This morning, the Holy See Press Centre published the text of Message which His Holiness, Pope Francis has sent to the International Conference, organized by the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, in collaboration with the Embassies of France, Italy, Monaco and the United States of America accredited to the Holy See. The theme of this Conference is The management of the common good: access to potable water for everyone. It is taking place today in Rome at the Pontifical Urban University.
Your Eminence,
Father Rector,
Brothers and sisters!
I congratulate you on the organization of the Conference entitled The management of the common good: access to potable water for everyone.
Water is fundamental for life. In many places throughout the world, our brothers and sisters cannot lead dignified lives because of the lack of access to clean water. The dramatic statistics of thirst, especially the situation of those people who get sick and often die because of unhealthy water, is a huge shame for the humanity of the 21st century.
Unfortunately, in many of the countries where people do not have regular access to drinking water, there is no lack of weapons and ammunition which continue to deteriorate the situation! Corruption and the interests of an economy that excludes and kills, all too often prevail over the efforts that should guarantee access to water. The statistics of thirst require will and determination, and all institutional, organizational, educational, technological and financial efforts can not afford to fail.
I have already proposed some considerations on this topic in the Encyclical Laudato si' and in the recent Message on the occasion of the Day of Prayer for the Protection of Creation. I hope that those who intervene and participate in this Conference can share the urgency, the will and the necessary determination in their professional and political fields. The Holy See and the Church are committed to access to drinking water for everyone. This commitment manifests itself in many initiatives such as the creation of infrastructures, training, advocacy and assistance to endangered populations whose water supply is compromised, including migrants and references to ethics and principles derived from the Gospel and from a healthy anthropology.
An adequate anthropology is, in fact, indispensable for responsible and unified lifestyles, for a true ecology (see LS, 118; 122), and for the recognition of access to drinking water as a right deriving from human dignity. It is therefore incompatible with the concept of water as any commodity. The principles and values of the Gospel must lead to the concrete commitment of each person to the achievement of the common good of the entire human family (cf Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 179-183). From the point of view of faith, in every thirsty man we perceive the same image of God, as we read in Matthew's gospel: I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink (Mt 25,42). This Conference opportunely involves exponents of different faiths and cultures; the twofold spiritual and cultural dimension of water must never be neglected, since it is central to shaping the social fabric, cohabitation and community organization.
I invite you to meditate on the symbolism of water in the main religious traditions, exhorting you equally to the contemplation of this resource which, as Saint Francis of Assisi wrote, is multo utile et humile et preziosa et caste (very useful and humble and precious).
I invoke the blessing of the Most High Creator on each one of you, on your families and on your initiatives aimed at better management of water. I wish you all the best for your work and I ask you to please pray for me.
From the Vatican
7 November 2018
Francis
Message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
to the International Conference on potable water
Your Eminence,
Father Rector,
Brothers and sisters!
I congratulate you on the organization of the Conference entitled The management of the common good: access to potable water for everyone.
Water is fundamental for life. In many places throughout the world, our brothers and sisters cannot lead dignified lives because of the lack of access to clean water. The dramatic statistics of thirst, especially the situation of those people who get sick and often die because of unhealthy water, is a huge shame for the humanity of the 21st century.
Unfortunately, in many of the countries where people do not have regular access to drinking water, there is no lack of weapons and ammunition which continue to deteriorate the situation! Corruption and the interests of an economy that excludes and kills, all too often prevail over the efforts that should guarantee access to water. The statistics of thirst require will and determination, and all institutional, organizational, educational, technological and financial efforts can not afford to fail.
I have already proposed some considerations on this topic in the Encyclical Laudato si' and in the recent Message on the occasion of the Day of Prayer for the Protection of Creation. I hope that those who intervene and participate in this Conference can share the urgency, the will and the necessary determination in their professional and political fields. The Holy See and the Church are committed to access to drinking water for everyone. This commitment manifests itself in many initiatives such as the creation of infrastructures, training, advocacy and assistance to endangered populations whose water supply is compromised, including migrants and references to ethics and principles derived from the Gospel and from a healthy anthropology.
An adequate anthropology is, in fact, indispensable for responsible and unified lifestyles, for a true ecology (see LS, 118; 122), and for the recognition of access to drinking water as a right deriving from human dignity. It is therefore incompatible with the concept of water as any commodity. The principles and values of the Gospel must lead to the concrete commitment of each person to the achievement of the common good of the entire human family (cf Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 179-183). From the point of view of faith, in every thirsty man we perceive the same image of God, as we read in Matthew's gospel: I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink (Mt 25,42). This Conference opportunely involves exponents of different faiths and cultures; the twofold spiritual and cultural dimension of water must never be neglected, since it is central to shaping the social fabric, cohabitation and community organization.
I invite you to meditate on the symbolism of water in the main religious traditions, exhorting you equally to the contemplation of this resource which, as Saint Francis of Assisi wrote, is multo utile et humile et preziosa et caste (very useful and humble and precious).
I invoke the blessing of the Most High Creator on each one of you, on your families and on your initiatives aimed at better management of water. I wish you all the best for your work and I ask you to please pray for me.
From the Vatican
7 November 2018
Francis
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