Pope in Thailand: the commitment
to live in justice, solidarity and harmony
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| Pope Francis meets with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayuth Chan-ocha, ahead of his address to authorities, civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps (Vatican Media) |
Pope Francis delivers his first official discourse in
Thailand to members of government, civil and religious leaders, and the
diplomatic corps. Among other things, he reminds them that being at the service
of the common good is one of the noblest tasks anyone can undertake.
By Vatican News
Pope Francis arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday on the first
leg of his seven-day Apostolic Journey to Asia. But the official welcome ceremony
took place on Thursday morning at Government House, where he met with the Thai
Prime Minister, civil and religious leaders, and members of the diplomatic
corps.
In his discourse, the Pope described Thailand as “the
guardian of age-old spiritual and cultural traditions”, a multi-ethic and
diverse nation that has “long known the importance of building harmony and
peaceful coexistence between its numerous ethnic groups”.
Globalization
Globalization is often viewed in narrowly economic terms,
said Pope Francis, and this tends “to erase the distinguishing features that
shape the beauty and soul of our peoples.” The experience of a unity that
respects and makes room for diversity, he continued, “serves as an inspiration
and incentive for all those concerned about the kind of world we wish to leave
to our children.”
Interreligious dialogue
The Pope said he was looking forward to his meeting with the
Supreme Buddhist Patriarch “as a sign of the importance and urgency of
promoting friendship and interreligious dialogue”. He confirmed the commitment
of Thailand’s “small but vibrant Catholic community” to confront “all that
would lead us to be insensitive to the cry of our many brothers and sisters who
yearn to be freed from the yoke of poverty, violence and injustice.”
Freedom
The name Thailand means, literally, “Land of the Free”. Pope
Francis referenced this fact, saying we know freedom is possible “only if we
are capable of feeling co-responsible for one another and of eliminating every
form of inequality”. Hence the need “to ensure that individuals and communities
can have access to education, dignified labour and health care”, in order to
attain the “minimal levels of sustainability that can enable an integral human
development”, he said.
Migration
Pope Francis then turned his attention to the issue of
migration, calling it “one of the defining signs of our time”, and “one of the
principal moral issues facing our generation.” Acknowledging Thailand for
the welcome it has given migrants and refugees, the Pope said he hopes “the
international community will act with responsibility and foresight” to resolve
the issues that have led to this tragic exodus, “and will promote safe, orderly
and regulated migration.”
Exploitation
The Pope went on to speak on behalf of all those women and
children “who are wounded, violated and exposed to every form of exploitation,
enslavement, violence and abuse.” Again, he expressed his gratitude for the
Thai government’s efforts “to extirpate this scourge”, and “for those working
to uproot this evil”. Recalling that this year marks the thirtieth anniversary
of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Adolescent, Pope Francis said,
“The future of our peoples is linked in large measure to the way we will ensure
a dignified future to our children.”
Hospitality
The Pope concluded his address to Thai authorities and
members of the diplomatic corps, stressing how our societies need what he
called “artisans of hospitality”: men and women dedicated to “the integral
development of all peoples within a human family committed to dwelling in
justice, solidarity and fraternal harmony.” Enabling the service of the common
good to reach every corner of this nation, said Pope Francis, “is one of the
noblest tasks any person can undertake.”
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