Presiding Bishop Issues Pastoral on Food Crisis
Diocesan Press Service. February 5, 1975 [75048]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, has called on the Church to make the world food crisis "a high priority " which will "be reflected in our use of human and financial resources."
In his first pastoral letter, Bishop Allin called the world food crisis "one of the most crucial issues ever to confront humanity. " He asked diocesan bishops of the Church to consider the pastoral for reading in all congregations on February 9 "or as soon thereafter as possible. "
" In the long run, " he said, "food aid alone is inadequate. " The problem involves "the equitable distribution of scarce global resources," he added, and requires certain "necessary fundamental social, political, and economic changes."
"Our response must flow from our commitment to social justice," he said. The Church, he said, must be concerned with the "effects and basic causes" of the world food crisis.
Bishop Allin reminded the members of the Church of plans at the national level to help provinces and dioceses "to assure that any necessary assistance is available to congregations of this Church where the basic work is done."
"We are at the beginning of what must be a major continuing emphasis in our lives," he said. "A creative response will be discernible as it grows in each of us, our families and congregations. It will be manifest by increased awareness, appropriate action, and changes in many aspects of our common life style."