CALCUTTA, India : Pope John Paul I went into the heart of Calcutta’s slums Monday for a tour of Mother Teresa’s hospice where he fed the dying, touched lepers and blessed the dead during a visit that left him speechless with emotion. It was the third day of the pontiff’s 10day pilgrimage across India,
Speaking during the outdoor ‘mass in Bihar state India’s poorest John Paul described discrimination based on caste.
“My heart goes out in a special way to the many unemployed who want to work but are unable to find suitable employment at times because of discrimination based on religion, caste, community or language,” he said.
He also urged employers to pay workers a just wage. “No one should be used as a mere instrument of burden,” John Paul said. The Church rejects any social or economic system that leads to the deprivation of just wage for workers, a wage that takes into account the needs of their families.”
His reference to India’s ancient caste problems addressed an issue that often has spurred violence in the region, Lower caste, often landless people struggle to survive in a region dominated by higher caste wealthy landlords,
Child labor and human bondage are caused by money lenders whose usurious rates often force
the poor to mortgage themselves and their children to repay loans.
Roman Catholic missionaries have been fighting for land reform and tribal rights in the area for 100 years.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 7, 1986
