Tag: Global

(Vatican Radio) The Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the U.N.  in Geneva, Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, says no one is exempt from the impact of climate change and we all have a moral duty to address this global concern.  Archbishop Tomasi’s comments came during an address to the U.N. on the issue of human rights and climate change.  Please find below the full text of Archbishop Tomasi’s address:  Statement by His Excellency Silvano M. Tomasi Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva at the 28th Session of the Human Rights Council Full-Day Discussion On Human Rights & Climate Change
  6 March 2015 Mr. President, The Holy See is encouraged by the growing efforts to address global climate change initiated by a variety of Stakeholders.  There is increased evidence that the poorest people in the more vulnerable countries will bear most of the burden of adapting to climate change consequences which they had almost no role in creating[1]. As we look toward the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, we are offered a significant opportunity to make two ethical decisions.  Firstly, the nations of the world need to commit themselves to curbing carbon emissions at a minimum level to avoid dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system; and secondly, the nations of the world must sufficiently fund adaptation measures needed by vulnerable nations and peoples to withstand the impacts of climate change.   Our concern for the common good of the planet, and for humanity, urges us to recognize our sense of interdependence with both nature and one another.  No one is exempt from either the impacts of climate change or our moral responsibility to act in solidarity with one another to address this global concern.  We believe that such decisions will demonstrate humankind’s commitment to showing respect for the environment, for those who suffer the most, and for the sake of present and future generations.  While science continues to research the full implications of climate change, the virtue of prudence calls us to take the responsibility to act to reduce the potential damages, particularly for those individuals who live in poverty, for those who live in very vulnerable climate impact areas, and for future generations.  As Pope Francis underlined, “The effective struggle against global warming will only be possible with a responsible collective answer, that goes beyond particular interests and behavior and is developed free of political and economic pressures … On climate change, there is a clear, definitive and ineluctable ethical imperative to act … The establishment of an international climate change treaty is a grave ethical and moral responsibility.”[2] Mr. President, Solidarity with the most vulnerable nations and peoples that are experiencing the impact of climate change in a more prominent and immediate way impels us to contribute to improving their situation and defending their right to development. Poverty and climate change are now intimately linked.  Strategies to address the first need to take into account the latter and vice-versa.  In fact, poor people living in developing countries are particularly vulnerable given their disproportionate dependency on climate-sensitive resources for their food and livelihoods[3]. The Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food has documented how extreme climate events are increasingly threatening livelihoods and food security.  Indeed, an estimated 600 million people will face malnutrition due to climate change, with increasing malnutrition rates in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa in particular.[4]             Moreover, the proliferation of floods and storms and the rising of the sea level are showing some of the effects that climate change will have also on the human right to adequate housing. The erosion of livelihoods, partly caused by climate change, is a main “push” factor for increasing rural to urban migration. Many will move to urban slums and informal settlements where they will be forced to build shelters in hazardous areas.[5] Already today, an estimated one billion people live in urban slums, on fragile hillsides or flood-prone river banks, which are acutely vulnerable to extreme climate events.             As we continue to search for viable solutions, we know that the path to a more just and sustainable future is complex and often uncertain. In our collective work to address global climate change, the Holy See is committed to working with all people of good will and it pledges its support for efforts that advance the common good, respect for human dignity and a special care for the most vulnerable. The Holy See hopes as well that the pledged contributions to the Green Climate Fund will continue to increase so as to enable the most vulnerable nations to mitigate, and adapt to, the effect of climate change more effectively.  Finally, the continuing and deepening collaboration and engagement of civil society and the private sector is a welcome sign.  All of these measures should improve the chances for meaningful and constructive steps to address climate change at the forthcoming Paris Conference. The expected new agreement should embody binding measures of responsibility and solidarity for an effective action by the international community to address together the threats resulting from climate change. Climate change is, in fact, an issue of justice for everyone. The new instrument should rest on that justice, which must guide our deliberations in the weeks to come. Both developed and developing countries have a responsibility to protect: they constitute the one human family of this earth with an equal mandate to manage and protect creation in a responsible manner to ensure that also our future generations find a world that allows them to flourish. [1] As pointed out by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), “In the Netherlands, people are investing in homes that can float on water. The Swiss Alpine ski industry is investing in artificial snow-making machines,” but “[i]n the Horn of Africa, ‘adaptation’ means that women and young girls walk further to collect water.” In the Ganges and Mekong Deltas, “people are erecting bamboo flood shelters on stilts” and “planting mangroves to protect themselves against storm surges.” [2] Message of Pope Francis to the President of COP 20 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). [3] IPCC AR4 WG II, p. 359. United Nations Millennium Project 2005, Halving Hunger: It Can Be Done, Task Force on Hunger, p. 66. Furthermore, according to the Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur on the right to food, “half of the world’s hungry people … depend for their survival on lands which are inherently poor and which may be becoming less fertile and less productive as a result of the impacts of repeated droughts, climate change and unsustainable land use” (A/HRC/7/5, para. 51). [4] http://www.ifpri.org/ [5] A/63/275, paras. 31-38. (from Vatican Radio)…

(Vatican Radio) The importance of inter-religious dialogue and of negotiation in conflict resolution were among the key topics discussed when Pope Francis received in audience on Friday, the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his wife.
 
Please find below a translation into English of a communique issued by the Holy See’s Press Office for more details . 
 
On the morning of Friday 6 March 2015, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, with his wife, was received in Audience by the Holy Father Pope Francis. He subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin,accompanied by the under Secretary for Relations with States, Msgr. Antoine Camilleri.
During the cordial discussions, satisfaction was expressed for the development of bilateral relations. In particular, attention was paid to themes regarding the life of the Catholic Community in the country and to a number of initiatives in the culture field, revealing the value in the contemporary world of intercultural and interreligious dialogue to promote peace.
Reference was then made to the current regional and international situation, emphasising the importance of negotiation in conflict resolution, and education for promoting the conditions for peaceful coexistence between populations and different religious groups.
(from Vatican Radio)…

(Vatican Radio) Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States on Friday spoke about the challenges facing the Church in Europe at a meeting in Bratislava organised by the Council of European Bishops Conferences (CCEE). In an address to legal advisors of the different European bishops conferences the Vatican’s ‘foreign minister’ also explored some of the themes raised by Pope Francis during his recent visit to the European Parliament and Council of Europe last November.
Below, please find the full text of Archbishop Gallagher’s address:
Europa, the beauty whose name was given to our continent, came from Asia. There is historical truth reflected in this mythical belief of the Ancient Greeks, since the cradle of European culture lies, in fact, in Asia. The story goes that the maiden Europa was the daughter of Agenor, king of a major Phoenician coastal city. Now Agenor jealously guarded his daughter, making sure that no one would kidnap the beautiful young woman. And so, Zeus, the father of the gods who had fallen in love with Europa, had to proceed with stealth and cunning. He transformed himself into a tame white bull, which mixed in with Agenor’s herd of cattle grazing near the Mediterranean seashore. Europa and her friends soon noticed the friendly bull that smelled of flowers, so gentle, in fact, that all the girls came over to stroke him. Europa caressed its flanks, eventually climbing onto the bull’s back. At once Zeus seized the opportunity to kidnap her. Still in the form of a bull he ran with the girl on his back down to the water, disappearing from sight, then flew over the sea to Crete, that is, to Europe!
Today the bull as a mythical animal seldom reminds us of Europa’s abduction. Rather, in the modern world of finance it has become the symbol of economic wealth. We have only to see the two bronze animals in front of the New York Stock Exchange: the bear presses stock prices down with its paw – a sign of economic recession – while the bull pushes upwards with its horns, promising rich profits. These images went through my mind as I was preparing this address on Pope Francis’ speeches to the European Parliament and to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 25 November last. Even today the maiden Europa can still be seduced and kidnapped by the bull, because – and here lies one of the Pope’s central concerns – money seems to have become more important than people, particularly those who are poor and vulnerable. It is indeed human dignity that stands at the core of both European institutions which the Pope visited, since they profess to defend the fundamental rights of all and to promote social cohesion.
Rather than speaking in Brussels only to members of the European Parliament, the Holy Father decided, significantly, to speak in Strasbourg, enabling him to address the Council of Europe where all European nations are represented, including Russia and the Ukraine, as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan – to give just two examples of areas outside the European Union (but within Europe) where there are ongoing, grave conflicts. Pope Francis wanted to make it clear that our continent is bigger than the European Union. As he has done often in the past, his aim was to draw attention to the “peripheries” in order to engage actively States and peoples even at the geographic edge of our continent.
One might say that Strasbourg is Europe’s true capital, which has become, after a tumultuous history, a true symbol of French-German reconciliation. Surely it is a sign of hope for all of us that this rediscovered friendship connects all European nations. Pope Francis has expressly pointed to this: “The dream of the founders was to rebuild Europe in a spirit of mutual service which today too, in a world more prone to make demands than to serve, must be the cornerstone of the Council of Europe’s mission of peace, freedom and human dignity.”http://it.pons.com/traduzione/inglese-tedesco/maybe1
At the center of the Pope’s considerations in Strasbourg was his affirmation of the dignity of the human person. The focus of Catholic social teaching is the acknowledgment of the value of every individual, whose protection precedes all positive laws which should aim to achieve precisely this. Human rights must be respected everywhere not because politicians confess the “preciousness, the uniqueness and unrepeatability of every single person”, but rather because they are engraved in the heart of every human person. It is upon this that positive laws in each State must uphold the inalienable rights of individuals. They must be fixed in the positive laws of every state, be protected by those in authority, and respected by all. “At the same time, however, care must be taken not to fall into certain errors which can arise from a misunderstanding of the concept of human rights and from its misuse. Today there is a tendency to claim ever broader individual rights – I am tempted to say individualistic, underlying this is a conception of the human person as detached from all social and anthropological contexts, as if the person were a “monad”, increasingly unconcerned with other surrounding “monads”. The equally essential and complementary concept of duty no longer seems to be linked to such a concept of rights. As a result, the rights of the individual are upheld, without regard for the fact that each human being is part of a social context wherein his or her rights and duties are bound up with those of others and with the common good of society itself.”
Christian thought which has substantially formed the history and culture of Europe has always promoted the dignity of the individual and the common good of all. Against this background the Pope reminds us of the Christian roots of our continent, in order to bring the fruits that are reasonably expected by valuing the person. Christianity is not only our past, but also our “present and our future“, because today it is about the centrality of the person. Today, the dignity of the human person is at risk; Europe can greatly benefit from the light of Christian morals. The Holy Father exhorts the Members of the European Parliament as “the time has come to work together in building a Europe which revolves not around the economy, but around the sacredness of the human person, around inalienable values. In building a Europe which courageously embraces its past and confidently looks to its future in order to fully experience the hope of its present. The time has come for us to abandon the idea of a Europe which is fearful and self-absorbed, in order to revive and encourage a Europe of leadership, a repository of science, art, music, human values and faith as well.”
The words of Pope Francis are courageous and echo Saint John Paul’s II admonition in Ecclesia in Europa4 that the continent which separates itself from its Christian roots will fall into a “silent apostasy”. Where economic interests are directed only to profit and the market, then the bull of Europe – to use the image from the outset – becomes the golden calf, an idol of false values and aspirations.
According to the Pope we need to rebuild “a Europe which contemplates the heavens and pursues lofty ideals. A Europe which cares for, defends and protects man, every man and woman. A Europe which bestrides the earth surely and securely, a precious point of reference for all humanity!” It might seem paradoxical but the more those with responsibility in politics, economy, culture and welfare, turn towards men and women on the peripheries of our society, the more they will place the dignity of the individual at the center of their activities, thus promoting the common good of all. The more they look to the heavens, that is, to high ideals, without letting market values dominate their work, greater the unity will be between representatives and decision makers and greater too, the ability to solve the problems that threaten our societies. Looking to the periphery and to the heavens does not deviate from the essential; on the contrary, this orders our actions in the right way, so that they can truly protect human rights. Christianity teaches looking at both – to the edges and upwards to the heavens.
From this perspective the Pope is speaking about the concrete problems and challenges of Europe, and in particular the worrying conditions of migrants who seek the protection of their lives and families on our continent: “We cannot allow the Mediterranean to become a vast cemetery! The boats landing daily on the shores of Europe are filled with men and women who need acceptance and assistance. The absence of mutual support within the European Union runs the risk of encouraging particularistic solutions to the problem, solutions which fail to take into account the human dignity of immigrants, and thus contribute to slave labour and continuing social tensions. Europe will be able to confront the problems associated with immigration only if it is capable of clearly asserting its own cultural identity” I would like to add that this European culture is profoundly a Christian one “and enacting adequate legislation to protect the rights of European citizens and to ensure the acceptance of immigrants”.
It is not the Church’s duty to pursue concrete, day-to-day politics and to ascribe to herself competences which she does not have. We do not know the concrete measures that might be necessary, for example, to assure security and freedom to all migrants searching our help. Rather it is a matter of inviting politicians, sometimes also admonishing them, to look up and to look further than short-term solutions. As Pope Benedict XVI  articulated during his visit to London in 2010: “Religion, in other words, is not a problem for legislators to solve, but a vital contributor to the national conversation. In this light, I cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalization of religion, particularly of Christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance”6. In view of the growing forces, which seek to exile Christianity to the private domain, removing it from public discourse, it is significant that after the Pope’s speech in Strasbourg – and maybe even thanks to it – the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has adopted a resolution countering discrimination against Christians in Europe.
The Pope “from the end of the world” showed his love and his concern for our continent before the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. The young maiden Europa has grown into an older woman who no longer has the impetus of youth, yet is still beautiful and charming. In the coming years and decades it will be important for Europe that its nations and peoples will continue the process of unity free of the constraints of false egalitarianism and excessive bureaucracy, in order to ensure a lasting peace. There can never again be war in Europe! This high aim is to be achieved, however, only if trust and brotherliness – true unity – grow and are consolidated in the acceptance of cultural differences. Christianity has to perform her mission in Europe in this regard, and the Catholic Church, especially, in which the unity of cultural differences is found, can offer tangible help to unite and strengthen the national family of Europe. This is our particular charism as we assist the Holy See and the local churches by our skills and expertise, enlightened by faith, we may promote a Europe founded on the dignity of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God.
(from Vatican Radio)…

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received in audience on Friday (March 6th) members of the Catholic missionary movement, the Neocatechumenal Way, and thanked them for the great benefit they bring to the Church. 
 
Please find below a translation into English of the Pope’s address to the Neocatechumenal members:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Peter’s task is to confirm his brothers and sisters in the faith. So you too have wanted with this gesture to ask the Successor of Peter to confirm your call, to support your mission, to bless your charism. And I want to confirm your call, support your mission and bless your charism.  I’m doing that not because I’ve been paid to: No!  (laughs) I’m doing it because I want to.  You will go forth in the name of Christ into the world to bring His Gospel: Christ will precede, Christ will accompany and Christ will fulfill the salvation of which you are bearers!
Together with you I greet all the Cardinals and Bishops who accompany you today and who in their dioceses support your mission. In particular I greet the initiators of the Neocatechumenal Way, Kiko Argüello and Carmen Hernández, with Father Mario Pezzi: I also would like to express my appreciation and my encouragement for the great benefit they bring to the Church through the Way. I always say that the Neocatechumenal Way does great good in the Church.
As Kiko said, our meeting today is a missionary commissioning, in obedience to what Christ asked us: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.  And I am particularly glad that this mission is carried out thanks to Christian families, united in a community, who have the mission to give witness to our faith that attract people to the beauty of the Gospel, in the words of Christ: “This is how all will know that you are my disciples”(cf. Jn 13:34), and “be one and the world may believe” (cf. Jn 17:21). These communities, called by the Bishops, are formed by a priest and four or five families, with children including grown-up ones, and are a “missio ad gentes”, with a mandate to evangelize non-Christians. Non-Christians who’ve never heard about Jesus Christ and the many non-Christians who’ve forgotten who Jesus Christ was, who is Jesus Christ: baptized non-Christians but who have forgotten their faith because of secularization, worldliness and many other things. Re-awaken that faith! So, even before words, it is your witness of life that manifests the heart of Christ’s revelation: that God loves man to the point of laying down His life for us and that he was raised by the Father to give us the grace to give our lives for others. Today’s world badly needs this great message. How much solitude, how much suffering, how much distance from God in the many peripheries of Europe and America, and in many cities of Asia! Today, in every latitude, humanity greatly needs to hear that God loves us and that love is possible! These Christian communities, thanks to you missionary families, have the essential task of making this message visible. And what is this message? “Christ is risen, Christ lives. Christ lives amongst us””
You have received the strength to leave everything behind and set off for distant lands through a process of Christian initiation, experienced and lived in small communities, where you have rediscovered the immense riches of your Baptism. This is the Neocatechumenal Way, a true gift of Providence to the Church of our time, as my predecessors have already stated; especially St. John Paul II when he said: “I recognize the Neocatechumenal Way as an itinerary of Catholic formation, valid for society and for our times” (Epist. Whenever, August 30, 1990: AAS 82 [1990], 1515). The Way is based on the three dimensions of the Church which are the Word, Liturgy and Community. So obedient and constant listening to the Word of God; the Eucharistic celebration in small community after the first Vespers of Sunday, the family celebration of lauds on Sunday with all the children gathered round and sharing their faith with other brothers and sisters are at the origin of the many gifts the Lord has given to you as well as the many vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. It is a great consolation to see all of this, because it confirms that the Spirit of God is alive and active in His Church, even today, and that He meets the needs of modern man.
On several occasions I have insisted that the Church has to move from a pastoral ministry of mere conservation to a decidedly missionary pastoral ministry (cf. ibid., N. Evangelii gaudium, 15). How often, within the Church, do we keep Jesus inside and  don’t  let him out. …. How often! This is the most important thing to do if we do not want the waters to stagnate within the Church.  For years now the Way has been undertaking these missio ad gentes among non-Christians, for an implantatio Ecclesiae, a new presence of the Church, where the Church does not exist or is no longer able to reach people. “How much joy you give us with your presence and your activity!” – said Blessed Pope Paul VI during the very first audience with you (May 8, 1974: Teachings of Pope Paul VI, XII [1974], 407). I also make these words my own and encourage you to move forward, entrusting you to the Blessed Virgin Mary who inspired the Neocatechumenal Way. May she intercede for you with her divine Son.
My dearly beloved, may the Lord accompany you. Go forth, with my Blessing.
(from Vatican Radio)…

(Vatican Radio) On Saturday March 7th, Pope Francis travels across Rome to mark fifty years since an historic event for the Catholic Church took place in the Roman Church of ‘Ognissanti’.   It was the morning of the 7th of March 1965, the first Sunday in Lent of that year when in this very same Church Blessed Paul VI celebrated Holy Mass for the first time in the vernacular rather than in Latin, as was the custom at the time. Listen to a programme presented and produced by  Veronica Scarisbrick :
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