CHURCH SUPPORTS PROMOTERS OF INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 7, 2006 (VIS) - Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States, delivered a talk at the Rome headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), during the 23rd session of the intergovernmental committee for Food Security, which was held from October 30 to November 4.

  In the course of this meeting, on October 30 and 31, the Special Forum for a World Free of Hunger took place to study the progress made in achieving the goals of the 1996 World Food Summit.

  Archbishop Mamberti, having communicated the Pope's greetings to participants, and his interest in their activities, said: "Beating hunger in the world is a task that needs time to achieve. ... Despite the efforts of the FAO, ... of intergovernmental organizations and of various other associations, we note a persistence, even an increase in the impediments and imbalances that prevent millions of men and women from obtaining adequate nourishment."

  "The plight of the multitudes whose right to life is in danger must continue to concern us and touch our consciences so that our behavior, wherever we may be, does not contribute to aggravating the inequalities between rich countries and poor ones. Hunger and malnutrition are unacceptable in a world that has levels of production, of resources and of know-how capable of putting an end to this scourge and its dramatic consequences."

  "It is not the Church's vocation," the archbishop concluded, "to propose political, economic or technical solutions to meet the problems of society. However, in her mission to announce the Good News to all nations, she feels particularly close to those who live in conditions of poverty, suffering and malnutrition, and wishes to help them with the means at her disposal. She is always ready to support those who work to strengthen international solidarity and promote justice among people, especially those who live in direct contact with people undergoing harsh trials."
DELSS/HUNGER/FAO:MAMBERTI                        VIS 20061107 (330)