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INTENTION : |
That administrators of justice may act always with integrity and right conscience.
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Within the vast range of problems that the practice of justice creates in our world, as a virtue that inclines us, and requires us, to give to each one what is his, the Pope takes note of a specific, practical aspect, and asks our prayer for those who administer justice, in particular forms and at different levels. That is, he asks us to intercede with the Lord for our judges, understanding that term in its widest meaning and reality.
He chooses them because he knows very well that justice will be, in fact, what those are who administer and apply it. And without justice the peace that every heart longs for, as a supreme good without which neither persons nor families nor nations can lead a fitting life, is impossible.
Sadly, judges today very often do not enjoy respect and trust. It is one of the evils of the time in which we live. For a people without confidence in its judges will always be a very wretched people.
As believers, we ought to ask of Jesus, who said 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice' (Mt.5:6), that soon, and everywhere, lost trust in those who have the sacred duty of administrating justice may be regained.
The only way of attaining this urgent and necessary trust is that, as the Pope indicates, those who administer justice may do so always with integrity and good conscience. As regards integrity, may they distance themselves from any kind of arbitrary abuse of the power that the administrator of justice holds in his hands, and as regards good conscience, may they ensure the faithful following of the order desired by God, who reveals himself in it and by it tells us what is good and just and always calls us 'to do good and avoid evil' (GS16).
Fr. Jose Maria Diaz Moreno, sj
Canonist, Pontifical Universities of Comillas-Madrid and Salamanca
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