HOLY SEE ADDRESSES THE U.N. ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2003 (VIS) - On April 30, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations, addressed the 11th session of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), a follow-up meeting to the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

He noted that "it is important to recall the first Principle of the Rio Declaration, which states that 'human beings are at the center of concerns for sustainable development. ... The Holy See has often emphasized that the human being is central to sustainable development. We have to reflect on human ecology; we need to start an ecological conversion; we have to change our models of production and consumption; we have to examine seriously the problem of poverty with all its multidimensional elements."

He stated that "the task now is how to make the CSD contribute more effectively to real and positive outcomes; how to revitalize the importance of multilateralism, which is based upon the values of responsibility, solidarity and dialogue."

"There are many gains," affirmed Archbishop Migliore, "which can be attained through a broader participation of stakeholders and through the active involvement of all actors responsible for implementation, ... on the basis of the principle of subsidiarity as applied to global governance." He underscored the importance of "acknowledging that persons living in poverty must be considered as participating subjects. Individuals and peoples are not tools but protagonists of their future and agents of their own development."

The archbishop concluded by noting that "one of the principal novelties arising from the WSSD was the number of partnership agreements made by governments, international organizations and other stakeholders coming from business and civil society." In this regard "clear guidelines, criteria and appropriate monitoring mechanisms" must be set.

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TELEGRAM FOR EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 2, 2003 (VIS) - Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, sent the following telegram in the Holy Father's name to civil and religious authorities in Turkey for Wednesday's night's earthquake in the region of Bingol:

"Having learned the news of the earthquake which tragically struck the region of Bingol, Turkey, the Holy Father has charged me with informing you that he is united in thought and prayer to all the people affected by this new drama. He entrusts all those who died in this catastrophe to the mercy of God Almighty. He asks God to sustain the injured and families who have lost loved ones and goods. He encourages those who are working in the rescue effort, who are sometimes risking their lives, to do everything possible to look for and help survivors. The Pope entrusts all the people of Turkey to divine benevolence."

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GLOBALIZATION MUST BENEFIT THE ENTIRE HUMAN FAMILY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 2, 2003 (VIS) - John Paul II this morning welcomed members of the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences, who are meeting in Rome for their plenary session. Noting that their theme is"The Governance of Globalization," he said he hoped their work "will help to shed light on how globalization may best be guided and regulated for the benefit of the entire human family."

The Pope began his address in English by stating that "the processes by which capital, goods, information, technology and knowledge are exchanged and circulate throughout the world today often elude the traditional mechanisms of regulatory control put in place by national governments and international agencies. Special interests and the demands of the market frequently predominate over concern for the common good. This tends to leave the weaker members of society without adequate protection and can subject entire peoples and cultures to a formidable struggle for survival.

"Moreover, it is disturbing to witness a globalization that exacerbates the conditions of the needy, that does not sufficiently contribute to resolving situations of hunger, poverty and social inequality, that fails to safeguard the natural environment. These aspects of globalization can give rise to extreme reactions, leading to excessive nationalism, religious fanaticism and even acts of terrorism."

The Pope underscored that "all of this is far-removed from the concept of an ethically responsible globalization capable of treating all peoples as equal partners and not as passive instruments." He said it thus becomes clear that "globalization in itself is not the problem. Rather, difficulties arise from the lack of effective mechanisms for giving it proper direction. ... This goal cannot be achieved without guidance from the international community and adequate regulation on the part of the worldwide political establishment."

"In fact, in my Message for the 2003 World Day of Peace," the Holy Father said in closing, "I remarked that now is the time 'to work together for a new constitutional organization of the human family', an organization that would be in a position to meet the new demands of a globalized world. This does not mean creating a 'global super-State', but continuing the processes already underway."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 2, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience seven prelates of the Syro-Malabar rite from India on their "ad limina" visit:

- Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, C.SS.R., major archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, accompanied by auxiliary Bishops Thomas Chakiat and Sebastian Adayanthrath.

- Archbishop Joseph Powathil of Changanacherry, accompanied by auxiliary Bishop Joseph Permathottam.

- Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy of Trichur.

- Archbishop George Valiamattam of Tellicherry.

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JOHN PAUL II BEGINS APOSTOLIC TRIP TO SPAIN TOMORROW

VATICAN CITY, MAY 2, 2003 - Tomorrow John Paul II will begin his 99th apostolic trip outside of Italy in his almost twenty-five years as pope. This will be his fifth visit to Spain, following those made in 1982, 1984, 1989 and 1993. The Holy Father will travel to Madrid, staying there Saturday and Sunday.

The Pope will depart tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. from Rome's Fiumicino Airport and is scheduled to arrive at Barajas International Airport in Madrid at noon. There John Paul II will be received by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. After a welcome ceremony in which he will give a speech, the Pope will proceed to the apostolic nunciature where he will reside during his trip. There, in mid-afternoon, he will receive Jose Maria Aznar, president of the government. After meeting Aznar, the Holy Father will go to the Cuatro Vientos Air Base on the outskirts of Madrid where he will participate in a get-together with thousands of young people.

On Sunday morning, May 4, in the Plaza de Colon in the center of the capital, John Paul II will canonize Blesseds Pedro Poveda Castroverde, Jose Mari Rubio y Peralta, Genoveva Torres Morales, Angela de la Cruz and Maria Maravillas de Jesus. In the afternoon, the Pope is scheduled to receive the King and Queen at the nunciature and from there he will go to the airport for a farewell ceremony. The papal airplane will depart from Madrid at 6:45 p.m. and is scheduled to land in Rome at 8:15 p.m.

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PLENARY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES ACADEMY OPENS TODAY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 2, 2003 (VIS) - The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, under the presidency of Edmond Malinvaud of the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies in Paris, opened its ninth plenary session this morning in the Vatican. Most of the 35 academicians, who come from all over the world and are specialists in one or more fields, are expected to attend.

According to a communique from the academy, it "was founded in 1994 by Pope John Paul II with the aim of promoting the study and progress of social, economic, political and legal sciences, therefore providing the Church with useful elements to further study and develop its social doctrine. After tackling two important topics - first, labor and employment, in the 1996, 1997 and 1999 sessions and then democracy, in the 1998 and 2000 sessions - the academy has begun to examine globalization."

This is a topic dear to the Holy Father, adds the press release, who, in 1997, told academy members: "We must acknowledge that in the framework of a 'globalized' economy, the ethical and legal regulation of the market is objectively more difficult. Indeed, the political initiatives of individual countries are not sufficient to implement it effectively; therefore, a dialogue is necessary among the great nations as well as the consolidation of a world democratic order, with institutions that represent equally all the interests of the entire human family."

The press release notes that for the 2003 plenary "the academy has decided to adopt in succession the various points of view expressed on this topic by political sciences, law, philosophy, sociology and economics."

The morning session today was opened by Archbishop Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, the dicastery that directly follows the work of the academy. This afternoon will be devoted to the point of view of jurists and will be chaired by Harvard law professor, Mary Ann Glendon.

On Saturday, May 3 the morning will be dedicated to ethical and philosophical perspectives and the afternoon session will focus on the point of view of sociologists. The scientific point of view will again be studied on May 5 in the afternoon. On the final day, May 6, there will be a look at the economists' point of view in the morning and a summary of the plenary's work in the closing session.

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