AMERICA/NICARAGUA - “Conversion of heart and caring for little ones with love” is the Lenten message from the Bishops Nicaragua. Sunday 14 March collection for abandoned children

Monday, 1 March 2004

Managua (Fides Service) - “We are deeply concerned to see children faint with hunger and severely undernourished; children wandering in the streets, victims of drugs and abuse by evil adults”, this is part of a Lenten Message issued by the Bishops of Nicaragua on Ash Wednesday. In keeping with the Lenten Message issued by Pope John Paul II the Bishops call attention to the tragic situation of many children, particularly in Nicaragua, where many are victims of sexual abuse, cruelty, abandoned without home or schooling.
Aware that one of the weakest sectors of society are abandoned children, the Church in Nicaragua has decided that this year the special Charity collection taken on the Third Sunday of Lent, this year March 14, will go the help these children.
In the Message the Bishops say that unless there is conversion of heart people are insensible to the suffering and pain of others. They say that “social insensitivity is the cause of social injustices like war, thirst for riches and power, bad use of justice as a tool for political revenge, class hatred, social exclusion etc.”. They voice concern for announced new economic measures which will affect above all people who are already people and the application of new liberal policies which concentrate capital in the hands of a few who form an opulent and exclusive elite, while a vast multitude of men, women and children live in unbearable poverty: “these are realities which cannot be denied. These situations must touch personal and public consciences so that resources are shared with all”. Another concern of the Bishops is emigration, particularly farm workers who continue to go to work in other countries despite the fact that they are often subjected to maltreatment and discrimination.
The Bishops recall that Christians have a responsibility to help those in need and they say hope that through the practice of almsgiving, fasting, penance, prayer in this Lenten season people will become more generous with gestures of solidarity and sharing of goods as authentic Christians. (R.Z) (Agenzia Fides 1/3/2004; righe 28 - parole 372)


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