World hunger and the commitment of believers Introduction to a recent document by Cor Unum.

Abstract

On 4 October 1996, the Pontifical Council ‘Cor Unum’ published a document entitled Hunger in the World: A Challenge for All: Development in Solidarity, prepared at the request of John Paul II on the occasion of the World Food Summit, which was to take place in Rome from 13 to 17 November, organised by the FAO. The text studied here is presented as ‘a contribution to the commitment of Christians to share the anxieties of people today.’ It is clear that both the texts themselves and the response they elicit within and outside the Church are shaping positions on issues of enormous relevance today. In this sense, they are also creating a doctrine or, at least, applying the doctrinal heritage of the Christian tradition to ever-new questions. Once again, we must deplore the lack of dissemination of this document. Should this be attributed to the Church's lack of sensitivity to these issues? There is no doubt that other more ‘hot’ topics find greater resonance. In any case, this lack of concern for disseminating these reflections is another missed opportunity for the Church to deepen its understanding of the social dimension of our faith.