WYD: Pope, liberalization cannot defeat drug abuse, only help and hope
Rio de Janeiro (AsiaNews) - The fight against drugs can not be won by their liberalization, but "an act of courage" by the whole of society," to "to confront the problems underlying the use of these drugs, by promoting greater justice, educating young people in the values that build up life in society, accompanying those in difficulty and giving them hope for the future". The visit São Francisco de Assis de Deus na Providência hospital in Rio de Janeiro was decided by Pope Francis, who included it in the program of his journey for the 28th World Youth Day, a testimony of that going "to the margins "of the world and human existence that appears central in his papal teaching.
The hospital that bears the name of St. Francis, the same chosen by the Pope, specializes in rehabilitation from drug and alcohol abuse as well as providing free medical and surgical assistance to those in need.
The Pope, who arrived shortly before 18:30 local, was welcomed by the rain which has become the constant companion of this visit, but tonight it was joined by sleet an unusual phenomenon for these climes. But neither can dampen the spirits and joy of the patients and their families, several thousand people among whom Francis spent a lot of time shaking hands and embracing those who can not get up.
To those present, but clearly not only to them, the Pope spoke of courage and hope, but also had harsh words for the "dealers of death".
He never uses the term drugs, but instead says, "chemical dependency." This is also a sign of respect. As the man who greets him tells of his 17 years of drug addiction and 10 working in the hospital and how, moved to tears, he recalls the isolation of the addict, the thoughts of suicide and then his birth to a new life".
"Today - he says - n this place where people struggle with drug addiction, I wish to embrace each and every one of you, who are the flesh of Christ, and to ask God to renew your journey, and also mine, with purpose and steadfast hope.".
" To
embrace - we all have to learn to embrace the one in need, as Saint Francis
did. There are so many situations in Brazil, and throughout the world, that
require attention, care and love, like the fight against chemical dependency. Often,
instead, it is selfishness that prevails in our society. How many "dealers of
death" there are that follow the logic of power and money at any cost! The
scourge of drug-trafficking, that favours violence and sows the seeds of
suffering and death, requires of society as a whole an act of courage. A
reduction in the spread and influence of drug addiction will not be achieved by
a liberalization of drug use, as is currently being proposed in various parts
of Latin America. Rather, it is necessary to confront the problems underlying
the use of these drugs, by promoting greater justice, educating young people in
the values that build up life in society, accompanying those in difficulty and
giving them hope for the future. We all need to look upon one another with the
loving eyes of Christ, and to learn to embrace those in need, in order to show
our closeness, affection and love".
"To
embrace someone is not enough, however. We must hold the hand of the one in
need, of the one who has fallen into the darkness of dependency perhaps without
even knowing how, and we must say to him or her: You can get up, you can stand
up. It is difficult, but it is possible if you want to. Dear friends, I wish to
say to each of you, but especially to all those others who have not had the
courage to embark on our journey: You have to want to stand up; this is the
indispensible condition! You will find an outstretched hand ready to help you,
but no one is able to stand up in your place. But you are never alone! The
Church and so many people are close to you. Look ahead with confidence. Yours
is a long and difficult journey, but look ahead, there is "a sure future, set
against a different horizon with regard to the illusory enticements of the
idols of this world, yet granting new momentum and strength to our daily lives"
(Lumen Fidei, 57). To all of you, I repeat: Do not let yourselves be robbed of
hope! And not only that, but I say to us all: let us not rob others of hope,
let us become bearers of hope!"
"And
- he concluded - I wish to repeat to all of you who struggle against
drug addiction, and to those family members who share in your difficulties: the
Church is not distant from your troubles, but accompanies you with affection. The
Lord is near you and he takes you by the hand. Look to him in your most
difficult moments and he will give you consolation and hope. And trust in the
maternal love of his Mother Mary. This morning, in the Shrine of Aparecida, I
entrusted each of you to her heart. Where there is a cross to carry, she, our
Mother, is always there with us. I leave you in her hands, while with great
affection I bless all of you." (FP)
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