Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - "Secularism and different religious groups are spreading at all latitudes, giving rise to many problems. Education and the promotion of a culture of life is urgently important ... How can one not worry about the painful situations of migration, displacement or violence, in particular those caused by organized crime, drug trafficking, corruption and the arms trade? And what about the divisive inequalities and pockets of poverty caused by questionable economic, political measures and social issues?". These are the questions raised by the Holy Father Benedict XVI, who met in the Vatican Basilica, on December 9, the participants at the International Congress "Ecclesia in America" on the Church in the American continent (see Fides 07/12/2012).
"These are important issues that require careful study - the Pope said -. However, beyond the technical evaluation, the Catholic Church is convinced that the light of an appropriate solution can only come from the encounter with the living Jesus Christ, who gives rise to attitudes and behaviors based on love and truth. This is the decisive force in the transformation of the American continent."
In his speech, the Holy Father stressed the intuition of Blessed John Paul II to increase cooperation relations between the particular Churches of the entire American continent, "to arouse greater solidarity" among all nations. "The love of Christ compels us to devote ourselves unreservedly to proclaim his name in all regions of America," said Benedict XVI, who said: "A renewed missionary spirit and zealous generosity in your commitment will be an irreplaceable contribution to what the universal Church expects and needs from the Church in America." (SL) (Agenzia Fides 10/12/2012)
