Pope Calls for Study, Diffusion of Social Doctrine

VATICAN, Nov. 4, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is underlining the need for more centers to study and diffuse the Church's social doctrine.

The Pope stated this in a message sent to Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice in Peace, on the occasion of that dicastery's plenary assembly. The two-day meeting, which is under way in Rome, ends Friday.

The Pontiff stated, "In order to globalize the social doctrine of the Church, it seems opportune to multiply the centers and institutes that are dedicated to its study, diffusion and realization throughout the world."

He said, "My desire is that the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace continue its work of aid to the ecclesial community and all its components."

"The dicastery must therefore continue this work not only in the elaboration of updating the social doctrine of the Church, but also in its experimentation, with that method of discernment that I indicated in 'Caritas in Veritate,' according to which, living in communion with Jesus Christ and among ourselves, we are 'found' either by the truth of salvation, or by the truth of a world that has not been created by us, but which has been given to us as home to share in fraternity," the Holy Father stated.

He noted, "In the wake of the promulgation of the Compendium and of the encyclical 'Caritas in Veritate,' it is natural that the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace dedicates itself to further reflection on the elements of novelty and, in collaboration with other individuals, to the search for the more adequate ways to convey the contents of the social doctrine."

Benedict XVI encouraged diffusing the doctrine "not only of the Christian traditional formative and educational itineraries of every order and degree, but also of the great centers of formation of world thought -- such as the great organs of secular press, the universities and the numerous centers of economic and social reflection -- which in recent times have developed in every corner of the world."

The Pope affirmed, "It is by living 'charity in truth' that we will be able to offer a more profound look to understand the great social questions and indicate some essential perspectives for their solution in a fully human sense."

"Only with charity sustained by hope and illumined by the light of faith and reason, is it possible to achieve objectives of man's integral liberation and universal justice," he stated.

The Pontiff continued: "The life of communities and of each of the believers -- nourished by assiduous meditation on the Word of God, by regular participation in the sacraments and by communion with wisdom that comes from above -- grows in its capacity of prophecy and renewal of cultures and public institutions.

"The ethos of peoples can thus enjoy a truly solid foundation, which reinforces social consensus and sustains procedural rules."

The Holy Father added, "The commitment to build the city leans on consciences led by the love of God and, because of this, naturally oriented to the objective of a good life, structured on the primacy of transcendence."