Msg Base:  AREA 3  - ASK FATHER (AMDG)
  Msg No: 204.  Thu 12-17-92 22:52  (NO KILL)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Benjamin Willett
 Subject: Planet's Problems

ÚÄ
³ Father--do you see any changes in the Vatican (major or minor) to
³ adjust with the ever-growing problems on the planet, in the future?
ÀÄ[BW=>FM]
 
Dear Benjamin,
 
The Church, like Jesus her Founder, is a sign of contradiction (Luke
2:34).  The world (or the planet, if you prefer), according to
Chesterton, does not need a Church that is right when the world is
right; it needs a Church that is right when the world is wrong.
 
"Catholic World Report" for June, 1992 reported on last summer's
"Earth Summit" in Rio in these words: "Many environmentalists see
population growth as the major threat to the planet's survival....
During (Rio) preparations, the Holy See's delegation, as well as
delegations from much of the undeveloped world insisted that
reduction in consumption patterns are equally important.... 25% of
the world's population (in industrialized countries) consumes 70% of
the world's resources.... `the South fears that calls for population
control and other ecological limitations will prejudice rapid growth
and compromise the identity and sovereignty of individual countries'
(Vatican Radio).  Holy See spokesmen in Rome insist that emphasis
should be placed on reducing poverty rather than limiting population.
Poverty exerts pressures on parents to have many children as an
insurance policy for present economic help and future security.
Modern history suggests that population growth rates decline as
poverty is overcome and prosperity increases."
 
There will be no changes in doctrine or morals in our Church.  The
Holy Spirit protects us from those.  Policies and practices are of
human invention and so are subject to change.
 
Your questions are very welcome.  ASK FATHER is strictly a
question-answer information area, not a discussion or personal
opinion conference.  Please make your questions to ASK FATHER
specific requests for information about Catholicism and use our other
conferences for general discussion.  Thank you.
 
                                        Sincerely in Christ,
                                                Father Mateo
 
 
.ORIGIN: 043/001 - THE ANGELUS,      -the Word became flesh                     
                                and made his dwelling among us -                
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