Pope condemns sexual violence against women, culture that fuels it

Published: 2005-10-28

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI condemned sexual violence against women and the hedonistic and profit-hungry culture that fuels such exploitation. He also called on Christians to help alleviate the suffering of asylum seekers and refugees as well as to work for "just treatment for migrant women" who often lack workers' rights and protections in their employment as housekeepers, hotel maids, or caregivers for the elderly or sick. In his first message for the annual World Day for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Benedict highlighted the changing face of migrants today, noting that more and more women were crossing "the border of their homeland alone in search of work in another country." The text for the 2006 message, titled "Migrations: A Sign of the Times," was released during an Oct. 28 press conference at the Vatican.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .