Vatican City: Pope Benedict XVI denounced
on Wednesday in his annual message for Lent, the period in the
Christian calendar leading up to Easter, society`s worship of
material objects because it hollows the human person.
"The greed of possession leads to violence, corruption
and death," the pope said and encouraged almsgiving "which is
the capacity to share".
"The idolatry of goods, on the contrary, not only
separates us from others but empties the human person and
leaves him (or her) unhappy," he added in a statement written
in seven languages and diffused around the world.
Benedict XVI also warned that "the demon is working
and does not stop, even in our times, to tempt all men who
want to come closer to God".
Lent, traditionally a time for spiritual
self-examination for Christians, culminates with Holy Week
leading up to Easter, the resurrection of Christ, which this
year falls on April 24.
PTI
