POPE-ITALY May-29-2008 (320 words) xxxi
Social, economic problems can't be solved without God, says pope
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Social, political and economic problems can never be resolved fully if humanity does not put God back at the center of life, Pope Benedict XVI said.
It is only through God and with one's hopes and values springing from him that "it is possible to rediscover a strong and steady faith in life and give soundness and energy to our projects" promoting people's welfare, he said.
The pope spoke May 29 during a private audience with Italian bishops who were meeting for their general assembly in Rome.
Even though Italian society is facing many problems, the pope said, "the fundamental problem of humanity remains the problem of God."
"No other human and social problem will ever be truly resolved if God does not return to the center of our life," he said.
The pope repeated a call he made during his April visit to the United States -- that as evangelizers and leaders of the Catholic community bishops must "participate in the exchange of ideas in the public square, helping to shape cultural attitudes."
Christianity can offer "a key contribution" to the clarification and resolution of some of the major social and moral problems Italy and Europe are facing today, he said.
Priests, parents and educators also must help give children spiritual guidance and a moral compass rooted in Christ, he said.
The pope urged the Italian bishops to continue to promote the importance of the family based on marriage between a woman and a man and the sanctity of life, especially that of the weakest and the infirm.
"Nor can we close our eyes and be speechless before the poverty, hardships and social injustices that afflict a large part of humanity," he said. The poor and disadvantaged of the world need "the generous commitment of everyone," he said.
Social, economic problems can't be solved without God, says pope
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Social, political and economic problems can never be resolved fully if humanity does not put God back at the center of life, Pope Benedict XVI said.
It is only through God and with one's hopes and values springing from him that "it is possible to rediscover a strong and steady faith in life and give soundness and energy to our projects" promoting people's welfare, he said.
The pope spoke May 29 during a private audience with Italian bishops who were meeting for their general assembly in Rome.
Even though Italian society is facing many problems, the pope said, "the fundamental problem of humanity remains the problem of God."
"No other human and social problem will ever be truly resolved if God does not return to the center of our life," he said.
The pope repeated a call he made during his April visit to the United States -- that as evangelizers and leaders of the Catholic community bishops must "participate in the exchange of ideas in the public square, helping to shape cultural attitudes."
Christianity can offer "a key contribution" to the clarification and resolution of some of the major social and moral problems Italy and Europe are facing today, he said.
Priests, parents and educators also must help give children spiritual guidance and a moral compass rooted in Christ, he said.
The pope urged the Italian bishops to continue to promote the importance of the family based on marriage between a woman and a man and the sanctity of life, especially that of the weakest and the infirm.
"Nor can we close our eyes and be speechless before the poverty, hardships and social injustices that afflict a large part of humanity," he said. The poor and disadvantaged of the world need "the generous commitment of everyone," he said.
Source: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0802888.htm
P.S. THIS IS A BLACK AND WHITE ISSUE.....Arsenio