杏MAP导航

By Robin Gomes

杏MAP导航 Francis on Monday appealed for the defence and protection of the human person and of our common home. 鈥淚ndeed, the human person must always be defended and protected in his or her integrity and dignity, whatever his or her origin or social status,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 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 杏MAP导航 and the Holy See. 鈥淔ollowing in the footsteps of your predecessors,鈥� he told them, 鈥測ou participate in the missionary action of the Church which fights for the integral human development of every person.鈥�

Culture of waste

In the unbridled race for possession, career, honour or power, the 杏MAP导航 said that weak and the least are sometimes ignored and rejected. 

鈥淚n the frenzy of running, of achieving everything right now,鈥� he lamented, 鈥渁nyone left behind is viewed as a nuisance.鈥�  Hence the many elderly, the unborn, the disabled and poor people are considered a waste and useless. 

This is the reason behind the Church鈥檚 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 杏MAP导航 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, 杏MAP导航 Francis pointed to the challenges that affect the human family and its common home.  鈥淭he cry of anguish of people who suffer, especially from wars, displacement of people, poverty and degradation of the ecosystem, the 杏MAP导航 said is at the heart of their concerns.  鈥淚t is urgent,鈥� he said, 鈥渢o put an end to the exploitation of the poorest!鈥� 鈥淚t is urgent that the atrocities in countries prey to wars and conflicts that drive so many people into exile cease!鈥�

Ecological conversion

杏MAP导航 Francis particularly insisted 鈥渙n caring for our common home鈥�, launching once again the call for 鈥渆cological conversion鈥�.  The Christian witness of Pro Petri Sedem, through generosity and attention to others, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渋nvites us all today to fight against the generalized climate of individualism, selfishness and indifference, which threaten both peace among people and the environment.鈥�

杏MAP导航 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.