TO FIGHT HUNGER IS TO COOPERATE IN THE DESIGN OF CREATION

VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 2006 (VIS) - Made public today was the speech given by Msgr. Renato Volante, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO), during the 28th session of the FAO Conference for the Near East, which was held in San'a, Yemen from March 12 to 16.

  In his English-language address, Msgr. Volante emphasized the need for rural development and food production in order to guarantee food security to all mankind, recalling the Holy See's particular sensitivity "to the question of fighting poverty, hunger and malnutrition." The Holy See, he went on, "confirms the availability of the Catholic Church and her various sectors and institutions to cooperate" in this field. This support should be considered "not only as a possibility of logistical support, but also as a source of ideal and programmatic inspiration."

  He concluded: "In guaranteeing to every person the possibility of having a qualitative standard of life and adequate food security, we participate in the great design of Creation and we have the chance to put common values before individual interests. International relations today, following the desire of all people to peaceful coexistence, require new forms of solidarity and communion in the implementation of programs and action, according to the fundamental principles of humanity and justice."
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