2007-05-19 15:25:26

Pope says true economic growth should be humane


(May 19, 2007) Both, in the emerging economies of the world competing for the global market and in struggling economies, development must be seen more in human terms than in purely economic terms. Pope Benedict XVI made the statement on Saturday to some 350 participants in an international meeting promoted by the Vatican-based “Centesimus Annus - Pro Pontifice” foundation. The organization, instituted in 1993 in part to diffuse Catholic social teaching, is named after Pope John Paul’s 1991 social encyclical, “Centesimus Annus,” or ‘Hundred Years.’ The meeting studied the economic, social, religious and cultural implications of the growing role of emerging economies in the global market. Pope Benedict noted that the meeting particularly focussed on Asian nations marked by strong economic growth, which however, he said, does not always indicate true social development. Meanwhile in African countries, unfortunately, economic growth and social development face many obstacles and challenges. It is not only a question of raising all peoples to the level currently enjoyed by the richest countries, the Pope said; but rather of building up a more decent life through united labour, of concretely enhancing every individual's dignity and creativity, as well as his capacity to respond to his personal vocation, and thus to God's call. In this, the Pope said, the chief inspiring principles must be the true needs of the human person, respect for the dignity of every person and sincere search for the common good. The often paradoxical and dramatic inequality in the today’s globalized society, the high level of pollution and irresponsible consumption of the environment and natural resources indicate that only a process of globalization based on solidarity can ensure a future of authentic welfare and stable peace for humanity, the Pope added.







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