VATICAN - THE POPE ADDRESSES PONTIFICAL COUNCIL "COR UNUM" PLENARY: “THE CHURCH TENDS NOT ONLY TO THE MATERIAL NEEDS OF THOSE IN DIFFICULTY… WITH SIMPLICITY AND PASTORAL PRUDENCE SHE DOES NOT HESITATE TO BEAR WITNESS TO CHRIST, WHO REVEALS THE FACE OF GOD THE FATHER, TENDER AND LOVING”

Vatican City (Fides Service) – “Love of God and neighbour is a direct manifestation of the Church’s fidelity to her Lord who ‘gave himself up for us’ (Eph 5, 2). The Church was born from the pieced heart of Jesus and consequently she feels committed to communicating to the world the love she received from Him. She communicates it also the men and women of our time, especially those in need of all kinds of necessities. This, dear members of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, is the task that the Pope entrusts to you that you may offer support to many brothers and sisters in difficulty and help them to experience Divine tenderness and the loving closeness of the Successor Peter.”
Pope John Paul II said this to participants at the 25th plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" PCCU whom he received in audience on 21 November. The Holy Father said that theme chosen for this year’s PCCU plenary "The dimension of religion in our works of charity" – “underlines that in seeking to bring relieve to those who are hungry, sick, lonely, suffering we must never overlook the intimate aspiration beating within every human person to meet and know God…This is why the Church tends not only to the material difficulties of those in; he charitable e activity is not restricted to building structures and philanthropic works, however praiseworthy they may be. She strives also to meet the most hidden existential questions, even though they are not clearly expressed. With simplicity and pastoral prudence she does not hesitate to bear witness to Christ, who reveals the face of God the Father tender and loving.”
Thanking the members of the PCCU for their work and assistance to the Holy See, the Pope said he hoped that their reflection in these days of the Plenary will emphasise the evangelical significance and value of the “deaconry of charity” exercised by the Church and he held up as a “shining example of this service of love for God and for neighbour” Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.
(S.L.) (Fides Service 21/11/2003 – lines 24; words 353)