Oct.-Dec. 2008 

"Humanity is in need of Liberation"

"Humanity needs to be liberated and redeemed. Creation itself - as St Paul says - suffers and nurtures the hope that it will share in the freedom of the children of God (cf. Rm 8: 19-22). These words are true in today’s world too. Creation is suffering. Creation is suffering and waiting for real freedom; it is waiting for a different, better world; it is waiting for “redemption”. And deep down it knows that this new world that is awaited supposes a new humanity; it supposes “children of God”.

These are the words of Pope Benedict XVI in his message for the 82nd World Mission Sunday which was celebrated last October 19. As you read the stories we present in this issue from such far-flung places as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, to Wall Street, you will catch a glimpse of some grave problems and of the need for some radical solution.