VATICAN CITY, FEB 10, 2007 (VIS) - This morning, Benedict XVI received the Letters of Credence of Luis Paris Chaverri, the new ambassador of Costa Rica to the Holy See.
In opening his address to the diplomat, the Pope mentioned "the strong religious imprint" of Costa Rica, which "reflects the faith of the people following more than five centuries since the start of evangelization."
The Holy Father indicated how the various ecclesial communities "cooperate in such vital fields as education, aiding the disadvantaged, healthcare, and the promotion of people in their condition of citizens and children of God." Costa Rican bishops are concerned over "growing levels of poverty, public insecurity and domestic violence, as well as intense immigration from neighboring countries. Faced with such situations, at times conflictive, and in order to defend the common good, they seek to collaborate in initiatives that favor understanding and conciliation, and lead to the promotion of justice and solidarity, fomenting ... national dialogue between the leaders of public life."
"Social improvements are not achieved by applying only the necessary technical measures, but also by promoting reforms that uphold an ethical view of the person, of the family and of society. To this end, moral values such as honesty, austerity and responsibility must be cultivated for the common good. In this way it will be possible to prevent the individual and collective forms of selfishness and corruption, ... that prevent all forms of progress."
Benedict XVI praised government initiatives "to promote peace and human rights in the world," as well as the country's "traditional proximity to the positions held by the Holy See in various international organizations on important questions such as the defense of human life and the promotion of marriage and the family.
"All Costa Ricans," he added, "must be protagonists and architects of the country's progress," cooperating to create "a political stability that enables everyone to participate in public life." In this context, the Holy Father recalled that "the moral teachings of the Church offer values and guidelines which, when taken into consideration - especially by those who work in the service of the nation - are a great help in providing an adequate response to the needs and aspirations of citizens."
The Pope then went on to refer to "the painful and widespread problem of poverty," which has "serious consequences in the field of education, health and housing, and represents a pressing challenge for governments and heads of public administration."
This problem "requires a greater awareness, enabling the current situation to be faced in all its dimensions, cooperating in a real commitment for the common good. As in other areas, the poor lack basic essentials and have no access to the indispensable resources that would enable their promotion and integral development, This affects, above all, immigrants seeking a better standard of living. Faced with such a situation, the Church ... seeks to encourage and favor initiatives aimed at overcoming situations of marginalization."
CD/LETTERS OF CREDENCE/COSTA RICA:PARIS VIS 20070212 (510)
In opening his address to the diplomat, the Pope mentioned "the strong religious imprint" of Costa Rica, which "reflects the faith of the people following more than five centuries since the start of evangelization."
The Holy Father indicated how the various ecclesial communities "cooperate in such vital fields as education, aiding the disadvantaged, healthcare, and the promotion of people in their condition of citizens and children of God." Costa Rican bishops are concerned over "growing levels of poverty, public insecurity and domestic violence, as well as intense immigration from neighboring countries. Faced with such situations, at times conflictive, and in order to defend the common good, they seek to collaborate in initiatives that favor understanding and conciliation, and lead to the promotion of justice and solidarity, fomenting ... national dialogue between the leaders of public life."
"Social improvements are not achieved by applying only the necessary technical measures, but also by promoting reforms that uphold an ethical view of the person, of the family and of society. To this end, moral values such as honesty, austerity and responsibility must be cultivated for the common good. In this way it will be possible to prevent the individual and collective forms of selfishness and corruption, ... that prevent all forms of progress."
Benedict XVI praised government initiatives "to promote peace and human rights in the world," as well as the country's "traditional proximity to the positions held by the Holy See in various international organizations on important questions such as the defense of human life and the promotion of marriage and the family.
"All Costa Ricans," he added, "must be protagonists and architects of the country's progress," cooperating to create "a political stability that enables everyone to participate in public life." In this context, the Holy Father recalled that "the moral teachings of the Church offer values and guidelines which, when taken into consideration - especially by those who work in the service of the nation - are a great help in providing an adequate response to the needs and aspirations of citizens."
The Pope then went on to refer to "the painful and widespread problem of poverty," which has "serious consequences in the field of education, health and housing, and represents a pressing challenge for governments and heads of public administration."
This problem "requires a greater awareness, enabling the current situation to be faced in all its dimensions, cooperating in a real commitment for the common good. As in other areas, the poor lack basic essentials and have no access to the indispensable resources that would enable their promotion and integral development, This affects, above all, immigrants seeking a better standard of living. Faced with such a situation, the Church ... seeks to encourage and favor initiatives aimed at overcoming situations of marginalization."
CD/LETTERS OF CREDENCE/COSTA RICA:PARIS VIS 20070212 (510)
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