Pope
Benedict XVI will dedicate his prayer intentions in November to the
tens of thousands worldwide who are prey to substance abuse, so that
“victims of drugs or of other dependence may, thanks to the support of
the Christian community, find in the power of our Saving God strength
for a radical life-change”.
In his 2007 Apostolic voyage to Brazil, Pope
Benedict XVI addressed the scourge of drug and alcohol abuse directly
during his pastoral visit to the “Fazenda da Esperança", a community run
by the Franciscan order and the Focolare movement in the hills outside
Sao Paolo for young people trying to emerge from the devastation of
addiction and rebuild their lives.
He told them “At some stage in
people’s lives, Jesus comes and gently knocks at the hearts of those
properly disposed. Perhaps for you, he did this through a friend or a
priest, or, who knows, perhaps he arranged a series of coincidences
which enabled you to realize that you are loved by God. Through the
institution which has welcomed you, the Lord has given you this
opportunity for physical and spiritual recovery, so vital for you and
your families. In turn, society expects you to spread this precious gift
of health among your friends and all the members of the community”.
“You
must be Ambassadors of hope! Brazil’s statistics concerning drug abuse
and other forms of chemical dependency are very high. The same is true
of Latin America in general. I therefore urge the drug-dealers to
reflect on the grave harm they are inflicting on countless young people
and on adults from every level of society: God will call you to account
for your deeds. Human dignity cannot be trampled upon in this way. The
harm done will receive the same censure that Jesus reserved for those
who gave scandal to the "little ones", the favourites of God (cf. Mt
18:7-10)”.
“Through treatment, which includes medical,
psychological and educational assistance, and through much prayer,
manual work and discipline, many people— especially young people—have
already succeeded in freeing themselves from alcohol and drug
dependency, thereby recovering meaning in their lives. I wish to express
my appreciation for this work, which has the charism of Saint Francis
and the spirituality of the Focolare Movement as its spiritual
foundation. Reintegration in society undoubtedly demonstrates the
effectiveness of your initiative. Yet it is the conversions, the
rediscovery of God and active participation in the life of the Church
which attract even greater attention and which confirm the importance of
your work. It is not enough to care for the body, we must adorn the
soul with the most precious divine gifts acquired through Baptism. Let
us thank God for all those who have set out along the path of renewed
hope, with the help of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the
celebration of the Eucharist. [...]”
SIC: VR/INT'L