Benedict XVI once again addresses
responsibility for the environment
VATICAN CITY, 10 SEP 2009 (VIS) - This morning in the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo Benedict XVI received a group of sponsors of the Holy See's Pavilion at "Expo Zaragoza 2008", an international exposition held in the Spanish city of Zaragoza in 2008 on the theme: "Water and sustainable development".
The group included Francisco Vazquez, Spanish ambassador to the Holy See, and Archbishop Manuel Urena, Bishop of Zaragoza.
In his address the Pope noted how the pavilion, which "was one of the most visited and appreciated, contained an important display of the priceless artistic, cultural and religious heritage of the Church. The aim of this initiative was to offer the many visitors an opportunity to reflect upon the significance and primordial importance water has for human life".
"By participating in the exposition", the Holy Father explained, "the Holy See wished to demonstrate not only the urgent need constantly to defend the environment and the natural world, but also to discover its more profound spiritual and religious dimension. ...
"The truth is that when God, through creation, gave man the keys to the earth, He wanted him to use this great gift responsibly and respectfully, making it fruitful. ...
"In this context it is important to reiterate the close relationship between protection of the environment and respect for the ethical requirements of human nature, because 'when human ecology is respected within society, environmental ecology also benefits'".
Pope Benedict XVI concluded his remarks by entrusting the promoters of the Holy See pavilion to Our Lady of the Pillar "at whose feet flow the abundant waters of the River Ebro".
At last year's Expo in Zaragoza, the Vatican sponsored a parallel International Congress on the Ecology held at the Tribune of Water on the Expo grounds, from July 10-12. The theme was 'Respect the human being, and respect Nature'.
Upper left photo shows the Expo mascots representing drops of water, passing by the Cathedral of Zaragoza, where Our Lady of the Pillars is venerated. Lower left photos show the Bridge Pavilion across the city's Ebro River. The ultra-modern Expo site was built on a tongue of land formed by a deep U-bend of the river.
Unfortunately, I cannot find any pictures of the Vatican pavilion.
Here is a translation of the Holy Father's address, which was delivered in Spanish:
Dear Archbishop,
Your Excellency, the Ambassador,
Dear brothers:
I am happy to receive you and welcome each and everyone, along with your families, to this meeting. I sincerely wish that your visit to Rome, at the tombs of the Apostles, may strengthen you in your faith and fill your hearts with joy and peace.
First of all, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for your significant collaboration with the Archdiocese of Zaragoza and the Apostolic Nunciature in Madrid, in the realization of the Holy See's pavilion for the International Exposition in Zaragoza last year.
The pavilion, which was one of the most visited and appreciated, held important examples of the artistic, cultural and religious patrimony kept in custody by the Church.
This initiative offered its numerous visitors a timely reflection on the importance and primodial value of water in the life of mam.
Through its participation in the Exposition, the Holy See also wished to manifest the imperative need nnot only to always protect the environment and nature, but also to discover its more profound spiritual and religious dimension.
Now more than ever, one must help those who see in creation something more than just a simple source of riches or for exploitation at the hands of man.
Indeed, when God, through his creation, gave man the keys to the earth, he expected him to use this great gift by making it fruitful in a respectful and responsible manner.
The human being discovers the intrinsic value of nature if he learns to see it as it is in reality - an expression of a plan of love and truth, that speaks to us of the Creator and his love for mankind, and which will encounter its fullness in Christ at the end of times (cf. Caritas in veritate, 48).
In this sense, it is timely to recall once more the close relation that exists between caring for the world around us and respect for the ethical exigencies of human nature, since respect for human ecology in society also benefits the natural ecology (Ibid. 51).
At the conclusion of our meeting, I wish to express to you once more my appreciation for your generous collaboration, and also to all those persons, institutions and enterprises who participated in this important and laudable project.
On this occasion, I commend you most specially to the intercession of Our Lady of the Pillar (Virgen del Pilar) beneath whose feet flow the waters of the Ebro. With these sincere sentiments, I impart to you all and your families my Apostolic Blessing.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 11/09/2009 07:49]