“The strength of life: a challenge in poverty”. That’s the title of the message that the permanent Council of the Italian Bishops’ Conference has written in view of the 32nd Pro-Life Day which is due to be celebrated on 7 February 2010. “Each life – says the message – is worthy of being lived even in situations of great poverty. A distorted use of material goods and exaggerated consumerism may in fact result in a life bereft of meaning and poor in noble ideals, leading us to ignore the needs of millions of men and women and irreparably damage the earth, of which we are custodians and not masters.
Besides, all of us know people who are poor in material resources, but rich in humanity and able to enjoy life, because capable of generosity and self-giving”. The bishops’ message (Agensir.it – documents) adds that “the economic crisis we are going through can be an occasion for growth. For it prompts us to rediscover the beauty of sharing and the ability to show our care for others. It enables us to understand that it’s not economic richness that constitutes the dignity of life, because life itself is the first and most fundamental richness of all.