Have you ever known the pain of hunger? Has your stomach ever growled at a most inopportune time, leaving you at least somewhat embarrassed and hurrying to finish the business at hand so that you could tend to the pressing need to fill the void that is causing your digestive juices to do a dance?
Count yourself extremely lucky.
It seems strange that in today's world where some of us are surrounded by such abundance, there is still a problem of hunger in our world. Adults and children alike in places far and near just don't have enough to eat, and it's not because they choose this plight.
They say that pictures say a thousand words. One of the most graphic illustrations of the imbalance of power that exists, at least as far as access to food is concerned, can be seen in an on-line presentation entitled One Week's Worth of Food Around our Planet. Not only does this illustrate how much food we consume, but it also gives the average cost of food per week in various parts of the world. Prices are stated in local currencies and in US$ (for the sake of comparison). What I find most poignant is the disparity between the relative opulence of some tables and the stark reality that some of us have so very little. It sure makes you think, and give thanks.
The problem of world hunger is also the topic of discussion at a summit taking place in Rome this week. Representatives from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization are there to discuss the challenges that climate change and bioenergy place on the world's food supply. As the three-day conference began yesterday, the Vatican's Secretary of State, Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone read a prepared statement on behalf of the Holy Father.
"Hunger and malnutrition are unacceptable in a world which has, in fact, levels of production, resources and knowledge sufficient to put an end to such dramas and their consequences," the Pope said. "The great challenge of today is to 'globalize,' not just economic and commercial interests, but also the call for solidarity, while respecting and taking advantage of the contribution of all components of society."
The pope called on the delegates to take action in order to guarantee a right to food for all people. He told them that it is a matter of justice that we concern ourselves with feeding all those who hunger. To do otherwise would be to deny that the primary right to food is intrinsically linked to the safeguarding and defense of human life.
The FAO summit concludes tomorrow.
1 comment:
I am happy to read about the Holy Father's concerns with global issues of hunger. We are all people of this earth. As we celebrate Eucharist and receive the Bread of Life given to us by Christ, let us take up the challenge to share the physical bread and prosperity we have here, with those in need, be they around the corner or half a world away.
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