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

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 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".

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 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.

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 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

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