SUMMARY:
-
Cardinal Parolin to the United Nations: unity of action for the
common good
-
Audiences
-
Other Pontifical Acts
______________________________________
Cardinal
Parolin to the United Nations: unity of action for the common good
Vatican
City, 30 September 2014 (VIS) – Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro
Parolin spoke yesterday at the 69th Session of the General Assembly
of the United Nations, which included a debate on the Transformative
Development Agenda, among other themes.
Cardinal
Parolin, speaking in English, emphasised that the Holy See values the
United Nations' efforts to ensure world peace, respect for human
dignity, the protection of persons, especially the poorest and most
vulnerable, and harmonious economic and social development. However,
quoting Pope Francis, he remarked that there is the danger of
widespread indifference in our time, affecting not only the field of
politics but also economic and social sectors, “since an important
part of humanity does not share in the benefits of progress and is in
fact relegated to the status of second-class citizens”. He added,
“at times, such apathy is synonymous with irresponsibility. This is
the case today, when a union of States, which was created with the
fundamental goal of saving generations from the horror of war that
brings untold sorrow to humanity, remains passive in the face of
hostilities suffered by defenceless populations”. In this context,
the Cardinal repeated Pope Francis' appeal to the international
community this August to “take action to end the humanitarian
tragedy now under way” in the north of Iraq.
He
went on to speak in further detail about the situation in Iraq and
Syria, where “we are seeing a totally new phenomenon: the existence
of a terrorist organisation which threatens all states, vowing to
dissolve them and replace them with a pseudo-religious world
government”. Unfortunately, he continued, even today “there are
those who would presume to wield power by coercing consciences …
persecuting and murdering in the name of God. These actions bring
injury to entire ethnic groups, populations and ancient cultures. It
must be remembered that such violence is born of a disregard for God
and falsifies religion itself, since religion aims at … making it
clear that each human being is the image of the Creator. In a world
of global communications, this new phenomenon has found followers in
numerous places, and has succeeded in attracting from around the
world young people who are often disillusioned by a widespread
indifference and a dearth of values in wealthier societies. This
challenge, in all its tragic aspects, should compel the international
community to promote a unified response, based on solid juridical
criteria and a collective willingness to cooperate for the common
good”.
“To
this end, the Holy See considers it useful to focus attention on two
major areas. The first is to address the cultural and political
origins of contemporary challenges, acknowledging the need for
innovative strategies to confront these international problems in
which cultural factors play a fundamental role. The second area for
consideration is a further study of the effectiveness of
international law today, namely its successful implementation by
those mechanisms used by the United Nations to prevent war, stop
aggressors, protect populations and help victims”.
Cardinal
Parolin continued, “The situation today requires a more incisive
understanding of this law, giving particular attention to the
'responsibility to protect'. In fact, one of the characteristics of
the recent terrorist phenomenon is that it disregards the existence
of the state and, in fact, the entire international order. … It
also undermines and rejects all existing juridical systems,
attempting to impose dominion over consciences and complete control
over persons. The global nature of this phenomenon, which knows no
borders, is precisely why the framework of international law offers
the only viable way of dealing with this urgent challenge. This
reality requires a renewed United Nations that undertakes to foster
and preserve peace. … The present situation, therefore, though
indeed quite serious, is an occasion for the member states of the
United Nations Organisation to honour the very spirit of the Charter
of the United Nations by speaking out on the tragic conflicts which
are tearing apart entire peoples and nations. It is disappointing
that, up to now, the international community has been characterised
by contradictory voices and even by silence with regard to the
conflicts in Syria, the Middle East and Ukraine. It is paramount that
there be a unity of action for the common good, avoiding the
cross-fire of vetoes. … In summary, the promotion of a culture of
peace calls for renewed efforts in favour of dialogue, cultural
appreciation and cooperation, while respecting the variety of
sensibilities. … Ultimately, there must be a genuine willingness to
apply thoroughly the current mechanisms of law, while at the same
time remaining open to the implications of this crucial moment. This
will ensure a multilateral approach that will better serve human
dignity, and protect and advance integral human development
throughout the world”.
With
reference to the approval of the Transformative Development Agenda,
Cardinal Parolin confirmed that the Holy See welcomes the
'Sustainable Development Goals' proposed by the Working Group (Open
Working Group for Sustainable Goals), which seek to address the
structural causes of poverty by promoting dignified work for all.
“Nevertheless, and notwithstanding the efforts of the United
Nations and of many people of good will, the number of the poor and
excluded is increasing not only in developing nations but also in
developed ones. The 'responsibility to protect', as stated earlier,
refers to extreme aggressions against human rights, cases of serious
contempt for humanitarian law or grave natural catastrophes. In a
similar way, there is a need to make legal provision for protecting
people against other forms of aggression, which are less evident but
just as serious and real. For example, a financial system governed
only by speculation and the maximisation of profits, or one in which
individual persons are regarded as disposable items in a culture of
waste, could be tantamount, in certain circumstances, to an offence
against human dignity. It follows, therefore, that the United Nations
and its member states have an urgent and grave responsibility for the
poor and excluded, mindful always that social and economic justice is
a essential condition for peace”, he concluded.
Audiences
Vatican
City, 30 September 2014 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father received in
audience Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, archbishop of Aparecida,
Brazil, president of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference, accompanied
by Archbishop Jose Belisario da Silva, of Sao Luis do Maranhao,
deputy president, and Bishop Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, auxiliary of
Brasilia, secretary general.
On
Monday, 29 September, the Holy Father received in audience:
-
Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary general of the Synod of
Bishops;
-
Msgr. Carlos Nannei of the prelature of Opus Dei, Argentina.
Other
Pontifical Acts
Vatican
City, 30 September 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has appointed
Bishop John Stanley Kenneth Arnold, auxiliary of Westminster,
England, as bishop of Salford (area 1,800, population 2,603,000,
Catholics 267,938, priests 284, religious 280), England. He accepted
the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented
by Bishop Terence John Brain, upon reaching the age limit.
You
can find more information at: www.visnews.org
The
news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used,
in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:
V.I.S.
-Vatican Information Service.
Copyright
© Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City
No comments:
Post a Comment