Vatican City, 30 September 2014 (VIS) –
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin spoke yesterday at the
69th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, which
included a debate on the Transformative Development Agenda, among
other themes.
Cardinal Parolin, speaking in English,
emphasised that the Holy See values the United Nations' efforts to
ensure world peace, respect for human dignity, the protection of
persons, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, and harmonious
economic and social development. However, quoting Pope Francis, he
remarked that there is the danger of widespread indifference in our
time, affecting not only the field of politics but also economic and
social sectors, “since an important part of humanity does not share
in the benefits of progress and is in fact relegated to the status of
second-class citizens”. He added, “at times, such apathy is
synonymous with irresponsibility. This is the case today, when a
union of States, which was created with the fundamental goal of
saving generations from the horror of war that brings untold sorrow
to humanity, remains passive in the face of hostilities suffered by
defenceless populations”. In this context, the Cardinal repeated
Pope Francis' appeal to the international community this August to
“take action to end the humanitarian tragedy now under way” in
the north of Iraq.
He went on to speak in further detail
about the situation in Iraq and Syria, where “we are seeing a
totally new phenomenon: the existence of a terrorist organisation
which threatens all states, vowing to dissolve them and replace them
with a pseudo-religious world government”. Unfortunately, he
continued, even today “there are those who would presume to wield
power by coercing consciences … persecuting and murdering in the
name of God. These actions bring injury to entire ethnic groups,
populations and ancient cultures. It must be remembered that such
violence is born of a disregard for God and falsifies religion
itself, since religion aims at … making it clear that each human
being is the image of the Creator. In a world of global
communications, this new phenomenon has found followers in numerous
places, and has succeeded in attracting from around the world young
people who are often disillusioned by a widespread indifference and a
dearth of values in wealthier societies. This challenge, in all its
tragic aspects, should compel the international community to promote
a unified response, based on solid juridical criteria and a
collective willingness to cooperate for the common good”.
“To this end, the Holy See considers
it useful to focus attention on two major areas. The first is to
address the cultural and political origins of contemporary
challenges, acknowledging the need for innovative strategies to
confront these international problems in which cultural factors play
a fundamental role. The second area for consideration is a further
study of the effectiveness of international law today, namely its
successful implementation by those mechanisms used by the United
Nations to prevent war, stop aggressors, protect populations and help
victims”.
Cardinal Parolin continued, “The
situation today requires a more incisive understanding of this law,
giving particular attention to the 'responsibility to protect'. In
fact, one of the characteristics of the recent terrorist phenomenon
is that it disregards the existence of the state and, in fact, the
entire international order. … It also undermines and rejects all
existing juridical systems, attempting to impose dominion over
consciences and complete control over persons. The global nature of
this phenomenon, which knows no borders, is precisely why the
framework of international law offers the only viable way of dealing
with this urgent challenge. This reality requires a renewed United
Nations that undertakes to foster and preserve peace. … The present
situation, therefore, though indeed quite serious, is an occasion for
the member states of the United Nations Organisation to honour the
very spirit of the Charter of the United Nations by speaking out on
the tragic conflicts which are tearing apart entire peoples and
nations. It is disappointing that, up to now, the international
community has been characterised by contradictory voices and even by
silence with regard to the conflicts in Syria, the Middle East and
Ukraine. It is paramount that there be a unity of action for the
common good, avoiding the cross-fire of vetoes. … In summary, the
promotion of a culture of peace calls for renewed efforts in favour
of dialogue, cultural appreciation and cooperation, while respecting
the variety of sensibilities. … Ultimately, there must be a genuine
willingness to apply thoroughly the current mechanisms of law, while
at the same time remaining open to the implications of this crucial
moment. This will ensure a multilateral approach that will better
serve human dignity, and protect and advance integral human
development throughout the world”.
With reference to the approval of the
Transformative Development Agenda, Cardinal Parolin confirmed that
the Holy See welcomes the 'Sustainable Development Goals' proposed by
the Working Group (Open Working Group for Sustainable Goals), which
seek to address the structural causes of poverty by promoting
dignified work for all. “Nevertheless, and notwithstanding the
efforts of the United Nations and of many people of good will, the
number of the poor and excluded is increasing not only in developing
nations but also in developed ones. The 'responsibility to protect',
as stated earlier, refers to extreme aggressions against human
rights, cases of serious contempt for humanitarian law or grave
natural catastrophes. In a similar way, there is a need to make legal
provision for protecting people against other forms of aggression,
which are less evident but just as serious and real. For example, a
financial system governed only by speculation and the maximisation of
profits, or one in which individual persons are regarded as
disposable items in a culture of waste, could be tantamount, in
certain circumstances, to an offence against human dignity. It
follows, therefore, that the United Nations and its member states
have an urgent and grave responsibility for the poor and excluded,
mindful always that social and economic justice is a essential
condition for peace”, he concluded.
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