Posted on 09/26/2004 8:30:20 AM PDT by FITZ
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (AP) -- Pope John Paul II denounced the "imbalance" between the world's rich and poor Sunday and applauded efforts to eliminate hunger, like the recent U.N. initiative to increase funds for development.
The 84-year-old pontiff had to stop for breath every few words as he spoke to a few hundred pilgrims and tourists in his last Sunday appearance this season at his summer palace in the hill town of Castel Gandolfo. John Paul has Parkinson's disease, making it difficult for him to walk and to pronounce his words.
The pontiff said Sunday's Gospel passage about Lazarus, an impoverished beggar who ate the scraps from a rich man's table, was "ever more appropriate in reference to the problem of the imbalance between the riches and poverty of the world today."
On Monday, the presidents of Brazil and France encouraged 110 countries to back a new declaration to fight hunger and poverty and to increase funds for development. More than 50 heads of state or government joined in a debate at the United Nations on the impact of globalization and on ways to finance the war on poverty.
John Paul called the U.N. meeting important and said it was aimed at "a more united and efficient action against hunger and poverty." He noted the Vatican's No. 2 official, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who is the city-state's secretary of state, participated in the debate and pledged the Holy See's support for the initiative.
The United States didn't join in the pledge to fight hunger and poverty. The Bush administration objected to proposals for international taxes as undemocratic and impossible to implement.
John Paul reiterated his Church's backing.
"The Catholic Church assures all its commitment to eradicating the scourge of hunger and the other consequences of poverty from the world," the pope said.
He prayed that God would "sustain the efforts of the international community aimed at justice and solid development. This, in fact, is the path which can guarantee to the world a future of peace."
John Paul also offered prayers on prayers for families and populations "most tried by the unfair distribution of wealth that God destines for all his children."
While the pope struggled with his brief speech Sunday, he announced he was forging ahead with his grueling schedule. After again taking up residence at the Vatican on Wednesday, he will lead a long beatification ceremony on Oct. 3 in St. Peter's Square.
Naturally. He could scarcely raise the fellow from the dead BEFORE he died.
I agree wholeheartedly!
The Catholic Church represents one of the wealthiest enterprises on Earth. I'm sure they have begun to sell some of their numerous works of art and metalworks so as to donate to the world's poor.
Or would I be wrong to assume that?
Another position like that of the U.N.?
Catholic in name only.......just as bad as a RINO....
NeverGore :^)
God loves a wealthy man as much as the poor.
Wasn't that Lazarus?
He seems to have no problem proposing that others' property be taken from them to fund this project. But the treasures of the Church which he rules are "not his to sell"?
The Pope is a genuinely great and godly man and everyone in the world owes him a debt of gratitude for his brave stand against Communism, but for the head of the Catholic Church to denounce unequal distribution of wealth is an act of brazen hypocrisy.
Your thinking as an American in the freest country with the greatest opportunity on earth.....
Most countries are run by despots that suppress any wealth accumalation since those who become wealthy will eventually challenge their rule.
The people aren't lazy....look at Russia once a little freedom was granted.....
The desparity of wealth in most nations are ridiculous and counter productive to peace and prosperity....
Now a global tax that more affluent nations pay into is ridiculous.
NeverGore :^)
"Catholic in name only.......just as bad as a RINO...."
In support of Kristian, I believe that, at times, the "CINO" terminology appears to apply to the Vatican as well.
"We are the most generous nation on the planet."
Deeds, not words, just like President Bush.
JPII did at the beginning of his Papacy decide to sell the Vatican treasures to feed the poor. However the rest of the church said, "No way". I agree with this.
That being said, there is no sacrifice when someone is told to be charitable. If I give freely it is a blessing and glory to God. Taking what I have to give to the poor is not a blessing nor glory to God, it is stealing. JPII needs to understand this. We will not be forced to be holy. We can only be holy of our own accord.
This man is kept so out of touch by his handlers that he feels he is doing the right thing. However, he needs to be more in touch with the spiritual part of the church and less concerned with those things he is not involved with.
P.S. Kristian, if you have not stepped foot in a Catholic Church for decades, you are not a Catholic. You may have been raised Catholic but right now you are a fallen Catholic or recovering Catholic, depending on your point of view!
Yes --- Jesus preached about personal charity --- but what the Pope seems to want is international Marxism. "From those according to their abilities, to those according to their needs."
It's the Protestant Work Ethic, attitude toward self-governance, and Calvinist life-style that actually led to a society with a huge middle class and comfortable life-style for anyone who would work for it --- Catholic countries like Mexico and all of Latin America maintain large class divisions and wealth for only a small handful.
Once the Pope was a great man --- a fighter against Communism --- he's become weak --- but there have been weak popes in the past. His time on earth is almost over.
All my respect for this pope left when he kissed the Koran --- at that point it was obvious his mind was gone --- it's really too bad because he started out very good and strong.
The mechanism that restores balance in wealth ( a free market, capitalistic system) is detested by those who decry the imbalance.
<< I have not set foot in a catholic church for decades >>
... then you are not a Catholic.
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