VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 167
DATE 30-09-2014

Summary:
- Cardinal Parolin to the United Nations: unity of action for the common good
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts

___________________________________________________________

 Cardinal Parolin to the United Nations: unity of action for the common good
 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.

___________________________________________________________

 Audiences
 Vatican City, 30 September 2014 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father received in
audience Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, archbishop of Aparecida,
Brazil, president of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference, accompanied by
Archbishop Jose Belisario da Silva, of Sao Luis do Maranhao, deputy
president, and Bishop Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, auxiliary of Brasilia,
secretary general.
 On Monday, 29 September, the Holy Father received in audience:
 - Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops;
 - Msgr. Carlos Nannei of the prelature of Opus Dei, Argentina.

___________________________________________________________

 Other Pontifical Acts
 Vatican City, 30 September 2014 (VIS) - The Holy Father has appointed
Bishop John Stanley Kenneth Arnold, auxiliary of Westminster, England, as
bishop of Salford (area 1,800, population 2,603,000, Catholics 267,938,
priests 284, religious 280), England. He accepted the resignation from the
pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop Terence John Brain,
upon reaching the age limit.
___________________________________________________________

For more information and to search for documents refer to the site:
www.visnews.org and www.vatican.va

Copyright (VIS):  the news contained in the services of the Vatican
Information Service may be reproduced wholly or partially by quoting
the source:  V. I. S. - Vatican Information Service.
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/vis/vis_en.html

--- MPost/386 v1.21