12 February, 2012         

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» 07/20/2009 16:42
PHILIPPINES
Encyclical: "a tool to understand the real meaning of human development"
by Santosh Digal
Filipino teachers and religious comment on the latest work of Pope Bendict XVI. In the largest Catholic country of Asia, the contents of the encyclical become an essential guide to the complex dynamics of economic development.

Manila (AsiaNews) – “Development is an essential condition for peace, but what you need now is the sharing of material goods and solidarity among people”. With these words Father Bernard O. Diaz, professor of religion at Adamson University in Manila, comments on the contents of the Pope’s new encyclical "Caritas in Veritate” to AsiaNews.   In a developing country like the Philippines, a wrong economic growth is often the product of poverty, crime, corruption, conflict. Father Diaz says that in this context, the encyclical is an “essential tool for understanding the real meaning of human development”.

In the document, Benedict XVI says that development "if it is to be authentically human", must “make room for the principle of freedom and pursue the achievement of the common good”. In this Father Diaz makes the concrete example of the foundation Bukas Palade (Open Hand), linked to the Focolare movement. It operates through the motto "Freely we receive freely we give" and provides concrete help for the poor, in the most degraded areas of the country. Inspired by the “Economy of Communion” theory of the Focolare movement born in the 60s', Bukas Palade is trying to build an alternative to the excessive use of capitalist ideology.

In this regards Jhonatan P. Reginales, teacher of sociology at the University of Manila, says that “due to the excessive emphasis of the role of the market and its instruments such as competition and schematic contracts, life becomes devoid of values such as gifting and reciprocity in helping”. For those reasons the contents of the encyclical "give people hope and a path to be followed in terms of social issues and development."

Antonio L. Maisong, Professor of Social Doctrine at the Church at St. Thomas Aquinas in Manila, focuses instead on the useful insights of the encyclical for the Filipino State. Indeed, “an appropriate use of the encyclical could lead to a reassessment of the role of the state and to its active involvement in the problems of society”.  He adds that in a country where the poverty rate exceeds 15%, the attention to the poor proclaimed by Pontif is crucial. Professor Maisong concludes that “the authorities must consider the poor an asset and not a burden”.

 

 


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See also
08/26/2009 PHILIPPINES
Cardinal Rosales: the global crisis the result of greed for profit
by Santosh Digal
07/22/2009 ITALY
Encyclical: the person must be at the heart of economics
by Maurizio d’Orlando
07/12/2009 VATICAN
In wake of G8, Pope warns of “dark scenarios” for world if absolutism of technology persists
07/10/2009 INDIA – VATICAN
Caritas in Veritate, a guide for India’s future, bishop of Poona says
by Nirmala Carvalho
03/18/2010 VATICAN
Pope: economic crisis opportunity to think of a more "human" development model

Editor's choices
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CHINA - VATICAN
Msgr. Savio Hon: Freedom for arrested bishops and priests, is also good for China
by Bernardo CervelleraEven if the government does not give answers or to the Holy See, or diplomats, or to friends of the Vatican and China, it is important that "no one forgets about them." The Chinese government's official response when asked is always: "We do not know." "We need to pray first," "but we must also appeal to those who are holding them."
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Appeal: Bishops and priests disappeared or in prison, home for the Chinese New Year
by Bernardo CervelleraDuring the Year of the Dragon, AsiaNews asks President Hu Jintao and ambassador Ding Wei for the release of three bishops and six Chinese priests who have disappeared in police custody or are in forced labour camps.

Dossier

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