Focusing on the delicate balance between our desire to help others and the need to respect their personal freedom, Archbishop Makarios of Australia delivered a video message via Instagram.
At the outset, he acknowledges that “for us Christians, it is very difficult not to help our fellow human being when they are suffering.” “It takes endurance not to intervene,” he adds, while drawing attention to the fact that “many times we intervene in another person’s life thinking that we are helping, thinking that we are doing good, but in the end we cause harm.”
“We must learn to give space to each person,” he continues, “to act according to their own judgment. We must respect the freedom of every individual and allow them to function in their own way.”
Concluding his message, the Archbishop emphasises that “a person does not learn when we offer ready-made solutions, but when we inspire them to struggle and to try. Above all, when we convince them that they are capable of succeeding.”
The full video message follows:
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