Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The basic commitment of the Centesimus Annus - Pro Pontifice Foundation, namely the study of the most topical aspects of the Church's Social Teaching regarding the most urgent problems and challenges today, was the subject of an International Meeting organised by the Foundation whose participants were received in audience by Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday 19 May in the Vatican. Expressing gratitude to the Foundation for the contribution offered which enables the Pope to meet many urgent demands for help from all over the world, and for the Association's serious commitment, Pope Benedict XVI proposed some reflections, on the social theme which inspired the work of the Meeting. “you have… discussed from the economic and social point of view present changes in developing countries and the consequent repercussions of a cultural and religious nature. In particular, you focussed on Asian nations characterised by marked economic growth, which however does not always mean real social development and those of Africa where, unfortunately, economic growth and social development encounter many obstacles and challenges”.
“What these people need, like all peoples everywhere in the world, is without doubt harmonious social and economic progress with a truly human dimension ” the Pope said quoting Centesimus annus. “Attention to the real needs of the human person, respect for the dignity of every person, sincere search for the common good are the inspiring principles which must be kept in mind when planning the development of a nation. Sad to say however this is not always so.” Among the “dramatic unbalances" of today's globalised society, Benedict XVI mentioned constant increase in the rate of economic growth, problems connected with modern progress, not forgetting high pollution rates and irresponsible consumption of natural and environmental resources: “only a process of globalisation attentive to the need of solidarity can guarantee humanity a future of authentic wellbeing and stable peace for all ”.
In the last part of his address the Pope encouraged those present to continue efforts to tackle these problems in the light of the Church's social teaching, to promote a culture of solidarity and to foster economic development attentive to the real expectations of individuals and peoples. “While I encourage you in your endeavour I would underline that only an ordered interweaving of three indispensable profiles of development - economic, social and human - can give rise to a society of freedom and solidarity ”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 21/5/2007 - righe 31, parole 416)
