UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia held the 20th International Conference on Charity and Voluntary Work, which focused on Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti. The event, organised together with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, was held online for the first time. Ecumenism was the main topic of the Conference. In this sense, the participation of Bartholomew I, head of the Orthodox Church in the world, stands out, for whom the experience of the crisis provoked by COVID-19 «should lead to a real repentance, to a turn from ‘I’ to ‘we’, for the common good, because in order to tackle the global challenges that affect humanity as a whole, the solution is always and everywhere the culture of solidarity, social orientation, fraternity, diaconia». He also stressed that «the encyclical Fratelli Tutti is a capstone of the social theology and teaching of our beloved brother Pope Francis. In it, he is asking all of us to stop looking at the world with indifference or cynicism and to start acting as members of the single human family, as brothers and sisters».

UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia also helps those most in need in the poorest areas of Africa, Latin America and India.

«Caring for the weak»

In the same line, José Manuel Lorca, bishop of Cartagena, stated that «the Pope encourages us to care for the weak and the fragile, overcoming personal interests, historical barriers; love builds bridges and we are made for love, as says the Pope in the encyclical». The bishop also underlined the strong involvement of UCAM with voluntary work and the pertinence of the topic of the Conference. For his part, José Luis Mendoza, president of UCAM, emphasised the importance of «the solidarity with those who are most in need that the volunteers of the associations that participate in this conference have and who commit their time and personal dedication». Likewise, he explained that «throughout the 25 years of existence of this university, we have allocated 236 million Euro to cover humanitarian needs, through 127 associations that take care of needy families, sick persons, people with disabilities, shelters and projects in Africa, Latin America and India».

«The encyclical Fratelli Tutti is a capstone of social theology and teaching of our brother, the Pope».