John Paul II says the great danger posed by the
"civilization of consumption" is the so-called idolatry of the
market.
In contrast, the Pope advocates a "civilization of love," which
requires "the recognition of the spiritual nature of the human
person" and "the appreciation of the moral character of
development."
The Holy Father offered his views on Monday when he received Pavel Jajtner, 55,
the new ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Vatican. Jajtner was once vice
president of the National Assembly of what was then Czechoslovakia.
In his address, John Paul II began by referring to the political liberty
enjoyed by the Czechs since their independence from Slovakia in 1993, and after
years of enduring the Communist yoke.
"History teaches us that the journey from oppression to liberty is
arduous, often marked by the lure of false forms of freedom and hollow promises
of hope," the Pope said.
"While economic development and the accompanying social transformation
have benefited many in your country, the weaker members of society,
particularly the poor, the marginalized, and the sick and elderly, must be
protected," he stressed.
"Authentic development can never be attained solely through economic
means," the Holy Father warned. "In fact, what has become known as
the 'idolatry of the market' -- a consequence of the so-called civilization of
consumption -- tends to reduce persons to things and to subordinate being to
having.
"This seriously detracts from the dignity of the human person and makes
promotion of human solidarity difficult at best."
"Instead, recognition of the spiritual nature of the human person and a
renewed appreciation of the moral character of social and economic development
must be acknowledged as prerequisites for the transformation of society into a
true civilization of love," John Paul II said.
The Pontiff also referred to the crossroads European countries now face, which
he says offers them the possibility to reflect on "the fundamental and
defining role of Christianity in their particular cultures."
In this regard, the Holy Father stressed the importance of Christian education,
which "vigorously affirms and defends the source of the human person's
dignity and his place in God's design."
"In this context we cannot fail to be concerned that an eclipse of the
sense of God has resulted in an eclipse of the sense of man and of the sublime
wonder of life to which he is called," the Pope lamented.
"While the tragic calamities of war and dictatorship continue to disfigure
violently God's loving plan for humanity, so too the more subtle encroachments
of increasing materialism, utilitarianism and marginalization of faith
gradually undermine the true nature of life as a gift from God," he added.
"As the nations of Europe move toward a new configuration," he said,
"the desire to respond to the challenges of a changing world order must be
informed by the Church's perennial proclamation of the truth which sets people
free and which enables cultural and civic institutions to make genuine
progress."