Pope Francis forcefully
returned to two of the issues dearest to his heart on Thursday
when he demanded action to combat hunger and protect the
environment.
The Argentine pontiff has frequently spoken about both
issues since becoming the leader of the world's 1.2 billion
Catholics last year, and linked these issues to the need for
greater social justice.
He reiterated that stance - which has led him to be branded
a communist by some, a claim he rebuts - in a speech to the
Second Conference on Nutrition at the Rome-based United Nations
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
"Nowadays there is much talk of rights, frequently
neglecting duties; perhaps we have paid too little heed to those
who are hungry," the pope said.
"It is also painful to see that the struggle against hunger
and malnutrition is hindered by 'market priorities', the
'primacy of profit', which have reduced foodstuffs to a
commodity like any other, subject to speculation, also of a
financial nature.
"And while we speak of new rights, the hungry remain, at
the street corner, and ask to be recognised as citizens, to
receive a healthy diet. We ask for dignity, not for charity".
The pope also stressed that there existed "paradox of
plenty" which means that there are around 805 million people in
the world, or one in nine, suffering from hunger, even though
there is enough food for everyone.
"There are few subjects about which we find as many
fallacies as those related to hunger; few topics as likely to be
manipulated by data, statistics, the demands of national
security, corruption, or futile lamentation about the economic
crisis," he said.
"This is the first challenge to be overcome".
Francis warned that a lack of solidarity with the poorest
and weakest members of society risked leading to social and
political turmoil.
"The second challenge to be faced is the lack of
solidarity," he said.
"Our societies are characterised by growing individualism
and division: this ends up depriving the weakest of a decent
life, and provokes revolts against institutions".
The pope also commented on the need to protect "Mother
Nature", with climate change producing extreme weather, like the
deadly storms that have hit Italy in recent weeks, and
threatening to hit food production, with the poorest set to be
the most badly hit.
"God always forgives, men sometimes forgive, but nature
never forgives," the pope said, citing an an Argentine proverb.
Francis also challenged existing economic paradigms in a
video message for Thursday's opening of a festival in Verona
about the Church's social doctrine.
"Money alone cannot create development, for development you
need people who have the courage to take the initiative," he
said.
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