VATICAN CITY (EWTN News/CNA)—Pope Benedict XVI has called attention to the problem of unemployment as a threat to the dignity of individuals and families, in a message to the bishops’ conference of Ecuador.
“Through work man comes to see himself as a participant in God’s plan of creation,” the Pope wrote in his letter to Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference president Archbishop Antonio Yarza.
“This is why unemployment or precarious work undermine man’s dignity, creating not just situations of injustice and poverty which frequently degenerate into desperation, criminality and violence, but also crises of identity.”
Pope Benedict’s message, released Nov. 10, addressed the South American bishops assembled for the second Ecuadorian National Family Congress meeting from Nov. 9-12.
But the warning about unemployment will likely resonate with many countries struggling economically or facing new crises.
October figures from the U.S. Department of Labor showed a jobless rate of 9%. In its most recent report, the European Commission found that unemployment in the European Union had risen slightly to 9.7%.
The Pope stated that “serious, effective and judicious measures” must be “taken on all sides … to ensure that everyone has access to dignified, stable and well-paid employment.”
Through such work, those now unemployed “may seek sanctity and participate actively in the development of society, combining intense and responsible labor with adequate time for a rich, fruitful and harmonious family life.”
Pope Benedict noted that work makes a difference for families, as well as individuals, in every area of life.
“Work and rest are particularly associated with the life of families,” he observed. “They affect the choices families make, influence relations between spouses and among parents and children, and affect the ties of families with society and with the Church.”
The Pope noted that workers need rest, not only for their own sake but for their families, friends and God. He highlighted the importance of Sunday as a time both for rest and for worship.
Resting from work, Pope Benedict said, “makes our time more human, opening it to the encounter with God, with others and with nature.”
“For this reason, families need to rediscover the genuine significance of rest, and especially of Sunday, the day of God and man.”
On this day, he said, “families experience the real presence of the risen Lord in the here and now; they receive new life, welcome the gift of the Spirit, increase their love for the Church, listen to the Divine word, share the Eucharistic bread and open to fraternal love.”
Edward Pentin: Pope Condemns Exploitation of Labor, Lack of Work
Benjamin Wiker: Benedict XVI: Doctor of the Church
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I am among the unemployed, benefits end this week, will try for extension.
I live alone so it is absolutely vital I gain employment eventually.
Admittedly, it was nice for a while, but it gets boring and depressing after the first six months.
Maybe there will never be enough work from here on out. The world has changed very much and has grown in the last 40years. America may never capture the strength it once monopolized in the work force. I believe that much of our problems of today are attributed to the fact that we opened up Sunday as just another day to make money. We lost our connect with God and family for the almighty dollar. Maybe, it would be fitting that we slowly halt the opening of stores and other money making industries and leave Sunday as it should be. To God and family. There is no DOUBT in my mind that God would bless this great nation if we just re dedicate ourselves back to Him. I have confidence that future generations will recognize that God gave us Sunday’s for rest and more importantly to give back to God that which he demanded in the third commandment. I suppose my favoritism for this is because, when I grew up, Sunday was a special day for all of us to share as family and attending Holy Mass.
Our Holy Father has been calling us to worship on Sunday & I’m praying that he will force our American “catholic” church to do the same; along with making the Holy days Holy once again; putting the tabernacle back in the center of the church (as our Blessed Pope John Paul TOLD the bishops to do); restore the altar rails; altar boys only; “nuns” wearing their habits (another order by our beloved Pope) & teaching us NOT to work or shop on Sundays as this is a big offence against God; and while they are doing all this, they can start to excommunicate “catholics” that support evil such as: birth control, “sex education”, abortion & the homosexual agenda for starters. In other words: BECOME CATHOLIC ONCE AGAIN! +JMJ+
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