Pope praises Panama's efforts to reduce poverty, end corruption

Published: 2005-03-17

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Panama's efforts to reduce poverty and to end corruption in public bureaucracy are important parts of consolidating democracy and progress in the country, Pope John Paul II said. The pope's written message was given to Panama's new ambassador to the Vatican, Lawrence Chewning Fabrega, after he met March 17 with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state. In his message to the pope, the ambassador -- a career diplomat -- said being named to represent Panama at the Vatican was "the realization of the biggest dream of my life." He praised Pope John Paul's leadership in working for peace and for an end to poverty around the globe. Panama's Catholic majority, he said, understands that "if we keep our ears deaf and eyes blind to hunger, poverty and social injustices, we cannot fulfill the message of Christ, and we will be destined to live in an apocalyptic world."

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