General Intention for the Month of November 2009

(October 31, 2009) Here we have the general Intention of Holy Father for the month of November : Care of Creation: That all people of good will, especially those who make political and economic policies, may commit themselves to care for all creation. This month Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that we are obligated to care for our “common home,” this earth we share with all peoples of the world. To pollute, to exploit our natural resources, and to consume more than the earth can sustain—these are grave sins against the seventh commandment, “You shall not steal.” According to the teachings of the Catholic Church says the seventh commandment forbids unjustly taking or keeping the goods of one's neighbour and wronging him in any way with respect to his goods. It commands justice and charity in the care of earthly goods and the fruits of men's labour. Speaking of the marvels of God’s creation at the World Youth Day in Sydney, Austrailia, 2008, Pope Benedict said, “Perhaps reluctantly we come to acknowledge that there are also scars which mark the surface of our earth: erosion, deforestation, the squandering of the world’s mineral and ocean resources in order to fuel an insatiable consumption. The Pope has said that every person of good will has a duty to build a peaceful world, thus avoiding “confrontation between different cultures and ethnic groups” by respecting the dignity of every person foremost as we develop our economic, social, and cultural communities. We must “educate in truth and foster reconciliation wherever there has been injury.” “Sincere and truthful dialogue” will lead us step by step into the peace we seek. Pope Benedict also affirms his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, in urging prayer as a means to peace. Besides our personal, private prayers, we are to pray even with those of other religions, joining together with them in asking our universal and eternal Father for peace for the whole world.