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SOLIDARITY AND PROMOTION
OF THE COMMON GOOD
VATICAN CITY, SEP 24, 2005 (VIS) - Archbishop Celestino Migliore,
permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations,
participated yesterday in the general debate of the 60th Session
of the United Nations General Assembly, being held in New
York.
Speaking in English, Archbishop Migliore indicated that, although
the Holy See approves much of what is proposed in the summit's
final document, "the lack of consensus on arms control
and non-proliferation issues is regrettable."
He also stressed that "the Holy See understands the references
to both the Cairo and Beijing International Conferences and
to reproductive health ... in the sense that it set out in
its reservations and statements of interpretation at those
Conferences, that is, as applying to a holistic concept of
health that does not consider abortion or access to abortion
as a dimension of those terms."
We are living, he said, "in an interdependent but fragile
society and, in many places, peoples' best interests are not
served well. I should like to mention here but three specific
areas of ethical challenge in this regard: solidarity with
the poor; the promotion of the common good; and a sustainable
environment."
On the subject of human rights and cultural diversity, the
permanent observer pointed out that "international law
and its institutions are vital for the application and enforcement
of human rights. Likewise, we should not lose sight of the
importance that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
attaches to the incorporation of its principles into national
law, and to education in fostering a rights-respecting culture."
"The reference to duties in the Universal Declaration
reminds us that rights usually entail responsibilities; and
that if we expect our own rights to be respected, we must
respect the rights of others. ... A greater sense of universal
human duties would benefit the cause of peace, because awareness
of our mutual responsibility acknowledges duties as essential
to a social order which does not depend upon the will or power
of any individual or group."
In closing, Archbishop Migliore turned to the question of
religions, cultures and civilizations, affirming that "The
Holy See supports the initiatives in the field of inter-faith
cooperation and dialogue between civilizations especially
where ... they form consciences, foster common moral values,
and promote inter-cultural understanding and proactive commitments.
Otros Temas:
International
Cooperation at a Crossroads |
