ARGENTINA: REMAIN HOPEFUL IN FACE OF PRESENT SITUATION

VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 2002 (VIS) - The Pope today invited prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Argentina to continue to render, "to your faithful and to all people, the wonderful service of maintaining the true hope that is the Risen Christ, at such a critical moment both at an international level and in the particular situation" of this beloved nation.

"At this time," said the Holy Father to the bishops who have just completed their "ad limina" visit, "your country is passing through a profound social and economic crisis that affects all of society and, furthermore, that endangers democratic stability and the solidity of public institutions, with consequences that go beyond the nation's frontiers. ... These current concerns should lead to a serious examination of conscience on the responsibilities of each and every individual, as well as on the tragic consequences of unsupportive egoism, of the corruption that so many condemn and of short-sightedness and poor administration in handling the nation's wealth."

John Paul II highlighted: "At this moment, appropriate technical measures are most certainly required to raise the economy and ensure that no Argentinian lacks the resources necessary to develop as an individual and as a citizen." He encouraged the Church to foment "a national dialogue between leaders, so that each may actively cooperate in overcoming the crisis. Dialogue excludes the various expressions of violence, such as killing and looting, and helps to build a more human future with everyone's collaboration, thus avoiding a radical impoverishment of society."

The social situation, he went on, "does not improve only by the application of technical measures, but also and above all by promoting reforms with a human and moral base, reforms that give ethical consideration to the individual, the family and society."

In the face of the danger of division and of hatred and rancor, the Pope invited the Bishops to accompany the people "as ministers of reconciliation" so that, "overcoming present difficulties, they advance along the paths of harmony and sincere love among all people, without exception. You well know that the future of the country must be based on peace which is the fruit of justice."

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