AMERICA/CANADA - 40th anniversary of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace: “an effective means for the Catholic Church in Canada to express its preferential love for the poor, the marginalized and the oppressed"

Friday, 8 June 2007

Ottawa (Agenzia Fides) - Archbishop André Gaumond of Sherbrooke who is also president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops', issued a Pastoral message to mark the 40th anniversary of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, with the title "Communicating Christ's love through the mission of development and peace."
Archbishop Gaumond recalls all the Organisation has done in these 40 years to assist families and communities in some of the poorest parts of the world, and how the Organisation was started in response to an appeal by Pope Paul VI who said that the enormous economic, social and educational differences among countries are frequently a threat to peace. This appeal led the Bishops of Canada to start Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace in 1967, with a twofold purpose: to provide development assistance in the Global South as well to educate and sensitize Canadian Catholics about peace and justice issues: "We are convinced that we who dare to call ourselves [Christ's] disciples must share his universal love and compassion, embracing generously the sacrifices that love entails".
" Through its many activities Development and Peace is an effective means for the Catholic Church in Canada to express its preferential love for the poor, the marginalized and the oppressed. Today, in communion with the universal Church and in fidelity to the Gospel, the Catholics of our country affirm with renewed determination their declaration of loving service in the work of Development and Peace. None of this work would have been possible without the solidarity and generosity of Catholics in Canada - their donations, time, prayers and commitment. - said Archbishop Gaumond - Such solidarity affirms the dignity of the human person who is suffering because of natural disasters and the depredations of war, famine and poverty." The Bishops of Canada express their esteem and gratitude to all people of good will who have faithfully supported Development and Peace since its creation in 1967.
Nevertheless, the president of the Canadian Bishops Conference recalls, the challenges to development and peace are still numerous because since 1967 " the poor are more numerous, and their conditions of life more intolerable.". And this situation "continues to call for renewed commitment to seek a more just social order through concrete initiatives"
Archbishop Gaumond said “ the role of Development and Peace cannot be strictly analogous to the work of secular organizations", because human promotion must go hand in hand with promoting the Gospel of life. He said through Development and Peace, “Catholics are challenged to give not just out of their surplus but out of their substance. This is the challenge of the Gospel".
Archbishop Gaumond concluded "The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace must continue to grow and to flourish. It is a significant means by which the Church in Canada touches the lives of our sisters and brothers in humanity". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 8/6/2007; righe 18, parole 251)


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