Pope
Francis’ whirlwind tour across Northeast United States (Congress in DC to UN in
NYC to Independence Hall in Philly) was highlighted by his calls to address serious global issues on
environmental degradation, war, poverty, immigration, and refugees. Imagine what the pontiff could have said if
he addressed the book publishing industry.
I have a copy of a speech that he prepared, but was unable to deliver due to time constraints. I guess global warming has exigency over whether the masses read 50 Shades of Grey. Here is what would have been his speech:
I have a copy of a speech that he prepared, but was unable to deliver due to time constraints. I guess global warming has exigency over whether the masses read 50 Shades of Grey. Here is what would have been his speech:
“The
world has many problems, but none that can’t be resolved with humans driven by
peace, love, and democracy in their hearts.
We can be better than we are, do more than we’ve done, and become
something Heavenly here on Earth.
“We
live by the words of The Bible, but we also are a people of great ideas,
dreams, and knowledge. The best way to transmit
this is through books. The power of
reading is mightier than any army and stronger than any enemy. We have the ability to change the world – and
ourselves – simply by what we read.
“We
don’t have to read the same story, but we need to be on the same page, and that
means we must undertake a global commitment to ensure that every man, woman,
and child is literate. We must nurture
starving minds with wisdom. We must irrigate
parched souls with inspired teachings. We must enrich the impoverished with
wealthy notions of how to live a good life.
All of this comes from books, whether fiction, non-fiction, poetry,
short-story, or essays.
“All
of the industry’s genres and book formats take a unique approach to how we
should live life, but they are united on the highest ideals that should bring
us together, enlighten us, and show us a better way.
“World
leaders tell me they have pressing problems or a lack of funds, and can’t put
literacy high enough on a list that includes war, crime, homeless, poverty,
sickness, and the environment. But maybe
if we had a more literate population we’d move faster to finding solutions to
these problems? Maybe at the base of our
problems is an ignorance, fear, or greed that is popularized by uneducated,
illiterate masses? We have so many
people living on the fringes, feeling disenfranchised and unable to really
contribute to society because they lack the skills to do so.
“Nothing
short of world literacy is needed as the foundation for a just society. With literacy comes independence and the
ability to make smarter decisions, and to contribute to the world, rather than
being a burden upon it.
“Whatever
it takes, we must decrease the illiteracy rate, for it will increase the
world’s chances at living in peace.
Literacy for all could mean justice for all.
“Literacy
allows for a civilized society to work together, to look at things and to
understand what needs to be done.
Without literacy for all, there will be a world in imbalance, and such a
world will tilt into decay, violence, and depression.
“The
greatest country in the world should have the vision, courage, and resources to
eradicate illiteracy both here and abroad.
Literacy immunizes the world against ignorance. Ignorance causes violence, poverty, and lost
souls.
“Help
create more readers, more involved citizens, and a better world. May God give literacy to all!”
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