Encyclical deals with harmony in diversity

I was very pleased to read the editorial in The Times (July 13) dealing with Pope Benedict's new encyclical, Caritas In Veritate (Charity In Truth). In many ways, the Pontiff is quite correct that the world needs to pull in unison for the benefit of the whole human family. However, like any family, our world has its motherly or nurturing elements; its fatherly or patriarchal elements which forcefully guide and sustain; and childlike elements of stages of growth and dependence.

The perils of human existence - poverty, disease and oppression - cannot be cured or swept away by mere hopes and dreams alone, nor by diminishing the current resources or abilities of existing world nations. The papal encyclical deals with an underlying theme of harmony in diversity.

Different approaches and different methods need not be shunned solely because the idea is not universally practised.

Wealthy nations of the world should not be viewed with suspicion by poorer nations - the key is to cultivate incentives and opportunities which benefit the entire human race. Benevolence, charity and chivalry work best when voluntarily extended.

The Knights of Malta of old were known for their charity; but they were also known for their diversity of the eight different Langues and for their firm patriarchal sense in that good order, peace and harmony should prevail. Anything worth practising is worth defending. Pope Benedict's encyclical offers many inspirational thoughts - and it should be noted that Charity In Truth relies ultimately on responsibility by all.