Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Since my beloved predecessor John Paul II created the Populorum Progressio Foundation, entrusting the responsibility to the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, the latter has devoted itself to promoting the mission of the Church supporting specific initiatives to help the indigenous peoples, peasants and Afro-Americans of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean … The Foundation is the fruit of John Paul's great concern for the men and women who suffer most in our society.. The work begun 15 years ago must continue, following the principles that have distinguished its commitment in support of the dignity of all human beings, and of the fight against poverty." Pope Benedict XVI said this on Thursday June 14 when he received members of the administrative council of the "Populorum Progressio" Foundation, for the occasion of their annual assembly.
Benedict XVI then went on to consider some of the characteristics of the foundation. "In the first place," he said, "the development of peoples must maintain, as a pastoral principle, a comprehensive anthropological view of human beings, something the second article of the foundation's Statues calls 'integral promotion'," which "takes the social and material aspect of life
into account, as well as the announcement of faith which gives full meaning to man's life, Often, man's real poverty is his lack of hope, the absence of a Father to give meaning to his existence”.
The Church in Latin America faces enormous challenges the Pope said, recalling his recent visit to Brazil, “but at the same time it is the ‘Church of hope' , which realises the need to fight for the dignity of every person, and to promote authentic justice and eradicate suffering ."Latin America," he added, "is a part of the world rich in natural resources where differences in standards of living must give way to the spirit of sharing wealth, manifested in the conversion and successive attitude of Zacheus, the publican in the Gospel”. The Holy Father concluded by highlighting how, "in the face of secularisation, the proliferation of sects and the extreme poverty of so many brothers and sisters, there is a pressing need to form communities united in faith, like the Holy Family of Nazareth, in which the joyful witness of those who have met the Lord may be a light to illuminate the way of people seeking a more dignified life.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/6/2007 - righe 29, parole 413)
