The new year will provide «important opportunities for us to show our compassion and solidarity with the poor and vulnerable,» said Bishop John Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee in a statement.
«This will require a ‘moral and economic mobilization’ on the part of richer countries such as the United States to lighten the burdens on poor countries exacerbated by ongoing debt payments, unfair trading practices and inadequate development assistance,» the prelate said.
The title of the Pope’s World Day of Peace message, «Do Not Be Overcome by Evil, but Overcome Evil with Good,» is drawn from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans (12:21).
«In this era of globalization, we are more aware of the interconnected nature of our world,» said Bishop Ricard. «Problems that were once far from our shores have become our own. We are compelled to look beyond our borders to places of poverty and despair that cry out for a response.»
