Pope Calls On
Guatemala To Protect The Vulnerable
GUATEMALA - (CNA).- The Pope accepted the
credentials of the new ambassador to the
Holy See from Guatemala, Mr. Alfonso Roberto
Matta Fahsen, on Saturday morning. In his
message to the diplomat, the Pope addressed
the importance of protecting the vulnerable
in the country and reinforcing their strong
values.
Pope Benedict referred to the centuries-long
history of the Gospel in the country of
Guatemala, throughout which the people have
demonstrated a "very rooted faith in God,"
devotion for the Virgin and a "faithful
love" for the Church and the Successor of
Peter.
As he addressed the current environment of
faith and life in the country, the Pope
expressed his "affection and spiritual
closeness" for those in Guatemala who suffer
from malnutrition and poverty due to
"climactic phenomena" that make drought more
intense and destroy crops.
He recognized those institutions and
individuals who dedicate themselves to
alleviating the difficulties of those in
need and expressed his gratitude to those
who "are doing everything possible to
mitigate the scarcity in broad sectors of
the population," especially the "beloved
children of the Church of Guatemala,"
including priests, religious and lay
faithful.
Pope Benedict stressed the "basic right" of
every person to adequate nutrition and
vocalized the importance of providing more
than material and administrative assistance.
Working towards this goal requires "men and
women with feelings of compassion and
solidarity," which should be combined with
charity.
"Working in this direction is promoting and
dignifying the life of all, especially that
of the most vulnerable and unprotected,"
Benedict XVI added, citing the effects of
malnutrition on the mental and physical
states of children.
The Holy Father encouraged Guatemelans to
fight those things that "deteriorate the
Guatemalan social fabric" including drug
trafficking, violence, illiteracy and loss
of moral references for new generations, by
looking to the "numerous human and
evangelical values" that bless the people of
Guatemela such as love of the family,
respect for elders, a sense of
responsibility and trust in God.
Initiatives that are meant to "protect and
increase this inestimable wealth," he said,
must be creative to reverse the effects of
poverty and "cooperate in the
‘dignification’ of all human beings."
The Holy Father also recognized the need to
constantly work for "democratic
strengthening and political stability” in
the nation, which will in turn advance a
"true, integral development of the person."
He also praised Guatemela for its
Constitution that protects life "from
conception to natural death."
The Pope concluded by offering the "complete
availability" of his collaborators to the
ambassador's mission and prayed for the
intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Ambassador Matta Fahsen has been Guatemala's
lead diplomat to Colombia, Russia, the
Netherlands and Great Britain in the last 20
years and has seven children.
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