BRAZILIAN BISHOPS: RESPONSES TO ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 26, 2002 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received prelates from the Southern Region (III-IV) of the National Conference of Bishops from Brazil who just completed their "ad limina" visit.

In his speech, the Pope recalled that "in exercising the triple function of sanctifying, teaching and governing, bishops help the faithful to be authentic witnesses to the Risen Jesus. It is not always easy to guide them in their search for appropriate responses - according to the teachings of Jesus Christ - to the challenges in the economic and social context."

After emphasizing that plans for development implemented in the 20th century brought about material growth in the country, he said, these plans were still "not capable of eliminating poverty and misery or reducing inequalities in wealth and income, which continue to grow. Perhaps Brazilian economic history itself may be a good demonstration of the inefficacy of economic systems designed to resolve the problems of human development by themselves, when they are not complemented by a strong ethical commitment and a constant effort of service to human dignity."

"The simple planning of measures in the long term to correct existing imbalances never should overlook the commitment of the institutional and personal solidarity of all Brazilians. Thus, Catholics who make up the majority of the Brazilian population, can make a fundamental contribution."

John Paul II indicated that "a vision of the economy and the social problems that departs from the social doctrine of the Church leads us to consider things always from the point of view of the dignity of the human being which transcends the simple games of economics. Furthermore, it helps us to understand that in order to achieve social justice much more is necessary than the simple application of ideological outlines produced by the struggle of the classes, such as for example the invasion of lands - that I reproached during my pastoral visit in 1991 - and of public and private buildings, or, in order not to cite others, the adoption of extreme technical measures which could have much more serious consequences than injustice which aimed at resolving (problems), such as in the case of not fulfilling international commitments."

The Holy Father referred to the importance of promoting the participation of lay people "so that - as much as possible - authentic justice and solidarity, which are the fruits of a coherent Christian life, will reign in Brazil. In a true democracy there must always be legal options so that groups, instead of resorting to violence, can facilitate processes of just pressure in order to accelerate the establishment of equality and justice, so desired, for all."

"We must work incessantly," he concluded, "for the formation of politicians, of all Brazilians so that they may have some decision-making power, great or small, and in general, of all members of society, so that they may assume their own responsibilities fully and know how to offer a human and unified face to economics. It is necessary to instill in the political and business echelons an authentic spirit of truthfulness and integrity."

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