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Resources from Pope Benedict XVI
December 10, 2010
In the Pope's message to the the 25th international conference, he warned against a consumerist "attention to health ... [that is] almost a cult of the body," while at the same time millions of people are living at or below subsistence level and without adequate medicines. "Justice is promoted," the pope said, "when one welcomes the life of the other and assumes responsibility for him." In this we are responding to the image of God which is at the root of the dignity of every human being. Further, charity is linked to and "goes beyond justice." And so we are to "give a truly human face to health-care systems." While "reproductive health," destroying embryos, and legalizing euthanasia are destructive, "the protection of life from conception to its natural end and respect for the dignity of every human being should be upheld and witnessed to, even going against the tide." This requires "a profound conversion of one’s inner orientation ... look[ing] at the world with the Creator’s gaze, which is a loving gaze." Finally, Pope Benedict encouraged those who are suffering to use their situation "as an opportunity of grace to grow spiritually and to participate in Christ’s sufferings for the good of the world." You can read the full statement here.
The Pope composed a prayer for the protection of life and the family at the conclusion of the Prayer Vigil for the Unborn on Nov. 27. Below is the complete prayer translated into English by Vatican Radio:
Lord Jesus, You who faithfully visit and fulfill with your Presence the Church and the history of men; You who in the miraculous Sacrament of your Body and Blood render us participants in divine Life and allow us a foretaste of the joy of eternal Life; We adore and bless you.
Prostrated before You, source and lover of Life, truly present and alive among us, we beg you.
Reawaken in us respect for every unborn life, make us capable of seeing in the fruit of the maternal womb the miraculous work of the Creator, open our hearts to generously welcoming every child that comes into life.
Bless all families, sanctify the union of spouses, render fruitful their love.
Accompany the choices of legislative assemblies with the light of your Spirit, so that peoples and nations may recognize and respect the sacred nature of life, of every human life.
Guide the work of scientists and doctors, so that all progress contributes to the integral well-being of the person, and no one endures suppression or injustice.
Give creative charity to administrators and economists, so they may realize and promote sufficient conditions so that young families can serenely embrace the birth of new children.
Console the married couples who suffer because they are unable to have children and in Your goodness provide for them.
Teach us all to care for orphaned or abandoned children, so they may experience the warmth of your Charity, the consolation of your divine Heart.
Together with Mary, Your Mother, the great believer, in whose womb you took on our human nature, we wait to receive from You, our Only True Good and Savior, the strength to love and serve life, in anticipation of living forever in You, in communion with the Blessed Trinity.
