At a time when internationalism was threatened, Catherine and William Booth's eldest son, Bramwell Booth remarked that, "The Salvation Army opposes parochial mind sets, racial differences, antagonism between peoples and countries by asserting: "Every land is my land, for each land is My Father's Land." With General Bramwell Booth's missions program at its peak, a commitment of one hundred missionaries from the four Nordic countries was targeted. An appeal in Sweden led to seventy Swedish missionaries who answered God's call and departed their homeland with no assurance of a return. The appeal exceeded two hundred missionaries in the Army's first half century in Sweden. Among that number was a brave band of ten appointed to battle inRussia and beyond. Missionaries' departure became common-place each year, most often in the autumn. One or two missionary groups marched out year after year. To begin with it was to India, and then in the mid-1890s, it was Argentina who received the next pioneer group….104 Four Salvation Army officers, God’s soldiers who knew no Spanish, fighting against evil influences in our world, established our missionary movement in Buenos Aires. Two years following the Founder’s Promotion to Glory, the Army missionary zeal he’d heralded was recognised as a juridical person in Argentina by Government Decree. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, four year old ‘chico’ (lad) Jorge, received his ‘first lesson in ecumenism, from his paternal grandmother Rosa, when they encountered members of the Salvation Army! Jorge grew up in Barrio de Flores, a working middle-class barrio (district) in the centre of Buenos Aires, Argentina. His father was a railway worker, his mother a homemaker. He studied in public schools and in high school obtained a technical certification as a chemist. Amalia Damonte, who grew up in the Jorge's neighborhood, reportedly was briefly the object of his affections. Damonte, who still lives in the same neighborhood, said in interviews that when they were 12, Jorge said that, if he could not marry her, he would become a priest, a move which eventually led him to devote his life to God. However, Amalia Damonte (76), said they had a friendship when both were 12-years-old; "these were childish things, nothing more" In 1958, Jorge, age 22, entered the novitiate (is the period of training and preparation that a Christian prospective member of a religious order undergoes prior to taking vows to a religious life) of the Society of Jesus, and two years later he took his first vows as a Jesuit.
In 1963, on returning to Buenos Aires, he attended the Facultades de Filosofía y Teología de San Miguel (Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel), a seminary in San Miguel. And, between 1964 and 1965, he taught literature and psychology at a Jesuit secondary school in Santa Fe, Argentina, and in 1966, he taught at the prestigious Colegio del Salvador secondary school in Buenos Aires. The follow year he returned to his theological studies and was ordained a priest on Dec. 13, 1969. After his perpetual profession as a Jesuit in 1973, he became master of novices at San Miguel. Later that same year, he was elected superior of the Jesuit province of Argentina and Uruguay. From 1979 to 1985, served as rector and theology teacher at Colegio Maximo, before heading to Germany to finalize his doctoral thesis at Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology in Frankfurt, Germany. In May 1992, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires. He was one of three auxiliaries and he kept a low profile, spending most of his time caring for the Catholic university, counseling priests and preaching and hearing confessions. He was installed as the new archbishop of Buenos Aires Feb. 28, 1998.
As archbishop, he was known simply as "Father Jorge," and he adopted the attitude that the church belongs in the street. He built chapels and missions in poor areas and sent seminarians to serve them. He spoke out often against injustice, such as the treatment of migrant workers from neighboring countries and those lured into the sex trade, and against social issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
In 2001, he was elevated to cardinal, and in 2005 he began a six-year term as head of the Argentine bishops' conference.(-- Catholic News Service)
Throughout his public life, Father Jorgehas been noted for his humility, concern for the poor and commitment to interfaith dialogue. That dialogue is reflected in his recent meeting with General Pebble wherein he recalls that encounter with Salvationists a half century earlier: ‘Their example of humble service to the least of our brothers and sisters spoke louder than any words. The holiness that shows itself in concrete actions of goodness, solidarity, and healing speaks to the heart and testifies to the authenticity of our discipleship. On this basis, Catholics and Salvationists can increasingly assist one another and cooperate in a spirit of mutual respect and in a life of holiness as well.’ He became the archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul I
Nationality: Argentine (with Vatican citizenship)
Cardinal Jorge, adopted seven years ago today, on March 13, 2013. head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. Pope Francis is the first Jesuit pope since the Society of Jesus was founded nearly 500 years ago. Pope Francis is also the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first pope from outside Europe since the Syrian Gregory III, who reigned in the 8th century. GENERAL Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle visited the Vatican today for conversation with His Holiness Pope Francis. During the visit, the accompanying delegation – Commissioner Betty Matear, Secretary for International Ecumenical Relations, Lieut-Colonel Massimo Tursi, Officer Commanding Italy and Greece Command and Major David Williamson, Private Secretary to the General – met with Cardinal Koch, Bishop Farrell and Father Avelino Gonzales of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity. In a warm and open discussion the prospect of continued conversations was discussed and General Peddle underlined the areas where The Salvation Army and the Roman Catholic Church share common challenges in the mission to the poor and marginalised. The discussion focused on effective mission and evangelism and serving suffering humanity.
Following a profitable time of sharing, the delegation then had an opportunity to meet with Pope Francis in the Papal Library. The General had a time of private conversation before the Salvation Army representatives were presented to Pope Francis. General Peddle presented his message and Pope Francis responded. The General then prayed with the Pope.
During the visit, The Salvation Army delegation was given privileged access into the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica.
It is intended that beyond this historic visit there would be a series of meetings, which will strengthen relationships and cooperation in areas of mutual concern and service.
From a report by Commissioner Elizabeth Matear
THE POPE’S ADDRESS
General Peddle,
I am happy to have this opportunity to renew to you and to all the members and volunteers of the Salvation Army my grateful appreciation for the witness you give to the primacy of discipleship and service to the poor. This makes you an evident and credible sign of evangelical love, in obedience to the Lord’s commandment: ‘Love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples’ (John 13:34).
As I have mentioned on several occasions – and again just now, when we spoke – it was by encountering members of the Salvation Army that I received, many years ago, from my grandmother, my first lesson in ecumenism – I was four years old!. Their example of humble service to the least of our brothers and sisters spoke louder than any words. I am reminded, General, of the insight expressed by your predecessor when we met five years ago: “Holiness transcends denominational boundaries.’ The holiness that shows itself in concrete actions of goodness, solidarity, and healing speaks to the heart and testifies to the authenticity of our discipleship. On this basis, Catholics and Salvationists can increasingly assist one another and cooperate in a spirit of mutual respect and in a life of holiness as well.
Such a common witness is like the leaven that in Jesus’s parable, a woman took and mixed with flour until the whole mass of dough began to rise (cf Luke 13:21). The gratuitous love that inspires acts of service to those in need is not only a leaven; it also has the fragrance of freshly baked bread. It attracts and convinces. In a world where selfishness and divisions abound, the noble fragrance of genuine self-giving love can offer a much-needed antidote and open minds and hearts to the transcendent meaning of our existence.
As the Bishop of Rome, of this Diocese, I would like to thank The Salvation Army for all that you do in this city for the homeless and the marginalised, of whom there are so many in Rome. I am also aware of your significant involvement in the fight against human trafficking and other modern forms of slavery. May God bless your efforts.
Thank you once more for your visit. Let us remember one another in our prayers, and continue to work to spread God’s love through acts of service and solidarity.
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
