One of the problems of modernism and post-modernism as a philosophical and ideological movement is that they reject man as an Imago Dei with inherent dignity, through whom God works, but enthrone the same man as the ‘measure of all things’, particularly the vestiges of the existentialists’ (especially Nietzche) idea of the ‘superman’ (Pythagoras 1923).

Put simply: Many organizations, companies, movements, institutions, governments, etc., have the ‘service of humanity’ as one of their core values, but tyrannize the same humans for whom the service is meant. Getting the job done, reaching and counting targets, and business expansion, have become the objects in themselves rather than the means through which humanity is served.

Of course, this white-washed disfigured competition has slowly deformed the world. Countering this deformation starts with approaching everyone and everything with a “formed heart”. 

A “formed heart” in a deformed world depicts the injunction ‘to be in the world but not of the world’ (John 17:16). Caritas Nigeria accentuates its response to this injunction with actions, activities, and services that unite its Staff and Partners in a spirit of solidarity towards the development of virtues.

Formation of the Heart is a vital aspect of Catholic teaching, particularly in shaping the moral and ethical values of individuals. It promotes the cultivation of virtues such as compassion, empathy, and love.

The aim of Formation of the Heart is rooted in the innate dignity and worth of the human person enshrined in Catholic Social Teaching.

It implies that there is a specific form that is expected for the heart to function optimally, making the possible good beginning and ending in our human endeavour. Otherwise, it is a deformation.  

Deformation came into the world as a result of sin (Genesis 3:19). After God created the world and everything in it, “God saw all that He made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Consequently, it is the will of God that human beings be whole and complete; lacking nothing.  

Hence, deformation is not the design of God. It is the fall of man. According to St. Pope John Paul II, “Sin, therefore, contains a particular deep deformation of the created good” (Totus TuusTotus2us 1986:3). It is the deformation of creation.

Deformation, therefore, is a contradiction, a negation from the ideal into the twisted and contorted form. It imposes restrictions, deprivations, and inadequacies.

As a result of the limitations and imperfections of deformation, Richard III, in the play “Outside the Tower of London” laments that he is “curtailed of this fair proportion, cheated of feature dissembling nature, deformed, unfinished….” (1955:20). This ‘lack’ or ‘absence’ experienced in the incomplete human nature is the threshold of deformed hearts.  

When the hearts of individuals are not properly formed; the world is deformed. The deformation of the world connotes the shapeless, fragmented, and chaotic activities performed worldwide.

From a blood-soaked battlefield of history to the modern theatre of war characterized by asymmetric warfare and technological advancements lies a deformed world. In a deformed world, prejudices, fueled by a profound sense of cultural differences and ideological divides further exacerbated by miscommunication, leave families torn apart and communities shattered.

Nations and individuals betray the trust of their allies, undermining the foundations of cooperation, solidarity, and mutual respect. In a deformed world, the seeds of mistrust and hatred are sown to fester for generations.

In a deformed world, war and conflict inflict untold suffering and devastation upon nations. Leaders do nothing to end wars, yet, provide relief materials to cushion the effect on victims. In a deformed world ‘good night’ connotes an intense prayer for safety as nations and individuals do not see beyond their perspectives and biases.   

 

Madame De Rosavene (1897) succinctly asserts:  

A deformed, punny, dark world, flattened at the poles, with a sidling, awkward motion; a world with mountains of snow and vast stretches of burn sands, with fire in its entrails and oceans on its surface, peopled by frail and presumptuous humanity, with the aspirations of gods and the weakness of clay: a world to destroy all that which exists and a yearning for eternity, and compelled to reconstruct with its ruins; a world insane, absurd, inconceivable; in a world-our world (p.372-373). 

Amidst these tragedies of betrayal and misunderstanding that have fractured relationships between individuals and nations are ever-growing broken hearts.

From ancient conflicts fueled by territorial disputes to modern-day tension rooted in ideological differences, the scars of discord run deep, leaving a trail of broken hearts and shattered trust.

Consequently, nations invest lots of money to protect their territory. The need to obtain a visa before travel becomes imperative. The constant attacks on nature in the guise of technological advancement only deform. The pretty flowers and arbores no longer stand to sing with joy for the sunshine.  

In today’s Nigerian society, health, education, power, and infrastructure are the worst victims of corrupt leaders, launching Nigeria into deformity.

Nigeria became a deformed society when its leaders began to kill and destroy the people whom they were supposed to protect; when the rule of law became the whip for the poor innocent citizens; when politicians made countless empty promises; when hate speech became the religious language of bigots; when people, who have freely chosen to be ignorant, force others into their dark world; when young girls are kidnapped and forcefully given out in marriage; when young people who manage to go to school never get a job; when the locals were denied access to livelihood strengthening opportunities like government agricultural loans; when subsistence farmers are murdered on their farmlands by bandits.

Creating systems that do not connect the poor with means of livelihood leaves many Nigerians with open-wounded hearts.  

Reforming these deformed hearts requires a formation of the heart. This ‘creates a pure heart and renews a steadfast spirit’ (Psalm 51). Through this, individuals can develop virtues such as kindness, patience, and forgiveness, essential to living a life of Caritas (love).

Ultimately, the goal of the Formation of the Heart is to enable individuals to love God and their neighbours. By cultivating a heart grounded in Caritas (love), individuals can respond to the needs of others with compassion and generosity and live out their vocations as disciples of Christ.