Card Parolin tells UN that Mideast shows that development is impossible without peace
The most effective way to safeguard the dignity of all in the Middle East is a renewed commitment to the rule of law and freedom of religion and conscience. The Holy See and the Vatican State become parties to the UN Convention against Corruption.
New York (AsiaNews) – In his address on Thursday to the UN General Assembly in New York, the Vatican's Secretary of State Card Pietro Parolin outlined the Holy See's views about world affairs, focusing on integral human development, based on the right to life, which "is impossible without peace", as tragically shown by the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Parolin noted that “Only two days ago in Assisi, Pope Francis, together with numerous other world religious leaders, stressed the importance of dialogue as a privileged way to be peacemakers. Conflicts not only render the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals at the regional level absolutely impossible, but also destroy so many human resources, means of production and cultural heritage.”
In his opening welcoming the approval by many countries of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris accord on climate change, he noted however that these goals cannot be realistically reached without significant changes in the world's economic systems.
In particular, he spoke of the "ecological debt" that rich countries have towards those in need, calling for “alternative finance systems capable of ensuring that financial resources are both accessible to and sustainable for the poorest."
Development is not possible without peace, Card Parolin said. "The enormous and ill-fated effect of war is a downward spiral from which there is often no escape” as shown in war-torn areas of the world, most notably Syria, which has "been overrun by all kinds of armed groups."
“The Holy See also believes that in the Middle East a renewed commitment in favour of the rule of law and of freedom of religion and of conscience is the most effective way to safeguard the dignity of all.”
“In the Middle East, we see the terrible consequences of a spiral of war: many lives destroyed; fallen states; collapsed ceasefires; unsuccessful peace initiatives; and failed attempts to resolve the fundamental causes of conflict in Syria, Iraq and Libya, to find a solution to the crisis of the presidency in Lebanon, and to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This persistent failure has dampened the hopes and promises of all who consider that region sacred and holy.”
“We can also witness these failures in the long-standing conflicts that continue to oppress and take the lives of so many in South Sudan, the Great Lakes, and now for two and half years in Eastern Ukraine.”
Another factor that degrades “social coexistence in countries and undermine the whole international community” is “the scourge of terrorism.”
“In the course of recent years, we have seen the metastasis of terrorism to so many parts of the world. Neighbours to Syria and Iraq have increasingly become victims of innumerable barbaric acts. Beyond the Middle East, atrocious acts of terrorism have instilled fear in the daily life of so many across the globe.”
“Happy for the positive outcome in Colombia, the heartfelt hope of the Holy See is that that, through the facilitation of the international community, various forms of contact and dialogue will be pursued to resolve ongoing conflicts.”
Finally, addressing the issue before the Assembly, the migration crisis, he stressed "that 65 million people have been compelled to flee from their homes and communities, because of persecution, conflicts, widespread violence and hunger, and devastated lands."
After expressing gratitude and appreciation towards Lebanon and Jordan for accepting large numbers of refugees from Syria, the cardinal encouraged effective action to help migrants, addressing the root causes of migration.
He noted that "migration and development are tightly linked," and "The consequences of the mass movement of refugees and migrants threaten to weaken our commitment to the values of solidarity and hospitality towards those in need. These values stand at the heart of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy."
Lastly, Card Parolin also deposited on behalf of the Holy See the instrument of ratification of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
.png)
11/08/2020 09:29
25/10/2022 12:13
