Pope Francis sent a video message to a meeting of a group of Argentine judges who are fighting for social justice in accordance with his teachings.
By Robin Gomes
“In your mission as judges, never lose sight of the fact that there is no democracy with hunger, no development with poverty, and even less justice in inequalities. Remember that the first commitment that the state must have is the well-being and happiness of the people, starting with the most basic needs. Pope Francis made this point in a video message during a meeting of the Argentine chapter of the Pan American Committee of Judges for Social Rights and Franciscan Doctrine. He said any plan or theory lacks legitimacy if it leads to greater suffering and greater rejection from people.
The Pan-American Committee of Judges for Social Rights and Franciscan Doctrine, which has its headquarters in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, was created on June 4, 2019 in Vatican City, under the inspiration of Pope Francis. It took place during the first Pan-American Summit of Judges for Social Rights and Franciscan Doctrine, sponsored by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences at the Vatican, on June 3-4 of that year. The Committee draws on the teaching of Pope Francis to promote the economic, social, cultural and environmental rights of the world’s most vulnerable people.
Wealth and power in the hands of the few
In his message sent to the two-day event in Buenos Aires on Thursday, Pope Francis said high levels of poverty are the clearest indicators of the world’s distributive injustice and failures. in the implementation of the most fundamental rights. He lamented that “the periphery is increasing and the center of power and wealth is getting smaller and narrower, that is, most of the money and possibilities are for very little”, while the majority suffer from poverty.
Basic human needs
Moreover, the pandemic has exacerbated those social ills which, the Holy Father said, urgently demand creative and effective responses for the many brothers and sisters who are suffering. The first thing any plan must achieve, he stressed, is attention to people and their basic needs.
In this regard, he recalled the three “Ts” in Spanish to which popular movements aspire, namely “Tierra, Trabajo y Techo, or“ Land, work and housing ”. Any plan or theory that replaces that, the Pope warned, will lead to more suffering and rejection of people.
The Argentine Pope hoped that the judges’ debates will serve to transform the reality of those most in need of justice. While thanking them for their efforts, he urged them to always seek the good of their homeland and of the people.
The meeting of the Argentine Chapter of the Pan American Committee of Judges for Social Rights and Franciscan Doctrine was organized by Judge Roberto Andrés Gall, President of the Committee. The Argentine Archbishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, and Judge Carlos Balbín, Coordinator of the Argentinian Chapter of the Pan American Committee attended, among others.
