VATICAN - The Pope addresses participants at the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace plenary: “In our day characterised by globalisation of the social question, the Church urges everyone to recognise and affirm the centrality of the human person in every ambit and manifestation of sociality”

Vatican City (Fides ) - Addressing participants at the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace received in audience this morning in the Vatican, Pope John Paul II said: “Social teaching is an ‘essential part of the Christian message’ (Centesimus annus, 5) and it must be even better known, integrally diffused and witnessed with constant and coherent pastoral action. In particular in our day characterised by globalisation of the social question, the Church urges everyone to recognise and affirm the centrality of the human person in every ambit and manifestation of sociality.” The Plenary was held in the framework of the 1st World Congress of Ecclesial Bodies operating for Justice and Peace, promoted by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
“The Church’s social doctrine asks you lay Christians above all to live in society as "witnesses of Christ the Saviour " (Centesimus annus, 5) and it opens you to the horizons of charity - the Pope said in his address. This is in fact the hour of charity, including social and political charity which can, with the grace of the Gospel, animate human realities of work, the economy, politics and map out the paths to peace, justice and friendship among peoples. This is the hour for a new season of social holiness, for saints who make visible to the world and in the world the perennial and inexhaustible fecundity of the Gospel”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 29/10/2004 - Righe 15; Parole 219)