To the
members of the American Cancer Society
THE PROMISE OF A BRIGHTER FUTURE
On 2 June His Holiness
received in audience a delegation of the American Cancer Society and addressed
them as follows:
Dear
Friends,
I am
pleased to welcome you today as the representatives of the American Cancer
Society. I am acquainted with the aims
and objectives of your association and I wish to express my esteem and deep
appreciation of your work. The fight to
alleviate physical pain and suffering deserves the support of all people of
good will, but it has special importance for those of us who are Christians,
whose Gospel of love exhorts us to be compassionate as our heavenly Father is
compassionate.
One
of the most intense forms of suffering that the human person, on the
psychological level, can experience is derived from the temptation to give up
hope, hope in one's own capacity to overcome a specific illness, hope in the
possibility of returning to a normally happy and productive life. Your Society's worldwide struggle against
cancer offers immense hope to thousands of men, women and children around the
world. By sponsoring scientific research
into the causes and cures of this dreaded disease, as well as in promoting
public campaigns of information and education aimed at early detection and
treatment, you offer the promise of a brighter future to those who know from
personal experience the many frustrations and conflicts which arise from human
suffering.
May
your humanitarian efforts on behalf of our suffering brothers and sisters be
crowned with success.
And may God reward your compassion and concern for others with his
divine gifts of peace and
joy.
God bless you all.