LOURDES, France, SEPT. 11, 2007 (Zenit.org).- In a world that exalts physical perfection, the Church must proclaim its preferential option for the weak and marginalized, says the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
Cardinal Renato Martino said this today during the inauguration of the 5th Congress of European Pilgrimages and Sanctuaries, taking place through Thursday as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations in Lourdes.
The cardinal called Europe the "common house where people and ideas circulate."
"This continuous meeting," he added, "is a sign of the times that the Church must interpret," while encouraging fraternity and solidarity. Like the patron saints of Europe, the cardinal said, "we must be educators and providers of spirituality."
The 74-year-old cardinal affirmed: "Our task consists in continuing to invite Christians and people of good will to break away from daily routine and start their journey." He said that "we must help pilgrims to find proper meditation," and called pilgrimages a journey of reconciliation.
"It is important," he explained, "that each one of us not only accept the great diversity of cultures and expressions of faith, but we must live in communion. Pilgrimage is also a place of mercy.
"In a world that places sickness and weakness on the outskirts of society, in order to exalt beauty and physical perfection, you directors of pilgrimage and rectors of sanctuaries offer a witness to the fact that the Church goes out to meet the forgotten and marginalized.
"You must remember that the heart of God is mercy, which is reflected in man created in the image of God."
ZE07091136 - 2007-09-11