PROMOTE A CULTURE OPEN TO ALL SOCIAL CLASSES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 19, 2001 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received the new ambassador of Mexico, Fernando Estrada Samano, on the occasion of the presentation of his Letters of Credence.

In his discourse, the Pope recalled that Mexico lives "a process of political maturation, which, through profound changes in numerous aspects of the social life, aspires to overcome the structural causes of poverty and marginalization, through a model of integral development founded on social justice. To do this, it is necessary to promote a culture which favors democratic and participatory institutions, founded upon the recognition of human rights and the cultural and spiritual values of the Mexican people."

He noted that globalization has helped some, but has also caused "new forms of impoverishment, marginalization, and even the exclusion of large social groups, in particular peasants and indigenous peoples. For this reason it is necessary that the political and cultural institutions truly place themselves at the service of man, without distinctions of race or social class."

John Paul II affirmed that relations between Church and State in Mexico "are characterized by greater respect and reciprocal cordiality. ... Thus, through a constructive dialogue it is possible to promote the fundamental values of the order and development of the society. In this sense it is time that the integral historical truth of Mexico, from its origins, be analyzed with greater clarity, overcoming prejudices and rejection, conflicts and reductionism."

The Pope emphasized the concern of the Church in Mexico and of Mexicans for the establishment of "a more just order for the indigenous peoples. ... Some, with the goal of protecting the indigenous peoples, have insisted on ideologies based upon a distorted reading of history. Others, on the contrary, have extolled values brought from outside as being the only valid and authentic ones. In the face of this panorama, it is necessary to bring about a purification of memory and assess the mestizos identity - starting with the two cultures which have mingled - which has an enormous future potential if reconciled with itself."

The Holy Father concluded by noting that "it is necessary to promote, without further delay, the value of the dignity of the indigenous peoples. ... With greater self-awareness, it will be possible to strengthen the understanding that all are brothers within the great Mexican family."

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