Fraternity, Justice, and work for a society in peace asks the Pope
 
 Fraternity, Justice, and work for a society in peace asks the Pope
 Upon receiving the new Ambassador of Benin to the Holy See
 
 VATICAN CITY, Friday, May 28, 2010 (ZENIT.org) .- The Pope highlighted the need for fraternity, justice and work to achieve "a society built on justice and peace, in recognition of the rights of all the components of the nation ".
 
 He did it this Friday when he received in the Vatican the new ambassador of Benin to the Holy See, Comlanvi Théodore Loko, on the occasion of the presentation of his credentials.

In his speech, Benedict XVI stressed that he asks God to bless the efforts of all those who work in the building of a society built on justice and peace, in the recognition of the rights of all the components of the nation.

And he said that the realization of such an ideal requires fraternal union, love of justice and appreciation of work.

The reference to these three values ​​was made by collecting the currency of Benin, Fraternity, Justice, and Work, which, for the Pope is like a true compendium of the letter of a nation with high human ideals.

Regarding this compendium, he stressed that its accomplishment also contributes to expanding solidarity with other nations and appreciated the solidarity of this African country with Haiti, in the recent earthquake.

Regarding the first of the three values, fraternity, the Pontiff pointed out that it is a primordial condition for social peace and a factor of integral human promotion.

The concrete expression of the equal dignity of all citizens, fraternity is a fundamental principle and a basilar virtue to realize a truly flourishing society since it allows valuing all human and spiritual potentials, he declared.

And he referred to the second of these values ​​of the Beninese people indicating that fraternity should also lead to the search for justice, whose absence is always a cause of social tensions and leads to numerous dire consequences.

Also about the need for justice, he warned that the pursuit of personal interest to the detriment of the common good is an evil that slowly eats away at public institutions, also slowing down the integral development of the human being.

Benedict XVI said that the political, economic and social actors of a nation are like their vigilant conscience that guarantees transparency in their structures and the ethics that animate the life of the whole society.

They must be fair, "he added. Justice always accompanies fraternity. It is a factor of efficiency and social balance.

Third, he stated that in the development of society, work occupies a place of the first order.

He recalled that work is co-existential to the human condition since the human being is fully realized by his work.

And he assured that the love of work ennobles him and creates a true symbiosis between people, as well as between the human being and the other elements of creation.

Among the values ​​of the Beninese heritage, the Pope also stressed respect for the sacredness of life.

And he pointed out that those values ​​will be a precious help to reaffirm its identity and its vocation.

Previously, the Ambassador of the African country had addressed the Pope a greeting, in which he dedicated some words of remembrance to Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, a native of Benin, who died two years ago.

The Pope referred to the cardinal later as a true bridge-builder between cultures and continents and stressed that his example will stimulate many Beninese, especially the youngest.

His ecclesial ministry, on the other hand, will encourage men and women of the Church to carry out a generous and increasingly competent service for the greater good of their beloved country, which will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its evangelization next year he affirmed.

Benedict XVI noted the importance of Benin having an ambassador to the Holy See residing in Rome.

He considered that this highlights the excellence of the relations that exist between the Republic of Benin and the Holy See and the great consideration that the people of Benin have for the Catholic Church.

The Pope also encouraged the Catholics of Benin to become more and more authentic witnesses of the faith and fraternal love that Christ teaches us.

He highlighted the efforts, especially of the authorities, to consolidate relations of mutual respect and esteem among the religious confessions of his country.

And he assured that religious freedom can only contribute to enriching democracy and favor development.