The Press SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1967. The Pope And Population

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31333, 1 April 1967, Page 12

The Press SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1967. The Pope And Population

Pope Paul has echoed the fears of demographers in his fifth encyclicaL He agrees with them that, as the rich nations grow richer and the poor poorer, as world food production declines and population increases and as aid programmes lag far behind needs, the world will slide rapidly towards disaster far greater than anything that has occurred in man’s 200,000 years on the earth. In that time, world population has grown to 3300 million. By the year 2000— only 33 years from now—there will be twice the number of mouths to feed. Yet already food production is inadequate. Between 10 and 15 per cent of the present world population is under-nourished, which means, in human terms, perpetually hungry; and up to 50 per cent suffer from malnutrition. Warnings on the social, economic, political and, ultimately, the strategic consequences of the present

and future disparity between food and population have been sounded before. The value of the Pope’s call is its clear restatement of the morality that should guide the decisions of individuals and governments in facing this challenge. He has demanded not merely a revolutionary increase in aid programmes but a new spirit and a new outlook of human solidarity; “ for at stake are the peace of the “ world and the future of civilisation. ” Clearly the need for moral courage and the illusive capacity to love one’s neighbour is greater than ever. The effect of widespread famine and poverty will not only cause great social, economic, and political instability; it will also cheapen, perhaps destroy, the most treasured human values—the sanctity of life, human dignity, the importance of the individual. If people become a plague, life itself will be worthless. Mr Walt Rostow, President Johnson’s special adviser, recently listed the major world issues for the years ahead as an international aid policy geared t* self-help measures, a satisfactory international monetary system, a reconciliation of agriculture policies in the light of the food-population problem, and a satisfactory trade policy embracing the legitimate interests of the developed and the developing nations. If the Pope’s appeal stimulates progress towards these objectives, the encyclical will have served mankind well

There is the other side of this equation. Technology has precipitated the problem by reducing mortality rates, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America; but it can also alleviate the problem by increasing food production and by checking population growth at its source. The Pope has taken the Roman Catholic Church a step along this path by endorsing government measures to teach contraceptive practices. It is only a small step; for the endorsement is qualified by the proviso that the methods must conform to the Church’s view of moral law. The Pope may have encouraged the United Nations and its agencies and governments reluctant to aid poorer nations in birth control programmes; but the Church has still to give clear guidance. The Pope’s encyclical, says “ The Times, ” has reminded men of their duty. “ But his words leave the Church “with a duty also.”