he eradication of poverty “certainly requires technical and political measures directed towards those economic and productive activities that take into account the common good and especially the least well off. However, it must not be forgotten that these measures will be inadequate if they are not animated by authentic ethical values,” John Paul II told the Mexican ambassador to the Holy See, Javier Moctezuma Barragán, on the occasion of the presentation of his credential letters in the Vatican this morning.
It is necessary to support the indigenous people in their legitimate aspirations, respecting and defending the authentic values of every ethnic group. Mexico needs its indigenous people and the indigenous people need Mexico!
“A development model that fails to tackle social imbalances decisively cannot prosper in the future,” continued the Holy Father. Concerning the current scenario in Mexico, John Paul II observed that “particular attention must go to the indigenous people, who are so numerous in Mexico and often relegated to oblivion. In the Basilica of Guadeloupe, canonizing the Indian Juan Diego, I had the chance to remark that ‘the noble challenge of building a better, fairer and more caring Mexico requires everyone’s collaboration.
In particular, it is necessary to support the indigenous people in their legitimate aspirations, respecting and defending the authentic values of every ethnic group. Mexico needs its indigenous people and the indigenous people need Mexico!’” Among the concerns of the Church and the social sectors in Mexico, the Pope recalled “the growing phenomenon of emigration by Mexicans to other countries, especially the United States.
To the uncertainty of one who leaves in search of better conditions is added the problem of cultural uprooting and the painful loss or separation from one’s family, without forgetting the dire consequences of numerous cases of living underground.”
According to the Church, the measures adopted in the countries of immigration “must be accompanied by decisive action in the country of origin, where emigration is managed”. For this reason, “it is necessary first of all to identify and resolve those problems that cause many citizens to abandon their land,” concluded the Pope.
(From MISNA)