Pope appeals for defence of human
person, ecological conversion
Pope Francis meets representatives of Pro Petri Sede Association (Vatican Media) |
Pope Francis on Monday met representatives of the Pro Petri
Sedem Association, that contributes to the initiatives of the Pope and the Holy
See.
By Robin Gomes
Pope Francis on Monday appealed for the defence and
protection of the human person and of our common home. “Indeed, the human
person must always be defended and protected in his or her integrity and
dignity, whatever his or her origin or social status,” the Pope told some 51
members of the Pro Petri Sedem Association, whom he received in the
Vatican.
The Association that is active in Belgium, the Netherlands
and Luxembourg, collects funds for the initiatives of the Pope and the Holy
See. “Following in the footsteps of your predecessors,” he told them, “you
participate in the missionary action of the Church which fights for the
integral human development of every person.”
Culture of waste
In the unbridled race for possession, career, honour or
power, the Pope said that weak and the least are sometimes ignored and
rejected.
“In the frenzy of running, of achieving everything right
now,” he lamented, “anyone left behind is viewed as a nuisance.” Hence
the many elderly, the unborn, the disabled and poor people are considered a
waste and useless.
This is the reason behind the Church’s preferential option
for the poor and it relies on men and women of good will, imbued with the
Gospel, to bring peace and joy of the Risen One to every person in need.
This way, the Pope said, the Pro Petri Sedem, through its charitable
contribution to the life of the Church, becomes the salt and light which give
many people a taste for life.
Cry of the poor
Thanking the group for their support for the Successor of
Saint Peter, Pope Francis pointed to the challenges that affect the human
family and its common home. “The cry of anguish of peoples who suffer,
especially from wars, displacement of people, poverty and degradation of the
ecosystem, the Pope said is at the heart of their concerns. “It is
urgent,” he said, “to put an end to the exploitation of the poorest!” “It is
urgent that the atrocities in countries prey to wars and conflicts that drive so
many people into exile cease!”
Ecological conversion
Pope Francis particularly insisted “on caring for our common
home”, launching once again the call for “ecological conversion”. The
Christian witness of Pro Petri Sedem, through generosity and attention to others,
the Pope said, “invites us all today to fight against the generalized climate
of individualism, selfishness and indifference, which threaten both peace among
people and the environment.”
Pope Francis concluded urging members of Prop Petri Sedem to
remain firm in their convictions and faith, and be a flame that brings hope to
the hearts of men and women today.
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