(Vatican Radio) The Holy See delegation to the United Nations on Wednesday called the family a “critically important” intangible asset that societies and States need to achieve the post-2015 sustainable development goals.
The UN General Assembly was marking the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
In a Statement by the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, Archbishop Bernadito Auza, said it was “urgent that the post-2015 development agenda create a conducive environment to strengthen and support the family, to enable it to undergird the maintenance of peace and security, the advancement of women and girls, the respect for fundamental human rights, the reconciliation of work and family life and the shared parental responsibility for the upbringing and development of the child.”
The full text of Archbishop Auza’s intervention is below
Statement of H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza,
Permanent Observer of the Holy See
General Assembly Plenary Meeting in Observance of the
Twentieth Anniversary of the International Year of the Family
New York, 3 December 2014
Mr. President,
My delegation warmly welcomes the holding of this Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly to mark the Twentieth Anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
This anniversary is a good opportunity to consider what has been achieved over the past 20 years, and thus, to highlight the importance of the family and to understand its functions and needs, to pay attention to the rights and responsibilities of all family members, to strengthen national institutions and to formulate, implement and monitor policies in respect of the family.
Along this line, the Holy See hopes that this meeting will help States and the United Nations as a whole to acknowledge the role of the family in the elaboration and implementation of the post-2015 sustainable development goals. The family is critically important as one of those “intangible assets” that societies and States need. From preventing conflicts to building peaceful societies, from fostering agriculture to preventing crimes in inner cities, from caring for the earth to assuring food security, from eradicating poverty to sustaining healthy communities, the family is and will always be at the forefront. Its contribution to the life of societies and States transcends tangible measures and defies monetary quantifications. Indeed, a family animated by unity and mutual responsibility undeniably contributes to nurturing future generations and to taking care of the more vulnerable members of our society, like the sick, the elderly and the marginalized. As Pope Francis affirms, the family is such a fundamental pillar in society: it is the “foundation of co-existence and a guarantee against social fragmentation.”
Given the exceptional potential of the family and its obvious and widely acknowledged social and economic contribution to society, it is sad to note that, as underlined in the Secretary General’s Report, “families are rarely the focus of major policy initiatives. Often, such policies target women and children separately, and not the family unit per se”. Whereas that may be understandable for specific reasons, the fight against violence and discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women and the promotion of the rights of the child could yield greater results if we take the more integrated approach of taking into account the family unit.
Indeed, studies show that those who build stable families have lower risk of domestic violence, mental illness and alcoholism. Children show lower risk of alcoholism, drug addiction and mental illness, lower incidences of later becoming criminals, and higher academic achievements. In so many cases, the breakdown of families also contributes to the feminization of poverty and to stunted child development. From an economic perspective, a stable family is the lowest cost option for both its members and the State.
Mr. President,
My delegation considers it urgent that the post-2015 development agenda create a conducive environment to strengthen and support the family, to enable it to undergird the maintenance of peace and security, the advancement of women and girls, the respect for fundamental human rights, the reconciliation of work and family life and the shared parental responsibility for the upbringing and development of the child.
My delegation, while echoing the recommendations articulated in the Secretary General’s Report, wishes to reiterate a strong call for all international and national institutions, all State and civil society structures to “promote and advance family empowerment through appropriate family-centred policies and programmes”, without falling into what Pope Francis referred to as “the trap of being limited by ideological concepts.” Indeed, the family is an indispensable, natural and anthropological asset for humanity. Let us promote and support it.
Thank you, Mr. President.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The Dominican Republic’s top prosecutor, Francisco Dominguez Brito, met on Tuesday with his Vatican counterpart, Professor Gian Piero Milano to discuss the case against Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, the Vatican’s former Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic. A statement released by the Vatican Press Office’s director, Father Federico Lombardi, said the meeting came as part of the ongoing international cooperation between the relevant bodies collecting information and evidence about Archbishop Weselowski who was recalled from his post last year after allegations of abuse against minors.
Father Lombardi described the meeting as “useful” given the complexity of the ongoing investigation. He also said Archbishop Wesolowski has recently been questioned by Vatican prosecutors and will be questioned again in the future. After his first court appearance, judges placed Archbishop Wesolowski under house arrest. Tuesday’s Vatican statement said that due to health concerns, the Polish Archbishop now enjoys a certain freedom of movement but only within the Vatican City State and that he is still limited in his communications with people outside the Vatican.
The Dominican Prosecutor Brito met Pope Francis during his Wednesday audience and said afterwards that the Pope had told him that the truth must prevail in this case and that the judicial institutions of both states are acting in full liberty and within the norms.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) A special Mass takes place in the Rome Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls on Wednesday evening marking the 100th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and the Holy See. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State is presiding at the celebration, which will also be attended by many ecumenical guests and a high level British government delegation.
Leading that delegation is Foreign Office Minister of State, Baroness Anelay of St John’s who spoke to Philippa Hitchen about the relationship between her country and the Holy See today….
Listen:
Baroness Anelay says it’s a relationship that is very important for the British government to work together on many issues of common concern….in particular she speaks of the attack on religious freedom which Pope Francis addressed clearly on his visit to Turkey…she notes that she spoke recently at the launch of the Aid to the Church in Need report and heard how religious minorities are being targeted with a real risk of Christians being driven out of the Middle East…this is “a top human rights priority” for the British government, she says.
Speaking about the concerns of some religious communities in Britain who feel their freedom of conscience is being eroded, Baroness Anelay says the UK government looks carefully across all departments to make sure that legislation reflects religious freedom as core to everything it does….also she says religious literacy training has increased across all government departments….
On the difficult questions, such as the same-sex marriage legislation in the UK, she says Britain and the Holy See have “robust, intellectual disagreement on some issues”. She says the government listened very carefully to the arguements but adds we must reflect on the fact that society want to demonstrate equal opportunities for all, including those in same-sex relationships….it doesn’t undermine relations with the Holy See, she says, but makes us talk all the more
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin presides on Wednesday at a special Mass in the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls to mark the 100th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and the Holy See. The celebration, attended by many ecumenical guests and a high level British government delegation, comes 100 years after Sir Henry Howard was appointed to bring “the cordial congratulations of His Majesty the King on the occasion of his election” to Pope Benedict XV.
Amidst the outbreak of the First World War, the British government recognised that the Pope was “a ruler of wide influence” and the Foreign Secretary of the time, Sir Edward Grey, wanted to assure him that his government also “used every effort to maintain the peace of Europe”.
A century later, what are the common concerns between Britain and the Holy See? How important is this diplomatic relationship today? And what about those who still remain wary of Rome’s “interference” in English affairs? Philippa Hitchen put those questions to the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin….
Listen:
Cardinal Parolin says it’s a very important anniversary because it’s important to dialogue and have channels of communication to deal together with the problems of the world today. Asked about those who remain wary of Rome’s “interference” in English affairs, he says with a smile that there are always those who’re afraid of the power of the Church. But he quotes from the Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes which clearly speaks of the Church and State as “two autonomous entities” which cooperate together for the good of the human person…..
Regarding controversial questions such as same-sex marriage legislation in Britain, the cardinal says diplomatic relations are not strained by these issues as they are simply a tool through which the two parties keep in touch. But the Holy See, he says, can express its concern about developments on moral issues and it’s important to listen to the voice of the local Church as well….
In the social sphere, the cardinal says there’s increased cooperation with governments including the UK which has shown interest in stepping up that cooperation. “We are also willing to continue and increase this cooperation” he says, particularly in areas of conflict prevention and resolution, in the defence of human rights and in the fight against poverty….
Asked about the high level of Euro-scepticism in Britain today, Cardinal Parolin says it’s not easy to convince people but the Pope’s visit to Strasbourg conveyed the simple message of the importance of the European project, which has led to 60 years of peace and development. Secondly, he notes, the Pope also wanted to bring hope and encouragement especially to the younger generations and to assure them that by resolving some points of weakness it is possible to build a united Europe…
On the possibility of another papal visit to Britain, the cardinal said the Pope has many journeys already planned, to Asia this year, to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families, then he is thinking about Africa, so for the moment there’s nothing fixed for Britain, though he said he hopes it may one day be possible to build on the good results of Pope Benedict’s trip to the country.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis had words of praise and thanks for Turkey and the Salesian fathers of Istanbul, for all the good and “hidden” work they do for countless refugees from the Iraqi and Syrian wars.
Retracing the steps of his recent pilgrimage to Turkey during his general audience Wednesday, the Pope also highlighted the constant need for prayer on the journey towards full communion with the Orthodox Church and reiterated the importance of Christians and Muslims working together in solidarity for peace.
Rain pounded umbrellas in St. Peter’s Square Wednesday, forcing the audience to be split in two – as the Pope himself noted greeting the ‘brave’ pilgrims before him. Before heading out among the thousands in the Square the Pope had first greeted the sick and disabled who were gathered in the Paul VI audience hall, urging them to pray to Jesus this Advent season for the strength to carry on and blessing them before he left.
After touring through the square – despite the driving rain – the Pope also invited pilgrims to greet the sick and disabled who were following the catechesis through giant screens with applause. Then he began to speak of his three day trip to Turkey over the weekend, highlighting the ecumenical and interfaith elements of his visit.
Below please find a Vatican Radio transcript and translation of the Holy Father’s catechesis after the video:
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning. It’s not a great day is it? The weather is quite bad…but you are brave and face it anyway! On we go! This audience is taking place in two different places, as we do when it rains: here in the square and then there are the sick in the Paul VI Hall. I met with them already, I greeted them, and they are following the audience on giant screens, because they are sick and cannot be out in the rain. Let’s greet them there with a round of applause, everyone!
Today I would like to share some things with you from my pilgrimage to Turkey from Friday to Sunday last. Today we retrace the steps of the pilgrimage I made to Turkey from Friday to Sunday last. Just as I asked you to prepare for and accompany me on that journey with prayer, today I ask you to give thanks to the Lord for its success and that it may bear fruits of dialogue in our relations with our Orthodox and Muslims brethren, as well as on the path to peace between peoples.
Firstly, I feel I must renew my gratitude to the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the President for Religious Affairs and other Authorities, who welcomed me with respect and guaranteed the good order of events. I fraternally thank the Bishops of the Catholic Church in Turkey, for their commitment, as well as the Ecumenical Patriarch, His Holiness Bartholomew I, for the warm welcome I received. Blessed Paul VI and John Paul II, who both went to Turkey, and John XXIII, who was Papal Delegate in that nation, protected my pilgrimage from heaven, which took place eight years after that of my predecessor Benedict XVI. That land is dear to every Christian, especially as the birthplace of the Apostle Paul, for having hosted the first seven councils, and for the presence, near Ephesus, of the “House of Virgin Mary”. Tradition tells us that the Virgin lived there, after the coming of the Holy Spirit.
On the first day of the Apostolic Trip I paid homage at the Mausoleum of Atatürk and I met the authorities of the country, which is overwhelmingly Muslim, but whose constitution establishes it as a secular state. It is forgetfulness of God, and not His glorification, that generates violence. This is why I insisted on the importance of Christians and Muslims working together for solidarity, peace and justice, stating that each State must assure citizens and religious communities real freedom of worship.
Today, before going to greet the sick I was with a group of Christians and Muslims who were at a meeting organized by the Council for Interreligious Dialogue, under the leadership of Cardinal Tauran, and they too have expressed this desire to continue in this fraternal dialogue between Catholics, Christians and Muslims.
On the second day I visited places that are symbolic of the different faiths in Turkey. I did so, feeling in my heart an invocation to the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, the merciful Father of all humanity. The Eucharistic Celebration was the central focus of that day, which brought together in the Cathedral pastors and faithful of the various Catholic rites in Turkey. The Ecumenical Patriarch, the Armenian Patriarchal Apostolic Vicar, the Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan and representatives Protestant communities also attended. Together we invoked the Holy Spirit, He who generates unity in the Church: unity in faith, unity in charity, unity in inner cohesion. The People of God, in the richness of its traditions and articulations, is called to be guided by the Holy Spirit, in a constant attitude of openness, docility and obedience. Our journey of ecumenical dialogue is also the journey of our unity, of our Catholic Church, it is the Holy Spirit who does all the work. It’s up to us to let him do it, to welcome him and be inspired by him.
The third and final day, the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle, offered the ideal context to consolidate fraternal relations between the Bishop of Rome, Successor of Peter, and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, which according to tradition is the Church founded by the Apostle Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. Together with His Holiness Bartholomew I, I renewed the mutual commitment to continue on the path towards the restoration of full communion between Catholics and Orthodox. Together we signed a Joint Declaration, a further stage on this journey. It was particularly significant that this act took place at the end of the solemn liturgy of the Feast of St. Andrew, which I attended with great joy, and which was followed by a double Blessing imparted by the Patriarch of Constantinople and by the Bishop of Rome. Indeed, prayer is the basis for any fruitful ecumenical dialogue under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who as I said, is the one who creates unity.
My last meeting – which was both beautiful and painful – was with a group of young refugees, guests of the Salesians. It was very important for me to meet some refugees from the war zones of the Middle East, both to express to them my closeness and that of the Church, and to emphasize the value of welcoming [refugees], an area in which Turkey has also shown a great commitment. I want to thank Turkey once again for its welcoming so many refugees and sincerely thank the Salesians of Istanbul. But, these Salesian who work with refugees, they are so good! I also met other priests and a German Jesuit and others who work with refugees but that Salesian oratory of refugees is a beautiful thing, it is a hidden work. Thank you so much to all of those people who work with refugees. Let us pray for all the refugees and IDPs, and that the causes of this painful scourge be overcome.
Dear brothers and sisters, may Almighty and Merciful God continue to protect the Turkish people, their leaders and the representatives of different religions. May they build together a future of peace, so that Turkey can be a place of peaceful coexistence between different religions and cultures. We also pray that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit will make this Apostolic Journey fruitful and favor missionary fervor in the Church, to announce to all peoples, in respect and fraternal dialogue, that the Lord Jesus is truth, peace and love. He alone is the Lord. Thank You.
(from Vatican Radio)…