(Vatican Radio) The Holy See’s representative to the United Nations has told a commission for social development that world leaders must address “not only economic poverty but also social and spiritual poverty with policies and investments that people can see and touch”.
Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer to the UN, addressed the 55th Session of the Commission for Social Development on Strategies for eradicating poverty to achieve sustainable development for all.
He said, “Wars and conflicts are the main causes of forced migrations and massive displacements of populations. Thus, putting an end to violent conflicts must become our priority, if we are to eradicate poverty and build lasting peace.”
Archbishop Auza also said working with young people on education, jobs, and opportunities encourages their “personal growth and provide them a place in society to make meaningful contributions” so as not to “fall prey to extremist ideologies”.
“While recognizing that poverty eradication is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, the 2030 Agenda also recognizes that poverty cannot be reduced to economics,” he said.
Please find below the full text of Archbishop Auza’s address:
Statement of H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, during the 55th Session of the Commission for Social Development
Agenda Item 3 (a): Strategies for eradicating poverty to achieve sustainable development for all
New York, 2 February 2017
Mr. Chair,
At the outset, my delegation wishes to congratulate you and your bureau on your election to the Commission this year. It is the first year that the Commission has been tasked by the Economic and Social Council with providing substantive inputs to the high-level political forum in the area of social development, and so our discussions take on added importance. The focus of this year’s High-level Political Forum in July also fits perfectly within our priority theme for the 55th Session, providing the Commission with a particular opportunity to address poverty eradication by focusing on its social dimensions, a critical element that is often overlooked.
Mr. Chair,
While recognizing that poverty eradication is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, the 2030 Agenda also recognizes that poverty cannot be reduced to economics. Instead, it calls on the international community to “address poverty in all its forms and dimensions” in order to ensure that “all human beings can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment”. It goes even further in recognizing that poverty eradication is intimately linked with commitments to “combating inequality within and among countries”, “preserving the planet”, “fostering social inclusion” and ultimately “building peaceful societies.” During his annual address to the members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, Pope Francis similarly recognized that “civil progress” combined with concrete “economic development”, is the only road to peace. Peace, he continued, is an “active virtue, one that calls for the engagement and cooperation of each individual and society as a whole.”
Mr. Chair,
Unfortunately, for many people today, as was also recently emphasized by Pope Francis, “peace appears as a blessing to be taken for granted, for all intents [it is considered] an acquired right to which not much thought is given. Yet, for all too many others, peace remains merely a distant dream.” As we know far too well, millions of people currently find themselves living amid conflicts, fueled by senseless violence, hatred and fear. Even in places that we once considered secure, lack of opportunity and the economic and social strains caused by global insecurity and forced migrations have left the world less stable and in desperate need of concrete signs of hope.
Mr. Chair,
Wars and conflicts are the main causes of forced migrations and massive displacements of populations. Thus, putting an end to violent conflicts must become our priority, if we are to eradicate poverty and build lasting peace. This means addressing not only economic poverty but also social and spiritual poverty with policies and investments that people can see and touch. First and foremost, we must work to provide young people with education, jobs and opportunities that encourage their personal growth and provide them a place in society to make meaningful contributions. Such investments ensure not only that our youth can provide for themselves and their families — but that they can contribute to building a culture of peace; for, when our youth know they are valued and belong, they will not fall prey to extremist ideologies. Additionally, we must also find ways to address the needs of the most marginalized in our societies, such as our elderly who have not only contributed to society’s economic wealth but who continue to generate social wealth through experience and knowledge. Here again, the role of the family is crucial; it also happens to be the most cost effective social safety net that society can offer, especially when supported by tax credits or other targeted government policies that allow the family to provide supports that would otherwise become the responsibility of the State. Finally, sustainable development for all should embrace migrants, displaced persons and refugees. Not only must we respect the right of every person to migrate, but we must also cooperate to make investments that ensure they are integrated fully into the societies in which they are received without, as Pope Francis reminds us, “the latter sensing that their security, cultural identity and political-social stability are threatened.”
Mr. Chair,
Not unlike poverty eradication, “peace will never be achieved once and for all, but must be built up continually.” Thus let us take advantage of the work of this Commission to identify and support those best practices that will contribute most toward making progress on the challenging road that lies before us.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta on Monday morning. In remarks to the faithful following the readings of the day, the Holy Father focused on the theme of Christian freedom, saying that the follower of Christ is a “slave” – but of love, not of duty, and urging the faithful not to hide in the “rigidity” of the Commandments.
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The Pope took the Responsorial Psalm, 103 (104) as his starting point: a “song of praise” to God for His wonders. “The Father,” said Pope Francis, “works to make this wonder of creation and with His Son to accomplish this wonder of re-creation.” Pope Francis also recalled an episode in which a child asked him what God was doing before He created the world: “He was loving,” was the response.
Open your heart, do not take refuge in the rigidity of the Commandments
Why then did God create the world? “Simply to share His fullness,” Francis said. “To have someone to whom [to give] and with whom to share His fullness.” In the re-creation, God sends His Son to “set things right” – to make “the ugly one handsome, of the mistake a true [cast], of the villain a good guy”:
“When Jesus says: ‘The Father is always at work: I, too, am always at work,’ the teachers of the law were scandalized and wanted to kill him for this. Why? Because they could not receive the things of God as a gift! Only as Justice: ‘These are the Commandments: but they are few, let’s make more. And instead of opening their heart to the gift, they hid, have sought refuge in the rigidity of the Commandments, which they had multiplied up to 500 or more … They did not know how to receive the gift – and the gift is only received with freedom – and these rigid characters were afraid of the freedom that God gives us: they were afraid of love.”
The Christian is a slave of love, not of duty
The Pope went on to note that it was after that, that the Gospels tell us, “They wanted to kill Jesus.” To this, he added, “Because he said that the Father made this wonder as a gift: receive the gift of the Father!”:
“And that is why today we have praised the Father: ‘You are great, O Lord! I love you so much, for you have given this gift. You saved me, you created me.’ And this is the prayer of praise, the prayer of joy, the prayer that gives us the joy of the Christian life. And not the closed, sad prayer of the person who never knew how to receive a gift because he is afraid of freedom that always carries with it a gift. Such a one knows only how to do duty, but closed duty. Slaves of duty, but not love: when you become a slave of love, you are free! It is a beautiful bondage that, but such men did not understand that.”
Ask how we receive the gift of redemption and forgiveness of God
Here, then, are the “two wonders of the Lord,” he went on to say: “the wonder of creation and the wonder of redemption, the re-creation.” The he asked, “How do I receive this gift that God has given me – creation? And if I receive it as a gift, do I love creation, do I care for the created order?” The reason, he stressed, is that it is a gift:
“How do I receive the redemption, the forgiveness that God has given me, the making of me a son with His Son? Lovingly, tenderly, with freedom? Or do I hide in the rigidity of the closed Commandments, that are more and more “safe” – with emphasis on the scare-quotes – but that do not give joy, because they does not make you free. Each of us ought to ask himself wonder how he is experiencing these two wonders: the wonder of creation and even greater wonder of re-creation. May the Lord make us understand this great thing and make us understand what He was doing before creating the world: He was loving. Let us understand His love for us, and may we say – as we said today: ‘Lord, you are great! Thank you, thank you!’ Let us go forward like this.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation offers Catholics and Lutherans an opportunity to take further steps towards reconciliation and full Christian unity. That was Pope Francis ’ message on Monday to an ecumenical delegation from Germany, led by Cardinal Reinhard Marx , president of the German bishops conference, and top Protestant Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm , chairman of the Evangelical Churches in Germany (EKD).
Welcoming the delegation to the Vatican, Pope Francis praised the positive relationship between Catholics and Lutherans in Germany, urging them to be courageous and determined in their continuing journey together. “We share the same baptism”, he said, “we must walk together tirelessly!”
Reflecting on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation , he said it’s an opportunity to put Christ back at the centre of their ecumenical relations. Just as the question of a merciful God was the driving force of Luther and the other Reformists, so it must be at the heart of our joint efforts propose the radical truth of God’s limitless mercy to men women today.
Speaking of the tragedy of divisions and conflict, fomented by political interests, the Pope praised the initiative of the German delegation to hold an ecumenical service of penitence and reconciliation entitled “Healing memories – witnessing to Jesus Christ”.
Catholics and Lutherans will also be participating in other joint events this year, he said, including a shared pilgrimage to the Holy Land, a congress to present new translations of the Bible and an ecumenical day dedicated to shared social responsibility.
Thanks to a shared spiritual communion that has been rediscovered over recent decades, the Pope said, Catholics and Lutherans can together deplore the failures of the Reformation on both sides, as well as appreciating the many gifts which we have received from it.
The current challenges of faith and morals facing our Churches today, Pope Francis concluded, impel us to step up our efforts and increase our cooperation in the service of the poor and the protection of our planet. In a period of serious divisions and new forms of exclusion, he said, we are urgently called by God to follow the path of unity and reconciliation.German
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday reached out to Americans urging them to make this year’s Super Bowl a sign of peace, friendship and solidarity to the world.
In a specially recorded video message for the event which holds the attention of much of the nation and commands a television audience larger than for any other event of the year, the Pope pointed out that great sporting events like the championship game of the National Football League are highly symbolic, and show that it is possible to build a culture of encounter and a world of peace.
“By participating in sport, we are able to go beyond our own self-interest – and in a healthy way – we learn to sacrifice, to grow in fidelity and respect the rules. May this year’s Super Bowl be a sign of peace, friendship and solidarity to the world” he said.
The 2017 Super Bowl takes place in Houston and features the final NFL showdown between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons.
Vice President Mike Pence, who is scheduled to attend, will be the fourth sitting vice president to see the game in person.
Listen to our report:
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has urged all believers to respond to “the logic of waste and demographic downturn” by upholding and promoting a “culture of life”.
Speaking to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square after the recitation of the Angelus prayer, the Pope marked Sunday’s celebration in Italy of the “Day for Life” with a call to join Italian Bishops in promoting a culture of life in which “no one is left alone”.
Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni :
“Each life is sacred” Pope Francis said, let’s pray together for those children who risk a pregnancy termination and for those who are nearing the end of life.”
“May no one, he continued, be left alone and may love defend the sense of life.”
Quoting the words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta: “Life is beauty, admire it; Life is life, fight for it” he said that is true for the child about to be born and for the person who is about to die: “Every life is sacred!”
During his catechesis, the Pope referred to the Gospel reading of the day that tells of the Sermon on the Mount and urged Christians to preserve society from corruption and gossip.
“We are the salt of the earth” he said, and the mission of Christians in society is to give flavor to life with faith and with the love that Christ has given us “rejecting the polluting germs of selfishness, envy and gossip.”
“These germs, the Pope said, ruin the texture of our communities that must be places of welcome, solidarity and reconciliation”.
To be able to fulfill this mission, he continued, “it is necessary to be free from the corrupting degeneration of worldly influences that are contrary to Christ and to the Gospel.”
Thus, Francis invited the faithful never to let down their guard but to be purified continuously regenerating the spirit of the Gospel every day in our lives.
“We Christians, he said, are recognizable as true disciples of Christ in our actions” he said.
The Pope pointed out that it is above all our behavior, for the better or for the worse, which leaves a mark in others.
“Thanks to the light of faith, the gift that we have received, we have the duty and the responsibility not to keep it to ourselves as if it were our property, but to allow it to shine in the world and give it to others through works of charity” he said.
“The world, he said, is much in need of the light of the Gospel that transforms, heals and gives salvation to he who embraces it.”
When we give of the light of our faith, Pope Francis said, we do not extinguish it, but strengthen it, but, he warned, it must be nurtured with love and with works of charity.
(from Vatican Radio)…