Unemployment Can Lead to Identity Crisis, Says Pope

Notes That Work Is Fundamental to Human Vocation

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VATICAN CITY, NOV. 11, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Since work brings man to experience his role as a participant in God’s creative plan, a lack of work — or precarious employment situations — can lead to identity crises, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope made this observation in a message to Ecuador’s 2nd National Conference on the Family, under way through Saturday.

The theme of the conference is “Family, Work and Celebration — The Ecuadorian Family on Mission: Work and Celebration at the Service of the Person and the Common Good.”

In reference to this, the Holy Father spoke of work, through which, “man experiences himself as subject, a participant in the creative plan of God.”

“This explains,” he said, “why the lack of work or precarious work undermines man’s dignity, creating not only situations of injustice and poverty, which frequently degenerate into despair, criminality and violence, but also into an identity crisis in persons.”

The Pontiff said it is thus “urgent” that serious and effective measures, as well as a firm will, are set to finding ways so that “all will have access to fitting, stable and well remunerated work, through which they are sanctified and participate actively in the development of society, combining intense and responsible work with appropriate times for a rich, fruitful and harmonious family life.”

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Full text: www.zenit.org/article-33818?l=english

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