In a video-message delivered to the Fourth Festival of Social Doctrine of the Church, Pope Francis said people, not money, create development, and, given this, we should work to respond to people’s real needs.
Sponsored by Cattolica: Societa Cattolica di Assicurazione and co-organized by Comune di Verone Istruzione, this four-day event defines itself as an “integrated project of Christian social formation through the knowledge and understanding of the Social Doctrine of the Church” and promotes the idea of being “a leaven in society.” It features testimonies, presentations, exhibitions, and meetings on various subjects, including work, welfare, health, education, and the environment.
The Pope said the real problem is “not money as such but people” because money itself “does not create development,” but rather people.
Given this, he said people must not be “indifferent” and must creatively take initiatives to rethink economic models and the working world.
Urging the faithful not to be discouraged by the economic crisis, he cautioned them against the “temptation,” when confronted with difficulties, to focus on tending to our own wounds, rather than to help the poor and those without jobs, who have lost their dignity.
Not only does this indifference lead us to close in on and only be concerned with ourselves, he stressed it also makes us “blind, deaf and dumb.»
In order to respond properly to people’s needs, the Pope said forget about stereotypes and take initiatives to reform the system.
Suggesting how, he said, taking the initiative could mean finding creative ways to earn a living, rather than always asking the state and other entities for “assistance.”
The Pontiff said that people cannot be enslaved and imprisoned by money. He also highlighted the importance of changing how to deal with the current economic situation in order to help the unemployed.
Pope Francis concluded his message by appealing the faithful to invest more time in helping jobless youth, to restore their spirits, and give them confidence.
The festival’s mission is derived from the idea that so many places and people wish to create a place of confrontation between Catholics engaged in work, social, and public responsibility. Given this, the gathering is a forum which explores how the Church’s Social Doctrine is the common element of reference for a comparison, both for addressing issues and converging toward the common good.
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On the NET:
Festival Official Site (in Italian): http://dottrinasociale.it/il-festival/
