1978: In the world as we find it today what criteria can we use to see that the rights of all persons are protected? What basis can we offer as the soil in which individual and social rights might grow? Unquestionably that basis is the dignity of the human person . . . Quite similar is the preamble of the [United Nations] Universal Declaration [of Human Rights] itself when it says: “the recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”.
Message of Pope John Paul II to the Secretary General of the Untied Nations, Dr. Kurt Waldheim
1979: In your endeavors to reach a rational and interdependent management of humankind’s common environment and heritage, to eradicate the misery crushing millions of human beings, and to strengthen institutions capable of expressing and increasing the unity of the human family on the regional and world level, humans will discover the captivating appeal of peace, which means reconciliation of human beings with each other and with their natural universe.
Message of His Holiness Pope John Paul II for the Celebration of the Day of Peace
1980: It is not difficult to see that in the modern world the sense of justice has been reawakening on a vast scale; and without doubt this emphasizes that which goes against justice in relationships between individuals, social groups and “classes,” between individual peoples and states, and finally between whole political systems, indeed between what are called “worlds” . . . The Church shares with the people of our time this profound and ardent desire for a life which is just in every aspect, nor does she fail to examine the various aspects of the sort of justice that the life of people and society demands. This is confirmed by the field of Catholic social doctrine, greatly developed in the course of the last century.
Pope John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia, #12
1981: In order to achieve social justice in the various parts of the world, in the various countries, and in the relationships between them, there is a need for ever new movements of solidarity of the workers and with the workers. This solidarity must be present whenever it is called for by the social degrading of the subject of work, by exploitation of the workers, and by the growing areas of poverty and even hunger. The Church is firmly committed to this cause, for she considers it her mission, her service, a proof of her fidelity to Christ, so that she can truly be the “Church of the poor”.
Pope John Paul II, Laborem Exercens, #8
1982: On the occasion of the observance of World Food Day 1982, I wish to express to you my full and wholehearted support of the Food and Agriculture Organization in its unremitting efforts to alleviate hunger and malnutrition. The struggle to remedy these ills, which deeply affect immense numbers of our brothers and sisters, deserves the active solidarity of all nations and all men and women of good will. It is my hope that the attention of the world will once again be directed to the urgency of feeding all the members of the human family.
Pope John Paul II, Message to the Second World Food Day
1983: Consequently, it becomes today all the more necessary and all the more urgent to put forward the values of a total humanism, founded on recognition of the true dignity and of the rights of man, open to cultural solidarity, as well as to social and economic solidarity among persons, groups and nations, in the consciousness that all humanity has the same vocation in common.
Message of the Holy Father for the XVII World Communications Day, #3
1984: The person who is a “neighbor” cannot indifferently pass by the suffering of another: this in the name of fundamental human solidarity, still more in the name of love of neighbor. He must “stop”, “sympathize”, just like the Samaritan of the Gospel parable. The parable in itself expresses a deeply Christian truth, but one that at the same time is very universally human. It is not without reason that, also in ordinary speech, any activity on behalf of the suffering and needy is called “Good Samaritan” work.
Pope John Paul II, Salvifici Doloris, #29
1985: In you, in your young hearts, there is a strong desire for genuine communion between all people, without divisions, conflicts or discrimination. Yes! You young people are bearers of the yearning for communion and widespread solidarity—and certainly you do not want conflict between human beings, one against the other, in any form.
Apostolic Letter Delecti Amici of Pope John Paul II to the Youth of the World on the Occasion of International Youth Year
1986: It is vital to choose peace and the means to obtain it. Peace, so frail in health, demands constant and intensive care. Along this path, we shall advance with sure and redoubled steps, for there is no doubt that people have and never had so many means for building true peace as today. Humanity has entered an era of increased solidarity and hunger for social justice. This is our chance. It is also our task, which prayer helps us to face.
Address of Pope John Paul II to the Representatives of the Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities and of the World Religions for the World Day of Prayer at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, #8
1987: Solidarity helps us to see the “other”--whether a person, people or nation--not just as some kind of instrument, with a work capacity and physical strength to be exploited at low cost and then discarded when no longer useful, but as our “neighbor,” a “helper” (cf. Gen 2:18-20), to be made a sharer, on a par with ourselves, in the banquet of life to which all are equally invited by God.
Pope John Paul II, Sollicitudo rei Socialis, #39
1988: The manner and means for achieving a public life which has true human development as its goal is solidarity. This concerns the active and responsible participation of all in public life, from individual citizens to various groups, from labor unions to political parties. All of us, each and everyone, are the goal of public life as well as its leading participants. In this environment, as I wrote in the Encyclical Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, solidarity “is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good, that is to say, to the good of all and of each individual because we are all really responsible for all.”
Pope John Paul II, Christifiedeles Laici, #42
1989: Today, there is a rising awareness that the adoption of measures to protect the environment implies a real and necessary solidarity among nations. It is becoming more apparent that an effective solution to the problems raised by the risk of atomic and atmospheric pollution and the deterioration of the general conditions of nature and human life can be provided only on the world level. This in turn entails a recognition of the increasing interdependence which characterizes our age. Indeed, it is increasingly evident that development policies demand a genuine international cooperation, carried out in accord with decisions made jointly and within the context of a universal vision, one which considers the good of the human family in both the present generation and in those to come.
Address of John Paul II to the XXV Session of the Conference of FAO
1990: People sense that they are, as it were, traveling together across life’s sea, and that they are called to ever-greater unity and solidarity. Solutions to pressing problems must be studied, discussed and worked out with the involvement of all. That is why international organizations and meetings are proving increasingly important in many sectors of human life, from culture to politics, from the economy to research.
Pope John Paul II, Redemptoris missio, #37
1991: It is necessary to break down the barriers and monopolies, which leave so many countries on the margins of development, and to provide all individuals and nations with the basic conditions, which will enable them to share in development. This goal calls for programmed and responsible efforts on the part of the entire international community.
Pope John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, #35
1992: Properly used, the communications media--in the New World and in the Old--can be powerful instruments of justice and peace. They can be employed to promote respect for the human rights of all persons--rich and poor, young and old, sick and healthy, powerful and powerless--and to remind individuals of their responsibilities to God and neighbor.
Address of Pope John Paul II to the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Commission for Social Communications
1993: This means that it is necessary to modify the list of priorities in the struggle against hunger and malnutrition at both the national and international levels. In fact, while food self-sufficiency remains a valid objective in the development of a given country, the adequate distribution of goods assumes greater importance, so that they will be effectively available, especially to the very poor. The adoption of criteria of solidarity and of sharing requires a proportionately stronger and disinterested readiness on the part of the richest countries and the major producers.
Address of Pope John Paul II to the XXVII Conference of the FAO
1994: It is therefore necessary to inspire in all the faithful a true longing for holiness, a deep desire for conversion and personal renewal in a context of ever more intense prayer and of solidarity with one’s neighbor, especially the most needy.
Pope John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente ,#42
1995: The United Nations Organization needs to rise more and more above the cold status of an administrative institution and to become a moral centre where all the nations of the world feel at home and develop a shared awareness of being, as it were, a “family of nations”. The idea of “family” immediately evokes something more than simple functional relations or a mere convergence of interests. The family is by nature a community based on mutual trust, mutual support and sincere respect. In an authentic family the strong do not dominate; instead, the weaker members, because of their very weakness, are all the more welcomed and served. Raised to the level of the “family of nations”, these sentiments ought to be, even before law itself, the very fabric of relations between peoples.
Address of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Fiftieth General Assembly of the United Nations Organization
1996: Each people must be ready to accept the identity of its neighbor: this is the exact opposite of the despotic nationalistic ideologies which have torn apart Europe and Africa, and continue to do so! Each nation must be prepared to share its human, spiritual and material resources in order to help those whose needs are greater than the needs of its own members
Address of Pope John Paul II to the Diplomatic Corps, 1996
1997: Building a true and lasting peace is a great task entrusted to everyone. Certainly, much depends on those who have public responsibilities. But the future of peace, while largely entrusted to institutional formulations, which have to be effectively drawn up by means of sincere dialogue and in respect for justice, depend no less decisively on a renewed solidarity of minds and hearts.
Address of the Holy Father to the Political Leaders of Bosnia-Hercegovina
1998: For a more equitable society and a more stable peace in a world on the way to globalization, it is an urgent task of the International Organizations to help promote a sense of responsibility for the common good. But to achieve this we must never lose sight of the human person, who must be at the centre of every social project . . . This is the path for building a world community based on “mutual trust, mutual support and sincere respect.” The challenge, in short, is to ensure a globalization in solidarity, a globalization without marginalization. This is a clear duty in justice, with serious moral implications in the organization of the economic, social, cultural and political life of nations.
Message of His Holiness Pope John Paul II for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace
1999: Among these values, conversion of minds and effective solidarity between the various human groups stand out as essential elements for contemporary social life at the national and international level. International life requires a basis of common moral values and common rules of collaboration. Certainly, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, whose 50th anniversary we celebrated last year, and other documents of universal value offer important elements in the search for this moral foundation, common to all countries, or at least to a great many of them.
Address of Pope John Paul to the Diplomatic Corp
2000: The need for a cultural “re-foundation” is therefore obvious. It must aim at a culture, which will assure the centrality of the person, his inalienable rights and the sacredness of life. It is necessary to foster a culture of acceptance, respect and sharing, while remembering that “man can fully discover his true self only in a sincere giving of himself” (Gaudium et spes, n. 24), by committing his own freedom to the common good, beyond individual or group interests and far from the search for profit at all cost.
Address of Pope John Paul II to the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
2001: Their determination is based on the recognition of the fact that every human being enjoys the inviolable right to a proper diet, and that it is consequently the duty of all men and women, especially those in responsible positions, to ensure that this right is respected. We should not only apply this principle to individuals but also to nations. When people can no longer satisfy their basic needs because of war, poverty, bad government or mismanagement, or even on account of natural disasters, others have the moral duty to intervene to help them.
Address of Pope John Paul II to the XXXI Conference of the FAO
2002: The goal of solidarity must be the advancement of a more human world for all – a world in which every individual will be able to participate in a positive and fruitful way, and in which the wealth of some will no longer be an obstacle to the development of others, but a help.
Address of Pope John Paul II to the Mayors participating in the First Globalization Conference
2003: A “universal” vision of the common good demands this: we need to broaden our gaze to embrace the needs of the entire human family. The phenomenon of globalization itself calls for openness and sharing, if it is not to be a source of exclusion and marginalization, but rather a basis for solidarity and the sharing of all in the production and exchange of goods.
Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia in Europa, #101
2004: This year’s theme - “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” (Mt 18:5) - invites us to reflect on the condition of children… There are young people who have been profoundly hurt by the violence of adults: sexual abuse, forced prostitution, involvement in the sale and use of drugs; children forced to work or enlisted for combat; young children scarred forever by the breakup of the family; little ones caught up in the obscene trafficking of organs and persons. What too of the tragedy of AIDS and its devastating consequences in Africa? It is said that millions of persons are now afflicted by this scourge, many of whom were infected from birth. Humanity cannot close its eyes in the face of so appalling a tragedy!
Pope John Paul II, Lenten Message 2004, #1, 3
2005: “Based on the certainty that evil will not prevail, Christians nourish an invincible hope which sustains their efforts to promote justice and peace. Despite the personal and social sins which mark all human activity, hope constantly gives new impulse to the commitment to justice and peace, as well as firm confidence in the possibility of building a better world. Christians, especially the lay faithful, ‘should not, then, hide their hope in the depth of their hearts, but rather express it through the structures of their secular lives in continual conversion. No man or woman of good will can renounce the struggle to overcome evil with good. This fight can be fought effectively only with the weapons of love. When good overcomes evil, love prevails and where love prevails, there peace prevails: . . . ‘the fundamental law of human perfection, and consequently of the transformation of the world, is the new commandment of love.’”
Pope John Paul II, World Day of Peace Message, 2005
(From Xaverian News)