VATICAN CITY, 6 JUL 2009 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican the Holy Father received the Letters of Credence of Carl-Henri Guiteau, the new envoy extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Haiti to the Holy See.
In his address, the Pope recalled the natural disasters that have caused serious damage to the country over recent months. In this context he also underlined how "the country's vulnerability to extreme weather ... has also led to a greater awareness of the need to protect creation".
"Environmental protection", he went on, "is a challenge for everyone because it involves defending a collective asset. ... This responsibility must bring present generations to concern themselves about future generations. The reckless exploitation of the resources of nature and its consequences, which have a particularly serious impact on the poorest, cannot be effectively dealt with except through political and economic decisions that accord with human dignity, and through effective international co-operation".
After highlighting how "signs of hope are not lacking" in Haiti, Benedict XVI encouraged "efforts that contribute to promoting the protection of life and to restoring importance to the institution of the family, especially by reclaiming the value of marriage in society".
"It is vital to give real support to families in most need", he said, "and to ensure effective protection for women and children who at times are victims of violence, abandonment and injustice".
"The education of the young is also a priority for the future of the nation", the Holy Father went on. "This is an important task, vital for the quality of human life both at individual and community level. In fact, various forms of cultural privation often lie at the roots of poverty". In this context he also expressed his satisfaction for the high esteem in which the educational institutions of the Catholic Church are held in the country.
Finally the Pope addressed some words to the Catholic community of Haiti, encouraging them to "serve society, ever attentive to the needs of the poorest and seeking the unity of the nation, in fraternity and solidarity. This", he concluded, "is an authentic sign of hope for all Haitians".
CD/CREDENTIALS/HAITI:GUITEAU VIS 20090706 (370)
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