AMERICA/PERU - Archbishop of Lima at International Congress “Charity, Reconciliation, and Human Dignity”: “To contribute to a better world, we need to do perform good actions here and now.”

Lima (Agenzia Fides) - “To contribute to a better world, we need to do perform good actions here and now, beginning with myself and with enthusiasm.” This is what Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, Archbishop of Lima, said at the opening of the International Congress on “Charity, Reconciliation, and Human Dignity,” on September 3, in the Auditorium of Saint Ursula College. “It is time to get to work in becoming better people, parents, students, entrepreneurs, content to be children of God reconciled in Christ and Saint Mary.”
Among the consequences of a world that offers a destructive vision of the spiritual dimension of man, the Archbishop said, there is a serious “limitation of the person,” that “encloses himself in his own person, separates himself from others, and becomes and selfish, exclusive, and thus, violent island.
The Cardinal explained that particular responsibility rests upon the mass media, which should “spread information that contributes to educating humanity.” According to Cardinal Cipriani, “there needs to be a serious reflection on the influence of the mass media, so that they may collaborate in a positive manner to the commitment to the humanization of humanity.” For their part, the laity are called to take up “their own responsibility and professional competence to change the world through a coherent life of faith...” he added.
However, in order for this to be accompanied by an authentic “human development,” the privileged place of the family (“fundamental cell of society”) should be “understood and defended.” The family relationship, the Archbishop of Lima said, “does not annihilate the persons that form it, but make it more transparent and more united in their diversity.” This address of the Cardinal was followed by a talk by Luis Fernando Figari, Founder of the “Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana,” who spoke on “The Lord Jesus, Reconciler” and later Bishop Carlos Garcia of Lurin on “Mary, Mother of Reconciliation.” (GT) (Agenzia Fides 7/9/2009)