Pope Francis will launch the Caritas federation’s first ever global campaign against hunger on 10th December with a recorded video message.
Called “One Human Family, Food for All”, the initiative will unite Caritas organisations around the world with the aim of ending hunger by 2025.
As well as the Holy Father’s message, which will urge institutions and individuals to take action to end global hunger, Caritas will also be holding a global “wave of prayer” at midday Rome time on Dec. 10th to mark the launch of the campaign.
“Hunger is a disaster of global proportions,” Caritas secretary general, Michel Roy, said in a Dec. 4 statement. “Over 842 million people see their health, opportunities and lives slip away and their children suffer for something that shouldn’t even exist.”
“There’s enough food in the world for everyone to live a dignified life and we must join together our efforts to ensure ‘food for all’,” he added. “Together we can do this.”
Caritas said the wave of prayer will involve Caritas organisations and people of good will from all continents. Starting at midday on the Pacific island of Samoa, people are invited to join a spiritual reflection about hunger.
Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, president of Caritas Internationalis, has written to Caritas bishops, encouraging people and nations to, among other things, be more aware about hunger, cut waste, maximise land use for food production, and support women farmers.
After a Rome press conference to launch the campaign on Dec. 10 at the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Rome, the wave of prayer will take place at midday in the church of San Francesco a Ripa in Rome’s Trastevere district.
Caritas says all are welcome to participate in the wave of prayer or follow it on Facebook IAmCaritas or twitter #Food4All.
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On the NET:
Cardinal Maradiaga’s Letter to Bishops
