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Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Warren Smith left a shining legacy in Aurora
Thirteen years ago, I wrote the story of Aurora's Warren Smith, who was a retired Catholic school principal and also the retired Aurora Area Superintendent of Catholic Schools. The editor appropriately titled the story as 'A Good Shepherd of Catholic Education in Aurora.' Mr. Smith (he will always be Mr. to students and to teachers who worked under his leadership) passed away in December of 2023. There were no public tributes or media stories at the time of his passing, and he probably would have vetoed any such attempt. As I checked through old school records and talked with people who had worked with him, an amazing story of his life's work and dedication began to open up. The persistent theme of his many years of leadership became obvious: he presided over times of great change in our society, and particularly in Catholic education. In fact, the title of a Beacon-News story in 2018 was 'Change is the norm for Aurora's Catholic Schools.' Mr. Smith's career began as a social studies teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Aurora in 1963. His leadership qualities emerged and, at the age of 28, he became the principal of that school in 1967. As I talked with him for the 2018 story, he mentioned that he began noticing changes soon after assuming his leadership role. 'During the 1960s, and because of Vatican II, some conservative Catholics who didn't want change may have felt pushed out,' he said. 'In 1964, enrollment at our school stood at 800, but around 1970, it began a transition to two rooms per grade instead of three. 'Affordability started to become an issue, and a great decline in the number of teaching Sisters played a big part in the downturn,' he said. Lay teachers were needed to fill that void, and the expense of salaries became an important issue. Budgeting and funding for all of the Catholic schools became an important change starting in the 1970s, and a downward trend in enrollment began. Mr. Smith, along with other administrators and lay leaders, faced this as a new challenge. With a certain amount of bravery, they forged ahead with determination to keep Catholic schools alive and vibrant. Not having enough on his plate, and while continuing as school principal, he was appointed Aurora Area Superintendent of Catholic Schools in 1985, and continued in that role until 1997. His scope immediately increased to his being the leader of nine elementary schools and also Aurora Central Catholic High School. Change was the norm of those years—changes in the church and the Diocese of Rockford, along with legal, constitutional and economic issues and changes. Strong leadership was needed, and Mr. Smith was in the forefront. The most stellar achievement of the Aurora Catholic School System during his years as superintendent was probably the opening of the new Aurora Central Catholic campus on Edgelawn Drive in 1995. It was a multi-year project fraught with many hurdles, but many leaders and volunteers persevered through them all. The final hurdle came when the bishop of the Rockford Diocese wanted to have the project stopped, but that objection was overcome with difficulty. Some referred to the opening of the new campus as a miracle. The following message was one of many left following Mr. Smith's online obituary: 'Warren and Bob (Stewart, longtime principal of Aurora Central Catholic) pulled off and helped sustain a new miracle Catholic high school in the creation of ACC on its new site — along with the many other dedicated and passionate people intent on keeping the ACC school and tradition alive. That is a legacy that transcends time, just as Warren's many other accomplishments will do also.' Also in 1995, Mr. Smith left his role as elementary principal to devote full time and effort to his superintendent's role. I remember his telling me that his first office was an empty room in the new ACC building with a card table and a folding chair. But as he settled into his new routine, the same bishop of Rockford eliminated the job of Aurora Area Superintendent in 1997. Needing to continue working, he became the principal of St. Thomas School in Crystal Lake. He commuted to that position from Aurora, and retired in 2002. Along with his lovely wife Joyce, Mr. Smith continued to be very active back in his home parish at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Aurora, even serving as interim principal of its school in 2003-2004. Together the Smiths authored a book honoring the centennial celebration of the parish in 2009. Mr. Smith chaired several committees, and his advice was always sought for important projects and decisions. His leadership abilities and qualities were always evident, and he sometimes had to make unpopular decisions over the years, as do all effective leaders. At the same time, he was an unassuming and humble person. Throughout three generations of great, and sometimes difficult, changes in education, thousands of young people benefited from the steady and unwavering dedicated leadership of Mr. Warren D. Smith. Long live his memory.
Herald Malaysia
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Ut Unum Sint turns 30: A milestone for Christian unity
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Ut unum sint, Pope St John Paul II's landmark encyclical on ecumenism, signed on May 25, 1995, the Solemnity of the Ascension. Jun 06, 2025 (Aleteia/Hazem Bader This year marks the 30th anniversary of Ut unum sint, Pope St John Paul II's landmark encyclical on ecumenism, signed on May 25, 1995, the Solemnity of the Ascension. Building on Vatican II's Unitatis redintegratio, the document reaffirmed the Catholic Church's irrevocable commitment to Christian unity. Deacon Daniel Galadza, a professor at Rome's Pontifical Oriental Institute and member of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, notes how UUS affirms the term 'sister churches' for Eastern churches not in communion with Rome and embraces the image of the Church 'breathing with both lungs,' East and West. At its heart is Christ's desire 'that all may be one.' Though written three decades ago, UUS remains relevant today, especially as the Church celebrates another Jubilee Year. Many themes continue to echo, including ongoing dialogue with the Eastern Churches and growing signs of unity, such as Orthodox participation in papal liturgies and the return of relics to Constantinople. Deacon Galadza highlights Pope Leo XIV's recent audience with Eastern Catholics, a papal event that, though not overtly ecumenical, underscored the unity and mission of the Eastern Churches — both in and outside communion with Rome. He notes that Pope Leo's use of Eastern saints and his concern for Christians in conflict zones like the Middle East, Ukraine, and Tigray resonate deeply with Orthodox Christians. Looking ahead, Deacon Galadza says unity may still feel distant, but progress has been made. Gestures like the Ecumenical Patriarch's presence at Pope Leo's inauguration are powerful signs of hope, pointing towards the shared longing for full communion, one day, at the Eucharistic table. --Vatican News
Euronews
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
'It is impossible to invent something as exotic as the Vatican'.
Javier Cercas likes to describe his book as a non-fiction novel, a mixture of chronicle, autobiography and biography (of Pope Francis). "It is impossible to invent something as exotic and extraordinary as the Vatican. Believe me, it's totally impossible. Why would I make it up?" The Vatican opened its doors wide to him and for two years he was able to meet a whole series of high-ranking officials. "It's part of what was unusual about this pope. He was able to open doors. The Church had never done that before, opening the doors of the Vatican to a writer to ask questions, to talk, to discuss, to see whatever he wanted to see and to write whatever he wanted to write," explains Cercas. He accepted the commission despite not being a believer. "For me it was an extraordinary opportunity. I have sometimes been asked: how could you accept something like this, being an atheist and anti-clerical? My answer is: how could I not accept something like that? Javier Cercas travelled with Pope Francis to Mongolia where he was able to speak with missionaries and even with the pontiff himself. To write the book he had to overcome his own prejudices and his wife's warning that he could end up whitewashing the Church. When asked if Pope Francis was a revolutionary, he responds with reflection. "If by revolutionary you mean a pope who has changed Christian doctrine, the answer is no. He has not changed anything against what they say. He has changed nothing against what the forerunners say or it is irrelevant what he has changed. Now, if by revolutionary we mean a Pope who tries, as Vatican II wanted, to return to the primitive Church, then yes," says the Spanish writer. Cercas prefers to speak of a disruptive Pope because "for many people in the hierarchy, for many priests, but also for many ordinary Catholics, he has been very disturbing". From his conversations in the Vatican, he concludes that Pope Francis raised many fundamental issues, such as the role of women in the Church or paedophilia, and tried to put the means to solve them. But things are moving slowly in an institution with so many centuries of history. "This idea that the Pope does whatever he wants is false. It's one of the things that we lay people think works like that. But it doesn't work like that. The Pope cannot do whatever he wants". In his opinion, Pope Leo XIV will continue the reforms of his predecessor, but respecting the forms and with greater moderation. He recalls that Pope Francis, already on the first day, appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica without the papal vestments, while Leo XIV wore them. "The outcome of this conclave is a pope, to a large extent, who will be a continuation of Francis, I have no doubt," he says. But the changes may be slow, since, according to Cercas, "to carry out this revolution you don't need one pope, you need 55 popes". He explains that the American Robert Prevost has at least two facets that could mark the character of his pontificate. "First of all, he is a missionary. And that is the cleanest, most luminous part of the Church". But, according to Cercas, he also belongs to another part that he describes as "more suspicious", the Vatican. "This man was a man who was also in the Vatican, who was part of the curia by decision of Francis himself". In his book, Cercas poses many theological questions to his interlocutors in interviews that he transcribes throughout the book. And almost obsessively he wants to reach the Pope to ask him about the "resurrection of the flesh" and, more specifically, whether his mother, who is a believer, will be able to be reunited with his father after death. But to find out if the Pope's answer convinced his mother, you have to read God's Fool: "That's at the end of the book. I can't tell you."
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
The Church And The Market: What Pope Leo XIV Might Teach The World
With the goal of providing a moral compass, theologians and leaders of the Catholic Church have often written about economic principles. Some such principles can even be drawn from Christ's own parables. Here, though, I will focus on writings of the three most recent popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. It is a safe bet that Pope Leo XIV will continue with similar messages, incorporating the teachings of his immediate predecessors. Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost addresses the crowd on the main central loggia balcony of ... More the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025. Robert Francis Prevost was on Thursday elected the first pope from the United States, the Vatican announced. A moderate who was close to Pope Francis and spent years as a missionary in Peru, he becomes the Catholic Church's 267th pontiff, taking the papal name Leo XIV. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP) (Photo by TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images) To put these writings in context, it is necessary to start with the framework provided by Church documents, especially the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et spes, which is a cornerstone of Vatican II's social teaching. In its 76th paragraph, the constitution clarifies that Church teachings should not be taken as political documents: "It is very important, especially in pluralistic societies, that there be a correct notion of the relationship between the political community and the Church. It is clear that the political community and the Church are autonomous and independent of each other in their own fields. Yet both, under different titles, are devoted to the personal and social vocation of the same human beings. The more both foster sound cooperation between themselves, with the more circumspect safeguarding of freedom proper to each, the more effective will their service be exercised for the good of all.' Gaudium et spes speaks also of the autonomy of science, and this includes economics. Autonomy of science, and especially of social science, does not mean independence. While the natural order and the spiritual order do not have all the same principles, the two orders are by no means completely separate. It is essential to start with a correct understanding of the human person and his relationships. When it comes to political systems, few paragraphs have been quoted more on this than paragraph 42 of John Paul II's landmark encyclical Centesimus annus: 'Returning now to the initial question: can it perhaps be said that, after the failure of Communism, capitalism is the victorious social system, and that capitalism should be the goal of the countries now making efforts to rebuild their economy and society? Is this the model which ought to be proposed to the countries of the Third World which are searching for the path to true economic and civil progress? The answer is obviously complex. If by 'capitalism' is meant an economic system which recognizes the fundamental and positive role of business, the market, private property and the resulting responsibility for the means of production, as well as free human creativity in the economic sector, then the answer is certainly in the affirmative, even though it would perhaps be more appropriate to speak of a "business economy", "market economy" or simply "free economy". But if by "capitalism" is meant a system in which freedom in the economic sector is not circumscribed within a strong juridical framework which places it at the service of human freedom in its totality, and which sees it as a particular aspect of that freedom, the core of which is ethical and religious, then the reply is certainly negative.' Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, before becoming Pope Benedict XVI, stressed that a free society can only subsist where people share basic moral convictions and high moral standards. He emphasized this at his induction into the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences of the Institute of France, adding that such convictions need not be 'imposed or even arbitrarily defined by external coercion.' In his lecture he noted, '[Tocqueville's] Before becoming Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Robert Prevost spent decades in Peru, which went from being a ... More failing state, to one of the fastest growing economies in the Americas. Picture from the celebration anniversary of the Diocese in Chulucanas, Peru, Aug. 12, 2024. (Diocese of Chulucanas via AP) Pope Benedict XVI argued that freedom, coupled with consciousness and love, comprise the essence of being. 'The person, the unique and unrepeatable, is at the same time the ultimate and highest thing. In such a view of the world, the person is not just an individual; a reproduction arising from the diffusion of the idea into matter, but rather, precisely, a 'person.'" In his encyclical Caritas in veritate, Pope Benedict affirmed the necessity of a strong charitable sector that would help foster community and mutual respect. His teachings challenged the world to see economic activity not merely as a means of wealth generation but as an integral part of human development. Inspired by this encyclical, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (PCJP, since renamed the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development) published a document titled 'The Vocation of the Business Leader' as a kind of vade-mecum for business men and women. It reads like a handbook to be utilized by professors in formative moments and for instruction in schools and universities. The document is now in its fifth edition and includes a guide for the examination of conscience, a discernment list, with insightful questions such as: 'Am I creating wealth, or am I engaging in rent-seeking behavior?' And: 'Do I truly accept the competitive market economy or am I engaging in anti-competitive practices?' Having spent most of his life in Argentina, Pope Francis witnessed the decay of his once prosperous society. As a young priest he lived through the horror and drama of an internal war between left-wing subversive groups and the overt and covert repression by military and paramilitary organizations. He lived through periods of hyperinflation. While Francis was bishop of Buenos Aires, three large multinational companies - IBM, Siemens and Skanska - were convicted for bribery. Francis thus did not have an optimistic view of the market economy. For instance, in his post-synodal apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium he denounced the "idolatry of money" and called for an economy that places people, especially the poor, at its center. In his encyclical Laudato si' he links economic justice with environmental sustainability, framing both as interconnected aspects of care for creation. As I wrote in previous articles for I had hopes that Pope Francis would incorporate into his teachings the economic contributions of noted Jesuits, especially the writings of Matteo Liberatore (1810-1892) and Oswald Von Nell-Breuning (1890-1991), who helped refine social doctrine on private property, but that was not the case. Leo XIV and Peruvian Economic Success Previous popes' respective native countries and academic cultures influence their teachings and behavior. John Paul II spent many decades under communism, Benedict XVI lived in Germany and in Rome studying and surrounded by scholars, and Pope Francis, as I wrote above, lived during difficult periods of Argentine decay. Pope Leo XIV spent over two decades in Peru, from 1985 to 1998 and later as bishop of Chiclayo from 2014 to 2023. When he arrived, society was under attack by several left-wing terrorist organizations, notably the Shining Path and the Tupac Amaru movement. At the time, analysts in Washington were predicting the disintegration of Peru as a nation. But after the terrorists were defeated under the presidency of Alberto Fujimori, Peru changed economic course and achieved some of the fastest rates of economic growth in the Americas. This big jump in economic freedom took place during the end of the last century. During the first decades of our century, Peru maintained a moderately free economy, as measured by the Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic Freedom. Peru also showed a similar improvement in the economic freedom index of the Fraser Institute, it went from a score of 6 out of 10, to 7.42 in 2022, from #70 in the world to #43. Both Heritage and Fraser rank Peru in the top third of the world. The country would have scored higher in economic freedom if not for its very low scores in rule of law and government integrity. Peru's relative stability in economic policy, though, contrasts with the political scene. Most Peruvian presidents during Pope Leo's stay in Peru were indicted, impeached, or deposed, and one of them, Alan García, who served two terms, rather than facing jail, committed suicide. As measured by the Heritage Foundation, after defeating a communist insurgency, Peruvian economic ... More policies moved towards freedom. The bad scores in property rights, government integrity, and judicial effectiveness, prevents Peruvian from enjoying an even better economy When explaining why he chose his name, Leo XIV stated that he is following Leo XIII's commitment to social issues and workers' rights during the industrial revolution. Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical Rerum novarum ('On New Realities') addressed the era's rapidly changing economic scene and the resulting impact on workers. Private property was an essential aspect of his views on social justice. Leo XIV, in explaining his choice of name, spoke about the new challenges of our century that parallel those confronted by Leo XIII, especially the rise of artificial intelligence, which is already affecting the workforce. I, for one, expect that Leo XIV's economic teachings will parallel those of John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, as well as some, but not all, of Pope Francis's views on economics. I also expect that Leo XIV's views will be influenced by the decades he lived in Peru. During that period, the Peruvian economy began a remarkable run. A key component of Peruvian economic success was the control of inflation, which in the late 1980s had soared past 7000%. Peru began to implement rigorous monetary policies in the 1990s. By the 2000s and 2010s, inflation rates were maintained in the low single digits, fostering price stability and growing investor confidence. Fiscal discipline helped the monetary authorities. Successive governments, despite being plagued by scandals and having different ideologies, pursued prudent fiscal policies. This led to low fiscal deficits and manageable public debt levels, ensuring that Peru avoided the financial pitfalls that plagued many of its neighbors. Between the early 2000s and 2019, Peru saw an average annual GDP growth rate of 5–6 %, one of the fastest-growing economies in the region during that period. These solid economic fundamentals allowed the country to weather the 2008 financial crisis and the 2014 commodity price shock better than other countries. Economic growth also led to a huge decline in poverty rates, which fell from over 55% in 2001 to approximately 20% by 2019. I have traveled to Peru fairly often, and one can see the impact of sustained economic development, which particularly in urban areas has contributed to a growing middle class. Poverty rates went down in Peru during most of the period spent by Fr Robert Prevost, now Leo XIV, ... More in Peru. Freer trade also played a major role in Peru's economic growth. The country signed free trade agreements with U.S., China, and the EU, which opened doors for trade diversification. Mining exports have been key to Peru's success in reducing poverty. Private sector investment in mining positioned Peru among the world's top exporters of copper, gold, and silver, and the country also has abundant rare earth deposits. All this has made Peru a leading destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Latin America. In addition to the issue of corruption that affects Peru and most developing countries, the Pope likely has a special understanding of the problem of the extra-legal economy, the large informal sector which limits access to social protection. The in-depth studies appearing in Hernando de Soto's pathbreaking book The Other Path, written in collaboration with Enrique Ghersi and Mario Ghibellini, explained in detail the causes of this informality: a myriad of regulations and the high cost of property titling. Despite the many gains made, this problem still affects two thirds of Peru's economy. Before being called to the Vatican, the future Leo XIV was bishop of Chiclayo, which performed even better than most other regions of Peru. The new pope's experience of the issues that have affected Peru over the last few decades will hopefully shed new light on the papal economics of this century.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How Chicago Shaped Pope Leo XIV
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost addresses the crowd from the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time in the Vatican on May 8, 2025. Credit - Tiziana Fabi—AFP/Getty Images The election of Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV took most of us by surprise. More than most, after spending 12 years in Rome with him as a superior of a religious community, and especially as a fellow classmate at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago from 1977 to 1982, the announcement of 'Robertus Franciscus Prevost' from the logia of St. Peter's Basilica seemed like something from a movie. I knew him as 'Bob' and will always think of him this way. We studied together as seminarians and served our communities as international superiors. Yet, this announcement changed everything, and now he is to be counted among the vicars of Peter, whose almost 2,000-year history we pondered in the text books we studied as we prepared for priesthood. What does the new Pope bring to the Church? He is a man formed by his experience in the church of Chicago, especially the south side—a Church that has often been on the front lines of fighting racial injustice—a Church that has also struggled with racism within its own ranks. He is also a product of the Order of St. Augustine—with its rich and profound spirituality and a charism for teaching and reaching out to the poor. He is also formed by his studies at Catholic Theological Union, a seminary for priests from religious communities conceived in a new mode after Vatican II; one that did not isolate seminarians from the realities of the world in some far-off bucolic location. Rather, it was inspired by the last document of the Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes whose first, immortal words echo so prophetically today: 'The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the people of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.' Read More: The True Meaning of an American Pope Situated in the city, studying for the priesthood with women religious, lay men and women, made it clear that the vision of the Church bequeathed to us by the Council was alive and needed to be implemented. Pope Leo XIV, though, is not just a Pope of the U.S. 'near.' He has spent the bulk of his life in serving the international church—especially the global south 'far.' As a missionary in northern Peru and later as Prior General of the Augustinian order, he comes to this new ministry with an international sensitivity that would be hard to find in other cardinals. While holding a graduate degree in Canon Law, his time in Latin America has taught him that the Church is not to be solely defined as a 'perfect society' ruled by canon law. Rather, it is the faith of the people—Pope Francis' 'Santo Pueblo y Fiel' (Holy Faithful People)—that has imparted the faith to generation after generation in so many parts of the Catholic world. It is obvious that popular religious expressions of the faith, as a real inculturation of the gospel, are an aspect of evangelization to which Pope Leo will be especially sensitive. Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, being a theological school known for outstanding professors of missiology and its international student body, helped prepare Pope Leo for his subsequent ministry that crossed borders and cultures. It is also obvious that Pope Leo will be following in the path pointed out to the Church by Pope Francis. The issue is simple. If the Church is to continue to effectively proclaim the Gospel, it must be in a position to listen to everyone—especially those on the margins. The way the Church teaches also needs to be more in action than through mere words. Outreach to those who have traditionally not had a strong voice—to the poor, to women, to the vast part of the Church that no longer belongs to Europe or North America, will also be a focused concern for Pope Leo. Dealing with sensitive issues such as LGBTQ persons as well as weighing in on politically charged questions such as the unjust invasion of Ukraine and the plight of Israel and the Palestinians will undoubtedly be a concern on which he will focus. As a seminary classmate, fellow priest, and fellow Christian, I rejoice in the election of Robert Prevost as our new Holy Father. The nearness of God's grace and God's love is surely manifest in the election of a Holy Father whose origins are from somewhere that to many may seem unlikely and even miraculous. Someone born in Chicago! Contact us at letters@
