Look into causes of poverty, Pope urges Caritas
November 25, 2011
The duties of Christian charity cannot be delegated, Pope Benedict XVI said on November in an address to leaders of the Italian Caritas agency, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
"A work of charity speaks of God, it announces a hope and induces us to ask questions,” the Pope said. He encouraged the charitable workers not only to address the immediate needs of the poor, but also to examine the reasons for their plight.
The Pope called attention to “the weakening of families, and the uncertainty faced by the young,” as two root causes of poverty. He also mentioned natural disasters and violent conflicts, which in turn move the “vast world of migration.” Christians are obliged to address these problems as well, calling for a societal response, the Pontiff said. He reminded the Caritas workers of the Vatican II insistence that “the demands of justice [must] be satisfied lest the giving of what is due in justice be represented as the offering of a charitable gift.”
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Further information:
- Pope to Italian Caritas: Be a Sign of Christ's Charity (VIS)
- The courage of fraternity (L'Osservatore Romano)
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