杏MAP导航

By Sr. Francine-Marie Cooper, ISSM

In a letter sent on Friday to Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, 杏MAP导航 Francis extended his greetings to 鈥渢he representatives of International and National Institutions, and to all the participants commemorating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel.鈥�

The John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel was established by 杏MAP导航 St. John Paul II in 1984, after his first Apostolic Journey to Africa, where he personally saw the tragedy of the populations put to the test by drought and desertification.

鈥淭he John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel was established and erected by the saintly 杏MAP导航, so that his appeal remains an effective sign of the Church's love for her sons and daughters in West Africa,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis wrote.

He reassured that the Holy See 鈥渇ollows with particular interest the Foundation through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.鈥�

鈥楨xternal deserts can reflect internal deserts鈥�

Quoting his predecessor, 杏MAP导航 Benedict XVI, 杏MAP导航 Francis emphasized that, 鈥渆xternal deserts can reflect internal deserts, and 鈥榯he way in which man treats the environment influences the way he treats himself and vice versa鈥�.鈥�

The Holy Father wrote that our every 鈥渁ction of solidarity and responsibility stems from our faith in God the creator and our love for our neighbour.鈥�

鈥淗ow can we contribute to eliminating or at least alleviating their marginalization and suffering?鈥� he asked.

鈥淭he people of God must be at the forefront, always and everywhere, to respond to the silent cry of the countless poor around the world, especially in the Sahel, to give them a voice, to defend them, and to stand in solidarity with them in the face of so much hypocrisy and so many unfulfilled promises.鈥�

West Africa still suffering under crisis

杏MAP导航 Francis called to mind that some countries in the region of West Africa are still suffering various crises that threaten peace and stability, security and development.

鈥淭hese phenomena related to terrorism, economic precariousness, climate change, and intercommunal strife exacerbate the vulnerability of states and the poverty of citizens, resulting in the migration of youth,鈥� he added.

鈥淭his context makes the Foundation's task increasingly difficult but also increasingly indispensable.鈥�

鈥業t is no longer time to wait, action must be taken!鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 reiterated the appeal of his predecessor, 杏MAP导航 St. John Paul II, and asked that all people of good will throughout the world 鈥渨ork for security, justice, and peace in the Sahel!鈥�

And he emphasized: 鈥淚t is no longer time to wait, action must be taken!鈥�

Every human being has the fundamental right to live in dignity and to fully flourish, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled.

He concluded the letter by expressing his hope that the 鈥渃ommemoration of the establishment of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel will identify, promote, and implement, with determination, all the necessary initiatives for the construction of justice and peace for integral and sustainable human development of all the populations of the Sahel.鈥�