Pope Laments 'Shameful Tragedy' of Hunger in Modern World

(04 May 09 - RV) The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was founded 15 years ago by Pope John Paul II with the aim of promoting the study and progress of the social, economic, political and juridical science in order to help the Church develop her social doctrine.


The Academy also reflects on the application of that doctrine in contemporary society.
This year, the Academy was tasked at exploring fundamental human rights, which the Academy’s President Harvard law professor Mary Ann Glendon, told Pope Benedict said was the central issue which underpins all of the Academy’s work.
 “Over the years, no matter what aspect of economics, law, sociology or political sciences claimed our attention, there has been one central theme, one golden thread that has stitched all of work together. Our central focus has always been on the dignity of the human person and the common good. This week, your Holiness, our Plenary Session has been entirely devoted to the way that theme has found expression in the concept of universal human rights.”

Pope Benedict met the participants of the Academy’s Plenary Assembly in the Consistory Hall, and told them their task was not just a concern of the Church

“The Church has always affirmed that fundamental rights, above and beyond the different ways in which they are formulated and the different degrees of importance they may have in various cultural contexts, are to be upheld and accorded universal recognition because they are inherent in the very nature of man, who is created in the image and likeness of God. If all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God, then they share a common nature that binds them together and calls for universal respect.”

He said that although the world is becoming more aware of human rights, problems remain. The modern world has a problem of putting its values into action.
 “For Christians who regularly ask God to “give us this day our daily bread”, it is a shameful tragedy that one-fifth of humanity still goes hungry. Assuring an adequate food supply, like the protection of vital resources such as water and energy, requires all international leaders to collaborate in showing a readiness to work in good faith, respecting the natural law and promoting solidarity and subsidiarity with the weakest regions and peoples of the planet as the most effective strategy for eliminating social inequalities between countries and societies and for increasing global security.”
The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences concludes its meeting on Tuesday.