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sovereignty of each nation, ensures the econom-
ic well-being of all countries, not just of a few.
207.âAny Church community, if it thinks it
can comfortably go its own way without crea-
tive concern and effective cooperation in helping
the poor to live with dignity and reaching out to
everyone, will also risk breaking down, however
much it may talk about social issues or criticize
governments. It will easily drift into a spiritual
worldliness camouflaged by religious practices,
unproductive meetings and empty talk.
208.âIf anyone feels offended by my words,
I would respond that I speak them with affec-
tion and with the best of intentions, quite apart
from any personal interest or political ideology.
My words are not those of a foe or an oppo-
nent. I am interested only in helping those who
are in thrall to an individualistic, indifferent and
self-centred mentality to be freed from those un-
worthy chains and to attain a way of living and
thinking which is more humane, noble and fruit-
ful, and which will bring dignity to their presence
on this earth.
Concern for the vulnerable
209.âJesus, the evangelizer par excellence and
the Gospel in person, identifies especially with
the little ones (cf.
Mt
25:40). This reminds us
Christians that we are called to care for the vul-
nerable of the earth. But the current model, with
