Confederation of Italian Cooperatives and the Federation of Cooperative Banks

(December, 10.2011) The Pope Benedict XVI called for a balance between individual rights and the common good, in his address Saturday morning to members of the Confederation of Italian Cooperatives and the Federation of Cooperative Banks; he said that one of the criteria that should guide efforts to overcome the crisis must be "the balance between protecting the rights of the individual and the promotion of the common good." Economy and the market may not sidetrack solidarity; he urged, adding that they are called upon to promote the culture of life and of the family and to foster new families that can count on job opportunities, in keeping with human dignity and with respect for the created world entrusted to man. The Pope also discussed the efforts "to develop a local economy that responds better to the needs of the community.”. Before the audience the participants had assisted at Holy Mass celebrated by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in the Vatican Basilica. In his homily the Cardinal pointed out among other things that the cooperative system was now more than ever of great importance for a social economy at the service of the weakest elements of society, oriented towards giving employment to the younger generation, on whose behalf cultural and educational initiatives have to be launched.