Pope tells Ambassadors: Social Injustice Attacks Peace
(29 May 09 - RV) Today in the Vatican, the Holy Father received the Letters of Credence
of eight new ambassadors to the Holy See: Danzannorov Boldbaatar of Mongolia; Chitra
Narayanan of India; Charles Borromee Todjinou of Benin, Robert Carey Moore-Jones of
New Zealand; George Johannes of South Africa; Beyon Luc Adolphe Tiao of Burkina Faso;
Neville Melvin Gertze of Namibia, and Rolf Trolle Andersen of Norway. The Holy Father
first addressed the diplomats as a group, then gave each of them a speech in written
form concerning issues specific to his or her own country. The Pope began his remarks
by assuring the ambassadors that the Catholic communities in their respective nations
"wish to collaborate fraternally in national development by making the best contribution
they can, a contribution rooted in the Gospel". "A commitment to serving peace
and the consolidation of fraternal relations among nations constitutes the core of
your diplomatic mission", said the Pope. "Today, in the midst of a worldwide social
and economic crisis, people must regain an awareness of the need to struggle ... in
order to establish true peace, with the aim of constructing a more just and prosperous
world. Injustices, often so manifest, among or within nations, like all processes
that contribute to dividing or marginalising peoples, represent attacks against peace
and create a grave risk of conflict". Peace, the Holy Father went on, "cannot be
built but by intervening firmly to eliminate the inequality engendered by unjust systems,
and so allowing everyone a standard of living that enables them to live a dignified
and prosperous existence. Such inequalities have become even more evident because
of the current financial and economic crisis which has also had various repercussions
on low-income countries". Among these, the Pope mentioned "the tailing off of foreign
investment, the fall in demand for raw materials and the tendency for international
aid to diminish", as well as "the drop in remittances of emigrants, likewise victims
of the recession which also affects their host countries". "The crisis could become
a catastrophe for the inhabitants of weaker countries", warned Benedict XVI, highlighting
how economic woes also have another effect, because "the desperation they bring forces
some people to anguished efforts to seek solutions that enable them to survive from
day to day. Unfortunately, such efforts are often accompanied by individual or collective
acts of violence that can further destabilise already-weakened societies", he said. The
Holy Father then explained how some States, in the face of the crisis, "rather than
diminishing aid to the most defenceless nations, have suggested increasing it. Other
developed countries should follow this example so that the neediest countries are
able to sustain their economies and consolidate social measures designed to protect
the most needy sectors of the population". He also launched an appeal for "greater
fraternity and solidarity, and real global generosity", and for "developed countries
to rediscover a sense of proportion and sobriety in their economies and lifestyles". "You
must not ignore", the Pope told the ambassadors, "new forms of violence that have
arisen over recent years and that, alas, seek support from the Name of God to justify
dangerous acts. ... This had sometimes led to the view that religions are a threat
to societies, and they have been attacked and discredited by claiming that they are
not agents for peace. Religious leaders have the duty to accompany and enlighten believers
so as to ensure they become increasingly saintly and interpret divine words in the
light of truth". "It is necessary favour the resurgence of world in which religions
and societies can open to one another, thanks to the openness that religions practice
within and among themselves. This will be an authentic testimony to life. This will
create a space for positive and necessary dialogue. By making her contribution to
the world, the Catholic Church wishes to bear witness to her positive vision of man's
future", the Holy Father concluded. In the written address delivered to the ambassador
from India, the Holy Father speaks of his deep concern for Christians who have suffered
from outbreaks of violence in some areas within your borders" and appeals "to all
to show respect for human dignity by rejecting hatred and renouncing violence in all
its forms". To the South African representative, Benedict XVI expresses the hope
"that in the current struggle against poverty and corruption, courage and wisdom will
again prevail", the courage and wisdom shown by the people of South Africa in facing
past injustices. Referring then to HIV/AIDS, he gives assurances that "the Church
takes seriously her part in the campaign against the spread of [the disease] by emphasising
fidelity within marriage and abstinence outside of it. At the same time she already
offers much assistance on a practical level to people suffering from this affliction
on your continent and throughout the world".