Quotes and news

Speaking to five new ambassadors to the Holy See, Pope Benedict said “even without great material resources, it is possible to be happy”.

He called for a “new mobilisation” to ease the suffering of those in need throughout the world, mentioning microcredit programmes as a positive initiative that helps people break the circle of poverty.

The Pope listed urban migration, armed conflict, famine and pandemics as among the main problems very negatively affecting the poor.

He also mentioned the worldwide economic crisis and the consumer mentality that has “led people to believe in the possibility of unlimited enjoyment and consumption.”

He said marginalisation leads to loneliness. He acknowledged the frustration that arises when poor people perceive that the economic and legal system favours the rich. He said it is “therefore appropriate that states ensure that the social laws do not increase inequalities and enable people to live decently”.

The Pope added that the loss of spiritual values and of the sense of God are also a cause of poverty, but not of the material kind. Materialism cannot satisfy human needs, he said, “for the greatest poverty is the lack of love”.

Nepal to criminalise evangelisation

Evangelisation will become a criminal offence in Nepal and this provision will be included in the constitution.

In 2006, Nepal became a secular state after the Maoist rebellion succeeded in transforming this Hindu monarchy. During the ensuing period, Christian evangelisation had made inroads. The Church is very worried with the new negative development.

Ireland’s Cardinal Brady will not resign

Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh, the Primate of All Ireland, is the centre of a controversy arising from allegations that he did not take appropriate steps to stop child abuse.

The cardinal has strongly denied these allegations. He said he will not resign and denied that he had already offered to resign in 2010.

The Irish bishops’ conference issued a statement explaining that in May 2010 the cardinal had “asked Pope Benedict for additional support for my work, at episcopal level” – in other words, requested the assignment of an auxiliary bishop to help him – but had not offered to resign.

Fr Vincent Twomey, an influential Irish theologian and former professor at the country’s Maynooth seminary, joined the public figures who have called upon Cardinal Brady to step down.

Columnist David Quinn partially defended the cardinal but added that his moral authority has been badly compromised.

Bishops recommend higher minimum wage

The Catholic bishops of New York have issued a call for a raise in the state’s minimum wage which at present stands at around €9 an hour. The bishops contend that this leads to an inadequate standard of living in New York.

While conceding that they are not economic experts, the bishops say: “What we can tell you from first-hand experience is that it is becoming increasingly difficult for the working poor of our state to make ends meet.”

Human trafficking likened to slavery

Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, president of the Pontifical Coun­cil for Justice and Peace, said many people “live every day in conditions approximating slavery” be­cause of human trafficking. This ugly business, he said, is run “by unscru­pulous criminals who fill their pockets by trafficking and exploitation”.

He said although national laws are needed to combat human trafficking, a comprehensive solution requires “the conversion of hearts, above all else”.

He added that efforts to ease poverty are part of the overall solution, since societies living in extreme need “provide opportunities for traffickers to find their victims”.

(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)