By Vatican News

The pastoral care of tourism has now passed from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development to the Dicastery for Evangelization. Pope Francis communicated the decision in a Rescript on Saturday following an audience on 7 September with Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Human Development. 

As stated in the document, which went into effect on the same day, 1 October 2022, the Pope “decided to transfer competence for the pastoral care of the faithful who undertake travel for piety, study, or recreational purposes from the same Dicastery (for Promoting Integral Human Development) to the Section for Fundamental Questions of Evangelization in the World of the Dicastery for Evangelization.”

Pastor Bonus

The Rescript recalls John Paul II’s Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus of 28 June 1988.

It said that, “drawing inspiration from the magisterium of the Second Vatican Council,” the Polish Pope had assigned “the competence both of the pastoral care of exiles, migrants, nomads, circus people, seafarers and air transport workers, and of the spiritual care of those who travel” to the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.

Transfer of competencies

With Humanam progressionem, the motu proprio published on 17 August 2016, Pope Francis had established at that time the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, which brought under its management the merger of four Pontifical Councils: Justice and Peace, Health Care Workers, Cor Unum, and, precisely, Migrants and Itinerants.

As a result, the competencies of that Pontifical Council were transferred to the newly-created Dicastery. Later, Pope Francis with a new motu proprio, Sanctuarium in Ecclesia of 11 February 2017 ensured that some areas of responsibility of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization were transferred to the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People, namely those mentioned in paragraph 151 of Pastor Bonus, which states that the Dicastery ” works to ensure that journeys which Christians undertake for reasons of piety, study, or recreation, contribute to their moral and religious formation, and it is available to the particular Churches in order that all who are away from home receive suitable spiritual care.”

Praedicate Evangelium

Finally, Praedicate Evangelium, the new apostolic constitution in force since 5 June, spelled out the reform of the Roman Curia by Pope Francis and abrogated Pastor Bonus.

The new Constitution called for “a redistribution of the aforementioned competencies,” as noted in Saturday’s Rescript, and therefore the transfer of responsbility to the Dicastery for Evangelization.

By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis, on Saturday, addressed the members of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (CSsR), commonly known as Redemptorists, who are gathered in Rome for the 26th General Chapter from 11 September to 7 October.

The four-week session is focused on setting the direction for the Congregation founded by St. Alphonsus de’ Liguori for the next six years and on electing its new governance to oversee its implementation.

In his prepared remarks, Pope Francis extended his greetings to the participants in the Chapter and to the entire Redemptorist Family, acknowledging in particular the new Superior General, Father Rogério Gomes.

Don’t be afraid to take new paths

Noting that celebrating a General Chapter “is not a canonical formality”, but “living a Pentecost, which has the capacity to make all things new”, Pope Francis highlighted the importance of the themes addressed by the session – that of identity, mission, consecrated life, formation and governance – to “rethink” their Alphonsian charism.

He encouraged Redemptorists “not to be afraid to take new paths and to dialogue with the world”, while keeping their gaze fixed on Jesus “who emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant.”

Conversion of heart and change of structures

Recalling that the focus of their charism is the “willingness” to face any trial to bring Christ’s Redemption to everyone, the Pope insisted on the importance of renewal in the Church and in consecrated life, “to respond with creative fidelity” to His  mission .

Renewal, he remarked, requires a process of “conversion of the heart and mind” (metanoia), and at the same time “a change of structures”. This sometimes implies parting from some old traditions and cultural customs – our “old jars”, which can be a “painful” process, but “necessary” if we want to become “missionaries of hope”.

Being  missionaries of hope

In this regard, he warned that “those who remain attached to their own certainties risk falling into a sclerosis of the heart, which hinders  the action of the Spirit in the human heart.”

Three pillars

As the Redemptorists embark on this process of renewal, Pope Francis also reminded them that “three fundamental pillars must not be forgotten: the centrality of the Mystery of Christ, community life and prayer.”

Wrapping up his address, Pope Francis expressed his wish that the newly-elected governing body of the Congregation will show “humbleness, unity, wisdom, and discernment” in leading the Redemptorist Family in these challenging times.

Never forget the poor

While entrusting the Congregation to the protection of the Mother of Perpetual Help, he concluded by praying that the Redemptorist Missionaries may be ”faithful and persevering” in their  mission, “never forgetting the poorest and the most neglected” they serve and to whom they announce the Good News of the Redemption.

With an estimated 12 billion workdays lost annually due to depression and anxiety, costing the global economy nearly $1 trillion, more action is needed to tackle mental health issues at work, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Wednesday.

The UN agencies have launched two publications which aim to prevent negative work situations and cultures while also offering mental health protection and support for employees.  

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Performance and productivity affected 

“It’s time to focus on the detrimental effect work can have on our mental health,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at WHO, which has issued global guidelines on the issue. 

“The well-being of the individual is reason enough to act, but poor mental health can also have a debilitating impact on a person’s performance and productivity.” 

The WHO guidelines contain actions to tackle risks to mental health at work such as heavy workloads, negative behaviours, and other factors that can create distress. 

For the first time, the UN health agency recommends manager training, to build their capacity to prevent stressful work environments and respond to workers’ needs. 

A workplace taboo 

WHO’s World Mental Health Report, published in June, revealed that of one billion people estimated to be living with a mental disorder in 2019, 15 per cent of working-age adults experienced a mental disorder.  

The workplace amplifies wider societal issues that negatively affect mental health, including discrimination and inequality, the agency said.

Bullying and psychological violence, also known as “mobbing,” is a key complaint of workplace harassment that has a negative impact on mental health. However, discussing or disclosing mental health remains a taboo in work settings globally. 

The guidelines also recommend better ways to accommodate the needs of workers with mental health conditions and proposes interventions that support their return to work. 

Increasing opportunities 

They also outline measures to ease entry into the jobs market, for those workers with severe mental health conditions. 

Importantly, the guidelines call for interventions for the protection of health, humanitarian, and emergency workers. 

A separate policy brief with ILO explains the WHO guidelines in terms of practical strategies for governments, employers and workers, and their organizations, in both the public and private sectors.  

The objective is to support the prevention of mental health risks, protect and promote mental health at work, and support those with mental health conditions, so they can participate and thrive at work.  

“As people spend a large proportion of their lives in work – a safe and healthy working environment is critical,” said, Guy Ryder, the ILO Director-General. 

“We need to invest to build a culture of prevention around mental health at work, reshape the work environment to stop stigma and social exclusion, and ensure employees with mental health conditions feel protected and supported.” 

ILO’s Convention on occupational safety and health, and a related recommendation, provide legal frameworks to safeguard workers.  

Lack of national programmes 

However, only 35 per cent of countries reported having national programmes for work-related mental health promotion and prevention. 

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a 25 per cent increase in general anxiety and depression worldwide, according to a WHO study published in March. 

The crisis exposed how unprepared governments were for its impact on mental health, as well as a chronic global shortage of mental health resources.  

In 2020, governments worldwide spent an average of just two per cent of health budgets on mental health, with lower-middle income countries allocating less than one per cent.