Dear brothers and sisters, dear friends in Christ,

Thank you for your welcome!

I am happy to greet and bless those groups which the [Catholic] Campaign for Human Development has assisted and whose representatives are here today.

This Campaign has been a witness to the Church's living presence in the world among the most needy, and to her commitment to continuing the mission of Christ, who was sent "to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives,...and release to the prisoners" (Luke 4:18-19).

I commend the bishops of the United States for their wisdom and compassion in establishing the [Catholic] Campaign for Human Development ten years ago; and I thank the whole Catholic community for the generous support given to this initiative during all these years.

Nearly fifteen hundred groups and organizations, I have been told, have received Campaign funding. The efforts aimed at establishing self-help projects deserve praise and encouragement, for in this way an effective contribution is made to removing the causes and not merely the evil effects of injustice. The projects assisted by the Campaign have helped to create a more human and just social order, and they enable many people to achieve an increased measure of rightful self-reliance. They remain in the life of the Church a witness to the love and concern of our Lord Jesus Christ.

May God give you strength, courage and wisdom to continue to work for justice. God bless you all.

Email us at cchdpromo@usccb.org
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