HUMAN RIGHTS CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN IN THE MARKETPLACE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 14, 1999 (VIS) - Following Mass this morning at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Lowicz, the Pope went to the bishop's residence where he had lunch with the provincial bishops and the prelates of his entourage. In mid-afternoon he took a helicopter to Sosnowiec, a poor mining and steel town in southern Poland, where, at 6:45 p.m. he celebrated the Liturgy of the Word in the presence of 400,000 people.

The Holy Father's homily focussed on the value, meaning and dignity of human work. "The pilgrimage of the history of each nation leaves as a legacy the fruit of human work," he said. And he underscored that "we cannot forget the divine perspective of sharing in the work of creation, which confers upon all human effort true meaning and dignity. Without this perspective work can easily lose its subjective dimension. When this happens, the man who does not work is no longer important, and all that matters is the material worth of what is produced."

"It seems that in this time of necessary economic changes in our country, signs of such a danger have appeared," John Paul II stated. "Because of the laws of the market, human rights are forgotten; this happens in varying degrees all over the world. It happens, for example, when the claim is made that economic profit justifies taking away the job of someone who not only loses a job but every prospect for supporting himself or his family. It also happens when, to increase production, the worker is denied the right to rest, the right to care for his family, or the freedom to plan his daily life."

Pointing out that "this concerns not only employers but employees," the Pope stated: "The job can dominate a man's life to the point where he no longer notices his need to look after his health, the development of his personality, the happiness of his loved ones or in the end, his relationship with God."

"I mention this today in order to awaken consciences," affirmed the Holy Father. "Those who have lost the right judgment of conscience can transform the blessing of work into a curse. Wisdom is needed to discover anew the supernatural dimension of work. ... A correctly formed conscience is needed to discern work's absolute value. A spirit of sacrifice is needed lest our own humanity and the happiness of others are lost on the altar of well-being."

Telling workers that the "the Pope and the Church are interested in your problems," John Paul II said that God exists - is near -and cares constantly for man's journey. ... Man needs witness to the presence of God. Man today, especially the worker, needs a Church that bears witness with new force."

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