Bishops to G8 leaders: poor must not pay for the crisis
Rome (AsiaNews) – The poor must not to pay for the financial crisis that is affecting the world. The G8 must take "shared measures aimed at protecting the poor and helping the developing countries." This is what the presidents of bishop’s conferences from the Group of Eight nations have asked of the leaders of the worlds most industrialised countries, in a message which particularly emphasizes the importance of maintaining the commitments they made to assist developing countries, to continue peacekeeping efforts and not to allow further changes in climate.
The initiative of the presidents of the Episcopal conferences from Italy, USA, Japan, Russia, England, France, Germany, Canada and Scotland follows and points to the initiative taken by Benedict XVI who, on the eve of the G20 in Britain wrote to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. As before, the bishops repeat that "The current crisis has raised the spectre of the abolition or drastic reduction of international aid schemes, especially for Africa and other under developed countries. Development aid, including trade and financial support to less developed countries and the cancellation of foreign debt of the poorest and most indebted, was not the cause of the crisis and, for reasons of fundamental justice must not be the victim. Our moral tradition commits the Church to protecting human life and dignity, especially of the poorest and most vulnerable members of the human family. In the faces of the poor, the Catholic Church sees the face of Christ , who we are called to serve in countries throughout the world. "
"Ironically - continues the document - the poor who have contributed less to the economic crisis that confronts the world today, will be those who most likely will suffer the most devastation, as they are relegated to the margins by a crushing poverty. In light of these facts, the members of the G8 countries should face their responsibilities by promoting dialogue with other major economic powers to help prevent further financial crises. In addition, they should honour their commitments to an increase in development assistance to reduce global poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals, especially in African countries. This requires a deeper partnership with developing countries so that these people can become active agents of their growth, participating in political, governmental, economic and social reforms for the common good. "
"In particular - continues the letter - it is important to strengthen the processes of peacekeeping so that armed conflict will not continue to deprive the countries of the resources needed for development. Similarly, the poor countries and their peoples who have been lesser agents of global climate change are at increased risk from serious consequences of this phenomenon. "
"As pastors and leaders of the Church - said the document - we particularly care about the impact that climate change will produce on the life of the latter. Thus commitments must be established and mechanisms created to mitigate further climate change, helping the poor and developing countries to adapt to these effects and to adopt appropriate technology for sustainable development. Protecting the dispossessed and the planet are not conflicting ideals rather they are moral priorities, for all peoples of this world. The G8 summit takes place in the shadow of a global economic crisis but its out come may be capable of bringing a light of hope to the world in which we live. By asking yourselves first and foremost how a determined policy affects the poor and defenceless, you can ensure the common good of all. As the human family - the bishops conclude - we are called to ensure our same benefits to the weakest members of our society".
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