This is the question that, at the beginning of Lent, I would like to pose to each member of the faithful and to the whole Church. They implore us, hoping to be heard. If each one of us contributes something, we can all do something for them. Of course this will require sacrifices, which call for a deep inner conversion. Certainly it will involve changing our exaggerated consumerist behaviour, combating hedonism, resisting attitudes of indifference and the tendency to disregard our personal responsibilities.
Hunger is a great tragedy afflicting humanity.
We urgently need to acknowledge this fact and to offer resolute and generous support to the various organizations and movements founded to alleviate the sufferings of those who risk death from starvation, giving special consideration to those people not reached by government or international programs. It is necessary to continue the fight against hunger both in less developed countries and in highly industrialized nations where, unfortunately, there is an ever growing gap separating the rich from the poor. The earth has the resources necessary to feed all humanity. We need to learn to use them intelligently, respecting the environment and the rhythms of nature guaranteeing fairness and justice in business dealings and ensuring a distribution of wealth which takes into account the duty of solidarity. Some might object that this is a grand and unachievable utopia.