151
artisans of their destinyâ,
156
since âevery person
is called to self-fulfilmentâ.
157
191.âIn all places and circumstances, Christians,
with the help of their pastors, are called to hear
the cry of the poor. This has been eloquent-
ly stated by the bishops of Brazil: âWe wish to
take up daily the joys and hopes, the difficulties
and sorrows of the Brazilian people, especially
of those living in the barrios and the country-
side â landless, homeless, lacking food and health
care â to the detriment of their rights. Seeing
their poverty, hearing their cries and knowing
their sufferings, we are scandalized because we
know that there is enough food for everyone and
that hunger is the result of a poor distribution of
goods and income. The problem is made worse
by the generalized practice of wastefulnessâ.
158
192.âYet we desire even more than this; our
dream soars higher. We are not simply talking
about ensuring nourishment or a âdignified sus-
tenanceâ for all people, but also their âgeneral
temporal welfare and prosperityâ.
159
This means
education, access to health care, and above all
employment, for it is through free, creative,
156
âP
aul
VI, Encyclical Letter
Populorum Progressio
(26
March 1967), 65: AAS 59 (1967), 289.
157
âIbid., 15: AAS 59 (1967), 265.
158
âC
onferência
N
acional
D
os
B
ispos
D
o
B
razil
,
Ex-
igências evangélicas e éticas de superação da miséria e da fomeâ
(April
2002), Introduction, 2.
159
âJ
ohn
XIII, Encyclical Letter
Mater et Magistra
(15 May
1961), 3: AAS 53 (1961), 402.