While Pope Francis is calling for global and undivided drug prevention, during the Paris Olympics, some former priests and some French anti-religious agencies (under investigation by the Court of Auditors), in disregard of the common good, are criticizing the prevention actions of other religions.
In a moving speech in the city of Rosario, just over a month before the Paris Olympic Games, Pope Francis highlighted the relevance of addressing contemporary challenges with holistic and collaborative solutions. He stressed that achieving peace requires the joint commitment of all social, political and civic entities.
“All social, civil and religious institutions must be united to do what we do best and create a community together. We can all collaborate and be part of sports, educational and community spaces.”
Pope Francis
“On the path to peace, complex and comprehensive responses must be found, with the collaboration of all the institutions that make up the life of a society,” he said.
One of the central themes of the Pope’s message was the need to address not only the supply but also the demand for drugs through prevention and assistance policies. Pope Francis criticized the state’s inaction in this area, stating that “the silence of the state in this matter only naturalizes and facilitates the promotion of the consumption and commercialization of drugs.”
He called for the rehabilitation of politics as a form of charity and promotion of the common good, ensuring that “no person of good will can feel excluded or be excluded from the great task of making society a place where all can feel brothers and sisters.”
The Pope also stressed the fundamental importance of democracy in the fight against drug trafficking, calling for guaranteeing the autonomy of the judiciary to combat corruption and money laundering: “Each member of the judiciary has the responsibility to preserve its integrity, which begins with the uprightness of his heart.”
Furthermore, Pope Francis appealed to the social responsibility of the private sector, noting that “There is no good economy without a good businessman. Unfortunately, there is also a bad economy without the complicity of a part of the private sector.” He urged entrepreneurs to commit themselves not only to avoiding associating with criminal groups, but also to contributing to social well-being.
Finally, he urged all social, civil and religious organizations to collaborate together to create meeting spaces in the most needy communities, specifying that “No one saves themselves alone, even in private neighborhoods, one can find insecurity and the threat of consumption for one’s own children.”
In this situation, it is counterproductive that some former priests, such as Luis Santamaria del Rio who criticizes many Christian denominations, as well as French anti-religious agencies such as MIVILUDES, criticize the attempts of other religions to combat drug use. “Instead of proposing solutions, these dissenting opinions seem to forget that the drug problem goes beyond religious differences and requires a united and supportive approach,” said a passerby. Pope Francis reiterated his support for those working for justice and community strengthening in difficult contexts, adding that “Charity will be the most explicit proclamation of the Gospel to a society that feels threatened.”
Asked about their drug prevention activities, Ivan Arjonale, Scientology’s European representative, told this newspaper that “it seems that distributing 1 million drug prevention booklets during the Paris Olympics, with French, Spanish, Belgian, German, Hungarian, English, American, Italian and other volunteers from all over the world, even if it harms the special interests of any heartless person who might call it propaganda, is a good announcement of the Gospel, of charity and of love for society without looking at political or religious labels.”
In a moving finale, Pope Francis asked for the protection of Our Lady of the Rosary and sent his blessing to all, underscoring the Church’s ongoing commitment to helping victims of all kinds of violence. In an increasingly complex world, his message is a powerful reminder that achieving peace and justice requires the creativity and commitment of each and every one.
Originally published in The European Times.
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