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   
      
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    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.   
      
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    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.   
      
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    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.   
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