Austria: Mgr Landau (Caritas Europa), need to relieve debt of poor countries

The President of Caritas Europa, Mgr Michael Landau, calls for debt relief for poor countries. Several African countries are currently suffering from a severe debt crisis, Landau recalled during a Mass celebrated today, Pentecost Monday, at St Stephen’s cathedral in Vienna. According to recent studies, 32 countries have to spend more money paying loans and interests than healthcare, and 25 States are expected to spend more on debt than on schooling and education. “This is a reality in Africa and this means that millions of children cannot go to school and women cannot give birth to their children in hospitals”, explained the President of Caritas Europa. Austria and Europe must “discuss and firmly address” the issue of debt relief. Mgr Landau hence reiterated Pope Francis’ appeal for the 2025 Jubilee of the Catholic Church, under the motto “Pilgrims of Hope”. In the official Bull of Indiction on 9 May, the Pope makes several “appeals for hope” to the world, including one on richer countries to forgive the debts of economically weaker countries.
Massimo Lavena