Feburary 2003



P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That all Christians, sensitive to the distressing condition of the peoples who are still suffering from hunger and thirst, may be moved to greater solidarity towards their brothers.

Focusing on the importance of protecting and defending children against every form of violence the Holy Father draws attention to the plight of children in this new millennium. They become victims of hideous forms of exploitation in a world that prides itself in its unending success in every modern invention for a more than comfortable and affluent life. Nonetheless, not everything in this age is correct, just or right.

In this pursuit for more wealth, power, comfort and pleasure the most exploited are children and the weak. They are even denied the right to be born or to live decently. When people want to build a world ignoring God and His law, they are in fact giving rise to a situation of more suffering and injustice. Scant attention is paid to the welfare of children and their families. Good social values get eroded in exchange for instant satisfaction and quick profit at whatever cost.

In this process the defenceless become victims of senseless exploitation. The Lord invites us to correct these wrongs by cooperating in the great plan He has for every person and for the whole human race. The Lord entrusts His plans to us by asking us to help Him make the world more beautiful and welcoming.



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