"We added mgr. Cordes, in his introductory address to the meeting promoted by "Cor Unum" must dare to proclaim the Word of God on love to the people of today: so, the Encyclical of the Pope is a possibility. The conference, more than anything else, must raise its eyes to the Encyclical". By giving a preview of the contents of the document, mgr. Cordes went on: "The Pope is trying to bring back into the Church the notion of eros, the love one wishes. Eros must be asserted; in it we can find a sign of the divine, not without being purified. God’s love must be communicated to those who suffer. Those who understand with open ears and eyes what God reveals cannot help looking at their neighbours. Charity is the consequence of the loving work of the God of Salvation". The XIX century, stated Cordes, "has increased poverty. Few shephers have understood the urgency of the social situation and have taken a stance at the very last time. Even John Paul II was thinking of another Encyclical about charity as he told me himself -. The documents of the social doctrine of the Church contain numberless appeals against poverty. Why then a papal statement? The social lesson of the Church and the theology of charity are no doubt very similar, but they are not identical. The former provides ethical principles for a common good, and as such it affects the political and public worlds. The latter takes care of the suffering of every neighbour, whether alone or as a group; usually, it does not demand a developed doctrine".
