DEFEND RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF THE WHOLE HUMAN FAMILY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 7, 2002 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received the Letters of Credence of the new ambassador of Great Britain, Kathryn Frances Colvin.

Referring to the ambassador's words about the terrorist attacks on September 11 and injustice in the world, the Pope said: "It calls for a resolute and uncompromising commitment on the part of individuals, peoples, and nations to defending the inalienable rights and dignity of every member of the human family. At the same time, it demands the building of a global culture of solidarity which will find expression not simply in terms of more effective economic or political organization but more importantly in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation in the service of the common good."

After the attacks on September 11, the Holy Father continued, "the international community has recognized the urgent need to combat the phenomenon of well-financed and highly-organized international terrorism, which represents a formidable and immediate threat to world peace. ... As an essential part of its fight against all forms of terrorism, the international community is called to undertake new and creative political, diplomatic and economic initiatives aimed at relieving the scandalous situations of gross injustice, oppression and marginalization which continue to oppress countless members of the human family."

"The building of such a global culture of solidarity is perhaps the greatest moral task confronting humanity today." This, he added, is a challenge for developed countries in the West where Christian values are being challenged by cultural models which leads to "indifferentism, hedonism, consumerism and a practical materialism that can erode and even subvert the foundations of social life." The Holy Father expressed his confidence that the United Kingdom continues to offer "credible testimony to their convictions through their programs of educational, charitable and social outreach."

John Paul II spoke also about the need "for an uncompromising defense of the rights of the family and the legal protection of the institution of marriage." When the family unit is weakened, he affirmed, "grave difficulties and problems for society as a whole" occur.

"Another area of concern in which Christians can offer a privileged witness is that of respect for life in the face of attempts to legitimize abortion, the production of human embryos for research and processes of genetic manipulation such as the cloning of human beings. Neither human life nor the human person," he concluded, "can ever legitimately be treated as an object to be manipulated or as a disposable commodity." All human beings, because of their dignity as creatures, "demand the greatest respect and vigilance on the part of individuals, communities, nations and international bodies."

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