Charity workers are called to be witnesses of the value of life, says Holy Father
Vatican City, Mar 1, 2008 / 01:46 am (CNA).- The Holy Father received participants of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum"on Friday, who are meeting to reflect on the theme: "Human and spiritual qualities of people who work in Catholic charity institutions". The Pope called on them to never let their work simply become ‘philanthropy’ but for them to always be “witnesses of evangelical love.”
The Pontiff spoke of how “charitable activity occupies a central position in the Church's evangelizing mission. We must not forget that works of charity are an important area in which to meet people who do not yet know Christ, or who know Him only partially. It is right, then, that pastors and those responsible for pastoral charity work ... should concern themselves with the human, professional and theological-spiritual formation" of people who operate in this field.
With this mission, "Those who work in the many forms of charitable activity of the Church cannot, then, content themselves just with offering technical services or resolving practical problems and difficulties. The assistance they provide must never be reduced to mere philanthropy but must be a tangible expression of evangelical love."
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