IRELAND: The Catholic Third World development agency Trócaire has welcomed the Pope's encyclical, saying it backs the case for greater campaigning on economic and social justice.
Trócaire director Justin Kilcullen said: "The social message of this first encyclical is very important. The Pope gives a strong endorsement of the work being done by Catholic organisations, such as Trócaire and pays tribute to the work we are doing.
"He draws attention to the humanitarian work being carried out and also our role in forming people's political and social consciences.
"The Pope also points to the distinctiveness of Catholic organisations, highlighting the authentic spirit of concern we seek to bring to our work: 'they do not merely meet the needs of the moment, but they dedicate themselves to others with heartfelt concern, enabling them to experience the richness of their humanity'.
"The Pope also expresses his satisfaction with the mobilisation of the public in favour of economic and social justice, such as the Make Poverty History campaign which took place last year. He 'calls on all people of good will to a new commitment towards those in need'."
Fr Michael Drumm, director of the Mater Dei Institute, agreed that the encyclical was an "extraordinary affirmation" of the work of social justice campaigners.
By holding their work up as "the model for the rest of us", and by further calling for dialogue with the world, Catholics were presented with an "extraordinarily strong challenge".
"He is clearly saying that the credibility of the church is on the line unless we truly express the meaning of love," Fr Drumm told RTÉ Radio.
The encyclical was "not the one most people would have predicted", Fr Drumm added, noting that Pope Benedict had neither criticised nor condemned erotic love in the document.
