杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

杏MAP导航 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 杏MAP导航 described Thailand as 鈥渢he guardian of age-old spiritual and cultural traditions鈥�, a multi-ethic and diverse nation that has 鈥渓ong known the importance of building harmony and peaceful coexistence between its numerous ethnic groups鈥�.

Globalization

Globalization is often viewed in narrowly economic terms, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, and this tends 鈥渢o erase the distinguishing features that shape the beauty and soul of our peoples.鈥� The experience of a unity that respects and makes room for diversity, he continued, 鈥渟erves as an inspiration and incentive for all those concerned about the kind of world we wish to leave to our children.鈥�

Interreligious dialogue

The 杏MAP导航 said he was looking forward to his meeting with the Supreme Buddhist Patriarch 鈥渁s a sign of the importance and urgency of promoting friendship and interreligious dialogue鈥�. He confirmed the commitment of Thailand鈥檚 鈥渟mall but vibrant Catholic community鈥� to confront 鈥渁ll 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.鈥�

Freedom

The name Thailand means, literally, 鈥淟and of the Free鈥�. 杏MAP导航 Francis referenced this fact, saying we know freedom is possible 鈥渙nly if we are capable of feeling co-responsible for one another and of eliminating every form of inequality鈥�. Hence the need 鈥渢o ensure that individuals and communities can have access to education, dignified labour and health care鈥�, in order to attain the 鈥渕inimal levels of sustainability that can enable an integral human development鈥�, he said.

Migration

杏MAP导航 Francis then turned his attention to the issue of migration, calling it 鈥渙ne of the defining signs of our time鈥�, and 鈥渙ne of the principal moral issues facing our generation.鈥�  Acknowledging Thailand for the welcome it has given migrants and refugees, the 杏MAP导航 said he hopes 鈥渢he international community will act with responsibility and foresight鈥� to resolve the issues that have led to this tragic exodus, 鈥渁nd will promote safe, orderly and regulated migration.鈥�

Exploitation

The 杏MAP导航 went on to speak on behalf of all those women and children 鈥渨ho are wounded, violated and exposed to every form of exploitation, enslavement, violence and abuse.鈥� Again, he expressed his gratitude for the Thai government鈥檚 efforts 鈥渢o extirpate this scourge鈥�, and 鈥渇or those working to uproot this evil鈥�. Recalling that this year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Adolescent, 杏MAP导航 Francis said, 鈥淭he future of our peoples is linked in large measure to the way we will ensure a dignified future to our children.鈥� 

Hospitality    

The 杏MAP导航 concluded his address to Thai authorities and members of the diplomatic corps, stressing how our societies need what he called 鈥渁rtisans of hospitality鈥�: men and women dedicated to 鈥渢he integral development of all peoples within a human family committed to dwelling in justice, solidarity and fraternal harmony.鈥� Enabling the service of the common good to reach every corner of this nation, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渋s one of the noblest tasks any person can undertake.鈥�