DIFFERENT FROM BEFORE by Valentina Calzavara Daniele Ferrazza
Introduction by Dacia Maraini
Conversations on Covid and beyond with Paolo Cognetti, Silvio Garattini, Marco Bentivogli, Pippo Baudo, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, Sara Simeoni, Silvia Costa, Alessandra Graziottin, Roberto Ferrucci. Helvetia Publishing House
In this book, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, has made the following remarks about Covid-19 and its consequences worldwide.
"Without question globalization, if on one hand it has made enormous progress, on the other hand, when left at the mercy of the market and of the profit alone, and not of democracy and solidarity as well, has increased and aggravated instability in creation and inequalities in humanity.
"The rediscovery of our mortality has triggered a survival instinct of which the political classes of the West have become uncritical interpreters: we have moved from underestimating the epidemic, for fear of the economic consequences, to the general lockdown to “save” one’s fellow citizens. The measures have also been partially adopted in those areas of the world that have not in the least changed their life systems in the presence of the causes of death that every year wipe out millions of human beings: malaria, tuberculosis, Ebola, HIV, hunger, famine, conflicts. But in those parts of the world we haven’t seen any images of cities become deserts and populations locked in their houses. Three quarters of mankind continue to be resigned or aware of having much lower life expectancy. This is the opportune time to bring death back to the horizon of human existence: the question of death has in fact been buried, not erased. For those who do not believe this is an opportunity not to deny that mortal horizon. For those who believe this is an opportunity to listen to the voice coming from above. It is a chance to awaken our conscience numb by a self-centered, narcissistic well-being. We are all hearing that ancient warning louder: you are not immortal! "
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