diverse community. It includes First Peoples of Australia, descendants of both convicts and their guards, migrants seeking new opportunities, and refugees fleeing conflict and persecution. This diversity reflects the broader changes in Queensland’s society over time. Despite these challenges, the Church has always strived for unity, gathering its diverse members in a common cause.
Catholic institutions, be it churches, schools, hospitals and welfare agencies, have been integral to Queensland’s development. These Catholic institutions are vital resources for the government, providing a rich network of engaged expertise and firsthand knowledge of community issues. Our communities, with their up-to-date, on-the-ground insights, can help governments address problems effectively.
Church communities play a crucial role as non-government voices in policy development and public discourse. By tapping into this vast network, governments can improve their work for Queensland communities. True partnership involves collaborative decision-making and both deliver mission. Governments should embrace openness, openness to advocacy informed by grassroots operations and openness to new ideas.