The right to life implies right to food, Pope says

CWN - October 16, 2009

Access to food is "a concrete expression of the right to life," Pope Benedict XVI says in his annual message for World Food Day. The Pope goes on to say that this right, "though solemnly proclaimed, all too often fails to be fully implemented."

The Pope's message, addressed to Jacques Diouf, the director general of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, acknowledges that the current worldwide economic crisis has a particularly damaging effect on agricultural production, especially in impoverished societies. He argues that providing adequate food for all of the world's people "calls for a modification in lifestyles and ways of thinking."

The Pope's indicates that the effort to increase agricultural production and distribution should "safeguard the values specific to the rural world and the fundamental rights of people who work the land." Moreover, he says that technical solutions should not be imposed on needy people, but should respect their rights and needs.

Additional sources for this story
Some links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus:

Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach five million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you!

Easter Campaign:
Progress toward our Spring 2013 goal ($33,066 to go):
$80,000.00 $46,933.77
41% 59%
Sound Off! CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

Show 2 Comments? (Hidden)Hide Comments
  • Posted by: peggyann - Oct. 17, 2009 12:43 PM ET USA

    I like this "guy," too. I'm sure he realizes that the powers that be are more concerned with reducing populations than they are with feeding the world's people. It's very, very sad, but without a Culture of Life, more and more will go hungry. Those in charge are becoming more and more self-serving and we need to storm heaven with our prayers if this is ever going to turn around. Lord have mercy.

  • Posted by: michaelrafferty5029 - Oct. 16, 2009 10:06 PM ET USA

    I'm starting to like this guy.

Catholic World News Email Newsletter
Donate to Support this Site: Your contribution will be put to good work.
Tour the CatholicCulture.org Site
Shop Amazon to Raise Money for Catholic Culture

Recent Catholic Commentary

Learning from the sick, and from the death of a child May 17
The case for change in Irish abortion law: based on a framework of falsehood May 17
The Smell of the Sheep May 16
Too many missing funds: Catholic institutions need tighter financial controls May 16
What capitalists should learn from the Pope's critique May 16

Top Catholic News

Most Important Stories of the Last 30 Days
Pope strongly supports call for reform in religious life CWN - May 8