Pope Benedict XVI welcomes the Ambassador of Ecuador

(October 22, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI in his discourse complimented the Ecuadorian authorities for providing religious freedom, free expression of thought and other civil liberties, as they are the true condition for genuine social justice. The Pope was addressing the new Ambassador of Ecuador to the Holy See Mr. Luis Dositeo Latorre Tapia, at a formal function during the presentation of the credentials. He reminded the Ambassador of his visit to the country in 1978 for the Third National Marian Congress of Ecuador where the Word of Christ was proclaimed with generosity and bloomed beautifully. He appreciated the natural beauty and the abundance of natural resources of Ecuador which is consistent with their hospitality, moral strength and spiritual integrity. The Pontiff appreciated their programmes to eradicate unemployment, violence, impunity, illiteracy and corruption. In pursuit of these laudable goals he said, the pastors of the Church too have proposed specific activities and solutions. Keeping in mind the plurality of legitimate options said the Pope, their role is rather to illuminate the Gospel and the Church's social doctrine minds and wills of the faithful, to build a more harmonious and orderly society. Stressing the importance of Education Pope Benedict said that the country has proposed to achieve a comprehensive reform of education system from primary to university levels. The Church in Ecuador has a successful history in the area of instruction for children and youth, particularly in remote areas of the country. While there is the need for freedom of education promoted in state educational institutions, the Pontiff called for the continuation of the teaching of religion in the school curriculum.