VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE   
   YEAR XXII - # 181   
   DATE 16-10-2015   
      
   Summary:   
   - Step up the battle against hunger and malnutrition   
   - Pope Francis visits the "Dono di Misericordia" dormitory   
   - Contributions to the Synod from the representatives of other Christian   
   denominations   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Step up the battle against hunger and malnutrition   
    Vatican City, 16 October 2015 (VIS) - On the occasion of the seventieth   
   anniversary of the foundation of the United Nations Food and Agriculture   
   Organisation (FAO), the Holy Father sent a message to the director general Jose   
   Graziano da Silva.   
    Noting that a great number of our brothers and sisters still suffer from   
   hunger   
   and malnutrition in spite of the great efforts made to combat these problems,   
   he   
   condemns the underlying causes: an uneven distribution of resources and the   
   lack   
   of agricultural development. "We live in an age in which the unfettered pursuit   
   of profit, the concentration of particular interests and the effects of unjust   
   policies render less effective the actions taken by States or impede effective   
   cooperation within the international community". He adds that much remains to   
   be   
   done in this area.   
    The theme chosen for this year's World Food Day - "Social protection and   
   agriculture, breaking the cycle of poverty", is an issue that affects two   
   thirds   
   of the world population, who lack even basic social protection. "This fact is   
   made even more alarming by the fact that the majority of these people live in   
   the most disadvantaged parts of countries where ... the only means of survival   
   is   
   linked to scarce agricultural production, and small-scale fishing and animal   
   husbandry. Indeed, the lack of social protection weighs most heavily on local   
   farmers ... and fishermen, forced to live in precarious conditions, as the   
   fruit   
   of their work depends largely on environmental conditions that are often   
   outside   
   their control, and they lack resources for facing poor harvests or for   
   procuring   
   the necessary technical tools. Paradoxically, even when production is abundant,   
   they encounter serious difficulties linked to the transportation, sale and   
   conservation of the fruits of their labour".   
    Faced with this situations, "we cannot be satisfied with a generic appeal for   
   cooperation or to the common good. Perhaps we must ask: is it still possible to   
   conceive of a society in which the resources reside in the hands of the few,   
   and   
   the least privileged must make do with the leftovers? The answer cannot be   
   limited to good intentions, but must consist rather in 'social peace, the   
   stability and security provided by a certain order which cannot be achieved   
   without particular concern for distributive justice; whenever this is violated,   
   violence always ensues", the Pope writes.   
    The most disadvantaged, due to the lack of social protection, "suffer the   
   negative consequences of a persistent economic crisis or phenomena linked to   
   corruption and poor governance, as well as climate changes", and "ask for our   
   support, to be able to look to the future with a minimum of hope". However,   
   "social protection cannot be limited to an increase in income, or be reduced to   
   investment in means of subsistence for an improvement of agricultural   
   production   
   or the promotion of equitable economic development. It must be made concrete in   
   that 'social love' that is the key to genuine development. ... Social   
   protection   
   can foster in the most disadvantaged a capacity for resilience, to face and   
   overcome difficulties". For instance, he added, it is able to "support the   
   family, whose members learn from the beginning what it means to share, to help   
   each other, and to protect each other. Guaranteeing family life means promoting   
   the economic growth of women, thus consolidating their role in society, as well   
   as favouring care for the elderly and enabling the young to continue their   
   scholastic and professional preparation".   
    "The Church does not have the mission of directly dealing with such problems   
   from a technical point of view. However, the human aspects of these situations   
   cannot leave her indifferent". He concludes, "May all people, in accordance   
   with   
   their own possibilities, give the best of themselves in a spirit of genuine   
   service to others. In this effort, the work of the FAO will be fundamental if   
   it   
   has the necessary means for ensuring social protection in the framework of   
   sustainable development and the support of those who live and work in   
   agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing and forestry".   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Pope Francis visits the "Dono di Misericordia" dormitory   
    Vatican City, 16 October 2015 (VIS) - Shortly after 7 p.m. yesterday,   
   following   
   the Synod meeting, the Holy Father visited the new dormitory for the homeless   
   located in premises provided by the Society of Jesus, inaugurated on 7 October   
   and managed by religious sisters of Charity and a number of volunteers who will   
   manage the new structure, under the auspices of the Office of the Apostolic   
   Almoner,   
    The Pope was welcomed upon arrival by the Apostolic Almoner Archbishop Konrad   
   Krajewski, superior general of the Jesuits Fr. Adolfo Nicolas Pachon. He toured   
   the dormitory and services, and spoke at length with the current guests.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Contributions to the Synod from the representatives of other Christian   
   denominations   
    Vatican City, 16 October 2015 (VIS) - This morning, during the twelfth general   
   congregation of the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the Synod Fathers heard   
   interventions by the fraternal delegates representing other Christian   
   denominations.   
    Rev. Dr. Walter Altmann, of the World Council of Churches Central Committee,   
   said that the WCC has been speaking since its 2013 Assembly in Korea of a   
   "'pilgrimage of justice and peace', underlining that we are together on a faith   
   journey and are deeply committed to justice and peace as signs of God's reign   
   to   
   come. This commitment to express the values of God's reign as justice and peace   
   is very significant for all those who live together in different types of   
   family   
   life. That is the first and innermost circle of our life together as we seek to   
   bring fairness and reconciliation. From my own continent of Latin America, and   
   from my experience as Moderator of the WCC, I know how many women and men, and   
   not the least children, need that the church be a fellowship of inclusion and   
   healing, recognising our differences in the bond of love. The openness required   
   for change, and for new commitment to God's call today, should be a mark of our   
   pilgrimage as a common journey of the churches".   
    The Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette of the Coptic Orthodox Church spoke about   
   the pastoral mission of his Church towards persons with homosexual tendencies:   
   that is, to "explain in a tender, tolerant and convincing way that   
   homosexuality   
   is a great sin forbidden by God according to the Holy Scriptures. ...   
   Consequently, the Church's main pastoral mission is to encourage such people to   
   repentance guiding them to lead a pure life. ... If a married party is   
   homosexual   
   - forcing the other party into intercourses against the natural use - the   
   church   
      
   --- MPost/386 v1.21   
    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS=Huntsville AL=bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)