Ladies and Gentlemen,
I thank you, Mr President,
for your kind welcome and for your words of greeting in the name of the authorities and people of the
Philippines, and the distinguished members of the Diplomatic Corps. I am most
grateful for your invitation to visit the Philippines.
It comes as the Church in
this country is preparing to celebrate the fifth centenary of the first
proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on these shores. The Christian
message has had an immense influence on Filipino culture.
It is my hope that this
important anniversary will point to its continuing fruitfulness and its potential to inspire a society worthy of the
goodness, dignity and aspirations of the Filipino people.
In a particular way, this
visit is meant to express my closeness to our brothers and sisters who endured
the suffering, loss and devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda.
Together with many people
throughout the world, I have admired the heroic strength, faith and resilience
demonstrated by so many Filipinos in the face of this natural disaster, and so
many others.
Those virtues, rooted not
least in the hope and solidarity instilled by Christian faith, gave rise to an
outpouring of goodness and generosity, especially on the part of so many of the
young. In that moment of national crisis, countless people came to the aid of
their neighbors in need.
At great sacrifice, they
gave of their time and resources, creating networks of mutual help and working
for the common good.
This example of solidarity
in the work of rebuilding teaches us an important lesson. Like a family, every
society draws on its deepest resources in order to face new challenges.
Today the Philippines,
together with many other countries in Asia, faces the challenge of building on solid
foundations a modern society – a society respectful of authentic human values,
protective of our God-given human dignity and rights, and ready to confront new
and complex political and ethical questions.
As many voices in your
nation have pointed out, it is now, more than ever, necessary that political
leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common
good. In this way they will help preserve the rich human and natural resources
with which God has blessed this country.
Thus will they be able to
marshall the moral resources needed to face the demands of the present, and to
pass on to coming generations a society of authentic justice, solidarity and
peace.
Essential to the attainment of these national
goals is the moral imperative of ensuring social justice and respect for human
dignity. The great biblical tradition enjoins on all peoples the duty to hear
the voice of the poor.
It bids us break the bonds
of injustice and oppression which give rise to glaring, and indeed scandalous,
social inequalities. Reforming the social structures which perpetuate poverty
and the exclusion of the poor first requires a conversion of mind and heart.
The Bishops of the
Philippines have asked that this year be set aside as the “Year of the Poor.”
I hope that this prophetic
summons will challenge everyone, at all levels of society, to reject every form
of corruption which diverts resources from the poor, and to make concerted
efforts to ensure the inclusion of every man and woman and child in the life of
the community.
A fundamental role in the renewal of society
is played, of course, by the family and especially by young people.
A highlight of my visit will
be my meetings with families and with young people here in Manila.
Families have an
indispensable mission in society. It is in the family that children are trained
in sound values, high ideals and genuine concern for others.
But like all God’s gifts,
the family can also be disfigured and destroyed. It needs our support. We know
how difficult it is for our democracies today to preserve and defend such basic
human values as respect for the inviolable dignity of each human person,
respect for the rights of conscience and religious freedom, and respect for the
inalienable right to life, beginning with that of the unborn and extending to
that of the elderly and infirm.
For this reason, families
and local communities must be encouraged and assisted in their efforts to
transmit to our young the values and the vision which can help bring about a
culture of integrity – one which honors goodness, truthfulness, fidelity and
solidarity as the firm foundation and the moral glue which holds society together.
Mr President, distinguished authorities, dear
friends:
As I begin my visit to this country, I cannot
fail to mention the Philippines’ important role in fostering understanding and
cooperation among the countries of Asia.
I would also mention the oft-neglected
yet real contribution of Filipinos of the diaspora to the life and welfare of
the societies in which they live.
It is precisely in the light
of the rich cultural and religious heritage of which your country is proud that
I leave you with a challenge and a word of prayerful encouragement.
May the deepest spiritual
values of the Filipino people continue to find expression in your efforts to
provide your fellow citizens with an integral human development.
In this way, each person
will be able to fulfill his or her potential, and thus contribute wisely and
well to the future of this country.
I am confident that the
praiseworthy efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation between the followers
of the different religions will prove fruitful in the pursuit of this noble
goal.
In a particular way, I
express my trust that the progress made in bringing peace to the south of the
country will result in just solutions in accord with the nation’s founding
principles and respectful of the inalienable rights of all, including the
indigenous peoples and religious minorities.
Upon all of you, and upon all the men, women
and children of this beloved nation, I cordially invoke God’s abundant blessings.
Source: gmanetwork.com
You may also like: Pope Francis Message to the Youth
Source: gmanetwork.com
You may also like: Pope Francis Message to the Youth
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