Catholic Social Concerns: July 2011 Archives

In his Sunday prayers Pope Benedict appealed on behalf of the victims of the severe drought in the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia.  He asked Christians to show solidarity for the millions that face death by starvation in the worst conditions there in a century. Rain is not expected until October.

 

On July 14th, UNICEF called the situation in the Horn of Africa "the most severe humanitarian emergency in the world ... with Somalia being the epicenter of the crisis."

 

"Innumerable people are fleeing from that tremendous famine in search of food and help," the Pope told the crowd gathered in the courtyard of his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. "I hope that international mobilization will increase to send help in time to these brothers and sisters of ours, already sorely tried, among whom are so many children."

 

Benedict's prayer was: "May our solidarity and the concrete support of all people of good will, not be lacking to these suffering populations."  As a first expression of its concern, the Pontifical Council Cor Unum has sent a donation of $70,000.

Today, I had the opportunity to speak to Father Julián Carrón so as to clarify an aspect of what the Movement of Communion and Liberation understands its founder, Father Luigi Giussani to mean by doing charitable work. One of the central characteristics in the life of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation is doing charitable work, where I see "the final powerlessness of my love" and the presence of Christ now.