Cardinal urges public not to forget the world’s poorest
Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, has called on the Irish public to remember that even in a time of recession people in poorer countries continue to need our help, perhaps now more than ever. “We need to have the courage and generosity to address the extreme poverty in developing countries at the same time as addressing the scandal of continuing poverty in our own,” said Cardinal Brady, speaking at a confirmation ceremony at the Holy Redeemer Parish in Dundalk, Co Louth, on March 1.
The Cardinal was formally launching Trócaire’s annual Lenten campaign, which draws attention to those who have been forced to flee their homes because of violence and war. “The child on this year’s Trócaire box is seven-year old Khalid Salat from Somalia,” Cardinal Brady said. “A great human tragedy has unfolded there, possibly the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. He and his family were forced to abandon their home because of terrible violence. Of the 26 million people across the world who have been driven out of their homes in recent years, some 14 million are children.
“Across the world millions are forced to go without food, clean water, shelter, health care and education, many of the things even the least well off in our own country can take for granted. Yet this year the earth will be as fruitful as ever. God will still give us more than we need to feed and look after all the people of the world. If we are to address the tragic imbalance of our world, where the rich get richer while the poor stay poor, we need wisdom to know the difference between what we want and what we need,” he added.
Cardinal Brady said that reckless choices and bad judgement had brought the world economy to a dangerous and uncertain state. “It will take a shared effort by all to put us back on track for a more responsible approach and a more sustainable growth in wealth and well-being,” he commented. “It will take courageous leadership and willingness on everyone’s part to take a fair share of the pain of readjustment. That includes taking account of our global responsibility as well our global opportunities.”
The Cardinal called on the Irish public to support Trócaire’s Lenten campaign. “I call today on every person in Ireland who is in a position to do so to help those facing extreme suffering and deprivation this Lent by supporting Trócaire. Let no-one say that the Irish people have become so concerned with their own troubles that they have lost their generous concern for those in need. The Trócaire box is not just a great Irish tradition for Lent, it is vital gateway to hope for so many in need across the world every day.
“Your generous support is vital. It will help Trócaire provide food, shelter, healthcare, training and education to those most in need. In places like Somalia, it will allow those who have been driven from their homes to return when things are safe and start to earn a living again,” he concluded.
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