Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The current economic crisis must be taken in all its seriousness: It has numerous causes and sends a powerful message about the need for a profound revision of the model of global economic development.” This was the exhortation made by the Holy Father Benedict XVI prior to the recitation of the Angelus with faithful gathered in Saint Peter's Square on Sunday, November 14.
Reflecting on the second reading from the liturgy of the day, in which St. Paul highlighted the importance of work in man's life, and the "Day of Thanksgiving," which is traditionally celebrated in Italy on this second Sunday of November as a day of giving thanks to God at the end of the harvest season, the Pope mentioned the importance of agricultural work in order to emerge from the current economic crisis, in which “the temptation for the more dynamic economies is that of chasing after advantageous alliances that, nevertheless, can have harmful effects for poorer states, prolonging situations of extreme mass poverty of men and women and using up the earth's natural resources.”
The Holy Father also stressed that “despite the crisis, in countries that have long been industrialized, lifestyles marked by unsustainable consumption -- which have damaging effects for the environment and the poor -- still continue.” He added: “It is necessary, then, to point in a truly unified way to a new balance between agriculture, industry and services, so that development be sustainable, and no one go without bread and work, and so that air and water and the other primary resources be preserved as universal goods. To this end, it is essential to cultivate and spread a clear ethic that is up to the task of addressing current challenges: Everyone should educate themselves in more wise and responsible consumption; promote personal responsibility, along with the social dimension of rural activities, which are based on perennial values, such as hospitality, solidarity, and the sharing of the toil of labor. More than a few young people have already chosen this path...”
After the Angelus, the Pope made this appeal for Haiti: “In this moment, I would like to renew my nearness to the dear people of Haiti, who, because of last January's terrible earthquake, are now suffering from a grave cholera epidemic. I encourage everyone who is responding to this new emergency and, while I assure a special remembrance in my prayer, I call on the international community to generously assist these people. Addressing pilgrims in several languages, the Pope greeted a group of Iraqis, praying for “the gift of peace for their country.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 15/11/2010)
