Thai Bishops: Church's social doctrine, for development of ASEAN community
Bangkok
(AsiaNews) - In a society a "slave" to capitalism, materialism, the frantic search
for money and success, the values of the Church and a focus on the human being are
essential for a true development of the nation. These
elements are important and urgent, particularly in view of the path taken by
Thailand within ASEAN - an Association that brings together 10 South-East Asian
nations - which by 2015 hopes to reach free trade and movement among member
states. The
close collaboration between the bishops 'conference and individual dioceses is
essential to the success of this goal, particularly in the fields of education,
promoting awareness of the ASEAN Community and support for non-negotiable
values: the dignity of human life and the person, rights and responsibilities
within society.
The
road map endorsed by the ASEAN nations - Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei,
Laos, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia - will be
implemented by 2015, allowing for free trade and movement, with the following
objectives: elimination of the last tariff barriers, the
standardization of customs procedures and criteria of designations of origin
and investment, the liberalization of capital within the area; free movement of
workers, opening-up the service sector, the strengthening of inter-regional
infrastructure.
In
an increasingly stringent and consumerist market, in which rich poor divide is
widening, the social doctrine of the Church becomes a point of reference for enhancement
of the individual and global progress. For
some time the bishops of Thailand
have launched initiatives and meetings devoted to the subject, as was the case
with the last synod of the local Caritas, scheduled for June 19 to 21 at the Camillians
center in Bangkok.
The event was joined Msgr. Philip
Banchong Chaiyara, President of the Thai bishops Commission for Human Development
in the Conference, 13 priests, 46 religious and 72 lay people, who debated the
theme: "Challenges of the Church in human development, towards the
creation of the ASEAN Community ".
Inequality
and exploitation increasingly characterize Asian societies in modern times,
among the countries there are huge economic disparities and the problem of
migrant workers emerges forcefully. This
situation is due to human trafficking and drugs smuggling, spikes in crime,
violations of the rights of individuals.
In
the agricultural sector more and more acres of land are torn from the hands of
farmers, to promote the intensive cultivation in the capitalist mold, with
disastrous consequences for the environment and food production. Added
to these economic disasters there also human and social fractures that lead to
an increase in cases of abortion, teenage pregnancy, violence and abuse in the
family.
For
this reason Catholics must revive the principles of the social doctrine of the
Church, for a development that takes account of economic progress but also the
value and dignity of every person. By
being a Church that is among the poor and marginalized, the faithful with the support
of their pastors will encourage awareness of the ASEAN community and contribute
to its development.
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