Message from the retiring President, Prof. Anna Maria Tarantola
Dear members and friends,
As mentioned in advance during the General Assembly last June 20th., with much regret I have decided not to seek renewal on expiration of my mandate for personal reasons; this was not an easy choice to make because the bond with Centesimus is strong, but life confronts us with priorities that must be accepted with serenity.
As you well know the Vatican authorities have in the meantime appointed Prof. Paolo Garonna, who knows the Foundation well because he has been a member of our Scientific Committee for many years and participates in the meetings of the Rome group. Prof. Garonna has extensive experience in international organizations, has been a senior executive in financial institutions, is currently professor of economic policy at LUISS G. Carli University in Rome and is the author of studies and publications on the Social Doctrine of the Church. He enjoys an excellent reputation in economic and academic circles.
I am confident that he will be able to guide our Foundation with discernment and pursue further important goals.
I take the opportunity of the issue of the first edition of the Newsletter, which is very important to me, to extend affectionate greetings and best wishes to all.
The five years of my presidency have been marked by terrible and unexpected events: the Covid pandemic (March 2020) and Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine (February 2022) and also by the long effects of the Great recession of 2008, Brexit, the whirlwind development of technological innovation, and the exploding effects of the climate crisis.
In this complex and uncertain context, characterized by widespread wars, many crises and major transitions the action of Centesimus is particularly relevant to propose a different model of development oriented towards the good of all, no one excluded, and of creation.
I am particularly pleased that we have managed, albeit with some difficulties, to operate as a community, all united by one goal: evangelization through the dissemination of the Social Doctrine of the Church (SDC) and particularly the Magisterium of Pope Francis.
We have initiated and/or consolidated many paths: internationalization, collaboration with universities, the involvement of young people, new forms of communication, the choice of themes with global and local relevance, webinars, the Dialogues for an Integrally sustainable finance which have received the support of the Holy Father.
In 2023 we celebrated the 30th Anniversary and experienced particularly exciting and spiritually intense moments; it was good to feel all of us close and part of one design for the progress of our Mother Church in constant closeness with the Holy Father.
In the Mission Report, which is an integral part of the 2023 Financial Statements, you will find reference to what was done by the various groups and by our Vatican Foundation, and I do encourage you to read the report.
But above all, we set out to give witness with our daily behaviors that living in peace as brothers working for the common good is not utopia but a possible and useful path for people, organizations and the planet.
You know that on the importance of giving personal and/or corporate witness I have insisted a lot because our example as people and as leaders of organizations is the high road to the spread of the SDC and we have worked on this. I recall that St. John XXIII in Mater et Magistra, 231, states that “Christian social doctrine is an integral part of the Christian conception of life,” and St. John Paul II in Centesimus Annus, point 5, says that SDC is an essential element of the new evangelization and “must be known, spread and witnessed to.” In Laudato Si’ Pope Francis proposes an “integral ecology” as a new paradigm of justice and calls for a conversion, a change in our lifestyle; in Fratelli tutti he invites us to work in fraternity and social friendship. This we have tried to do in a spirit of service and to this we have borne witness.
I thank everyone for what you have done, and I am sure you will continue to do under the leadership of Paolo Garonna, giving him all the necessary collaboration.
I thank you for the closeness that many have shown to me during particularly difficult personal times.
I am leaving the presidency but not Centesimus; I will continue to make my contribution.
I will end here quoting a passage from Psalm 34 (33), “Stay away from evil and do good, seek and pursue peace.” This is my wish for myself and for the entire Centesimus.
I wish you good work and good future developments.
Anna Maria Tarantola