The Holy Father has sent a message to the President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, His Eminence, Peter Kodwo Appiah Cardinal Turkson, on the occasion of the opening of the Meeting A Day of Reflection - United to God, we hear a cry, organized and promoted by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and involving representatives of communities affected by mining activity in countries throughout Africa, Asia and America, taking place in Rome, at the Salesianum, from July 17 to 19, 2015.
To our venerated brother
Cardinal Peter Dodwo Appiah Turkson
President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
Your Eminence,
I am pleased to send my greetings and my encouragement to those participating in the meeting of representatives from communities interested in mining activities, organized by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in collaboration with the Latin American network Iglesias y Minería on the theme: United to God, we hear a cry.
They come from different situations and in various ways, have experienced the repercussions of mining activity, either on the part of large industrial companies, artisans or informal workers. They wanted to gather in Rome for this day of reflection which is linked to a passage from the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (cf EG, 187-190), to echo the cry of the many people, families and communities who suffer either directly or indirectly from the consequences, too often negative, of mining activities. A cry for land which has been lost; a cry for the extraction of wealth from the ground while paradoxically the local populations remain poor; a cry of pain in reaction to violence, threats and corruption; a cry of outrage and support for human rights violations, discretely or blatantly trampled regard for people's health, working conditions, sometimes slavery and human trafficking which lead to the tragic situations of prostitution; a cry of sadness and of powerlessness regarding the pollution of water, air and soil; a cry of misunderstanding regarding the lack of adequate and inclusive processes and support from civil, local and national authorities, which have the fundamental duty to promote the common good.
The minerals, and more generally, the riches located in the soil and under the soil are a precious gift from God, which humanity has been using for thousands of years (cf Job 28:1-10). In fact, minerals are fundamental to many sectors of life and of human activity. In the Encyclical Laudato si' I wanted to issue an urgent appeal for all people to collaborate in taking care of our common home, in contrast to the dramatic consequences of environmental degradation in the lives of the poor and those who are excluded, and working toward an integrated, inclusive and sustainable development (LS, 13). The entire mining sector is undoubtedly called upon to undertake a radical change of paradigm in order to improve the situations in many countries. Contributions to these efforts can be made by governments in the countries of origin of multinational companies and the countries in which they operate, entrepreneurs and investors, local authorities who oversee the conduct of mining operations, workers and their representatives, international supply chains including various intermediaries and those who work in the markets for these materials and consumers of goods which require the consumption of minerals. All these people are called to adopt a behaviour inspired by the fact that we are all one human family, that everyone is related, and that the authentic care of our own lives and of our relationship with nature is inseparable from fraternity, justice and loyalty in our relationships with others (LS, 70).
I encourage all those taking part in this meeting to reflect on how they can work constructively together with other parties involved, in a sincere and respectful dialogue. I hope that this gathering will contribute to greater awareness and responsibility on these matters: it is in beginning with human dignity that the culture required to face the current crisis will be made possible.
I pray that the Lord will make your work during these days rich in fruitfulness, and that this fruit will be shared with all those who have need of it. I ask you please to pray for me and with affection, I bless you all, as well as the communities you belong to and the members of your families.
From the Vatican
17 July 2015
Francis
Message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the opening of the meeting
A Day of Reflection - United to God, we hear a cry
To our venerated brother
Cardinal Peter Dodwo Appiah Turkson
President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
Your Eminence,
I am pleased to send my greetings and my encouragement to those participating in the meeting of representatives from communities interested in mining activities, organized by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in collaboration with the Latin American network Iglesias y Minería on the theme: United to God, we hear a cry.
They come from different situations and in various ways, have experienced the repercussions of mining activity, either on the part of large industrial companies, artisans or informal workers. They wanted to gather in Rome for this day of reflection which is linked to a passage from the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (cf EG, 187-190), to echo the cry of the many people, families and communities who suffer either directly or indirectly from the consequences, too often negative, of mining activities. A cry for land which has been lost; a cry for the extraction of wealth from the ground while paradoxically the local populations remain poor; a cry of pain in reaction to violence, threats and corruption; a cry of outrage and support for human rights violations, discretely or blatantly trampled regard for people's health, working conditions, sometimes slavery and human trafficking which lead to the tragic situations of prostitution; a cry of sadness and of powerlessness regarding the pollution of water, air and soil; a cry of misunderstanding regarding the lack of adequate and inclusive processes and support from civil, local and national authorities, which have the fundamental duty to promote the common good.
The minerals, and more generally, the riches located in the soil and under the soil are a precious gift from God, which humanity has been using for thousands of years (cf Job 28:1-10). In fact, minerals are fundamental to many sectors of life and of human activity. In the Encyclical Laudato si' I wanted to issue an urgent appeal for all people to collaborate in taking care of our common home, in contrast to the dramatic consequences of environmental degradation in the lives of the poor and those who are excluded, and working toward an integrated, inclusive and sustainable development (LS, 13). The entire mining sector is undoubtedly called upon to undertake a radical change of paradigm in order to improve the situations in many countries. Contributions to these efforts can be made by governments in the countries of origin of multinational companies and the countries in which they operate, entrepreneurs and investors, local authorities who oversee the conduct of mining operations, workers and their representatives, international supply chains including various intermediaries and those who work in the markets for these materials and consumers of goods which require the consumption of minerals. All these people are called to adopt a behaviour inspired by the fact that we are all one human family, that everyone is related, and that the authentic care of our own lives and of our relationship with nature is inseparable from fraternity, justice and loyalty in our relationships with others (LS, 70).
I encourage all those taking part in this meeting to reflect on how they can work constructively together with other parties involved, in a sincere and respectful dialogue. I hope that this gathering will contribute to greater awareness and responsibility on these matters: it is in beginning with human dignity that the culture required to face the current crisis will be made possible.
I pray that the Lord will make your work during these days rich in fruitfulness, and that this fruit will be shared with all those who have need of it. I ask you please to pray for me and with affection, I bless you all, as well as the communities you belong to and the members of your families.
From the Vatican
17 July 2015
Francis
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