Pope’s general prayer intention for April

March 31, 2014 - And now before the news, here’s a short comment on the Pope’s general prayer intention for the month of April - that governments may foster the protection of creation and the just distribution of natural resources. Last June Pope Francis asked: “Are we truly cultivating and caring for creation? Or are we exploiting and neglecting it?” The Second Vatican Council reminds us that “God has destined the earth and everything it contains for all peoples and nations”. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation firmly believed that “the earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.” Sad to say, it is all too evident that large numbers of people in different countries and areas of our planet are experiencing increased hardship because of the negligence or refusal of many others to exercise responsible stewardship over the environment, and governments have a special responsibility in this regard. Pope Francis denounces what he calls, “the culture of waste” which makes us insensitive to wasting and throwing out excess foodstuffs and goods, which is especially condemnable when, in every part of the world, unfortunately, many people and families suffer hunger, malnutrition and the basic necessities of life. This culture of waste also leads to scant or no regard for human life – especially the poor, the disabled, the elderly and the unborn whose worth is measured only in terms of productivity and profit. This is why, Pope Francis is inviting us in April to join him in praying that governments may foster the protection of creation and the just distribution of natural resources.