Hello All!   
                   This Area is READ ONLY.  Do not post to this area.   
                   The following press release is Copyrighted by the   
                             Vatican Information Service.   
                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   
                                  VIS-Press releases   
      
   SHARED COMMITMENTS OF HOLY SEE AND BRITISH GOVERNMENT   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 17 SEP 2010 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a joint communique   
   released following a working dinner held this evening at Lancaster House   
   between British government representatives and the Holy See delegation.   
      
   "Her Majesty's Government hosted a dinner on 17 September for the Holy See   
   delegation accompanying Pope Benedict XVI on his official visit to the UK,   
   headed by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone. The UK side was headed   
   by William Hague, the Foreign Secretary. Those present included a number of   
   senior British government ministers and senior officials from the Holy See. The   
   discussion covered a range of areas of shared interest between the UK   
   government and the Holy See.   
      
   "Her Majesty's Government and the Holy See share a commitment to bringing an   
   end to poverty and underdevelopment. On the eve of a summit in New York to   
   review progress towards implementing the Millennium Development Goals, they   
   share the conviction that more needs to be done to address the unnecessary   
   suffering caused by hunger, diseases and illiteracy. Strong political   
   leadership and respect for the ethos of local communities are necessary in the   
   promotion of the right to life, food, health and development for all.   
      
   "The British Government and the Holy See share a conviction of the urgent need   
   for action to address the challenge of climate change. Action is needed at   
   every level from the governmental to the individual if we are to rapidly reduce   
   greenhouse gas emissions, to set in motion the transition to a global   
   low-carbon economy, and to assist poor and vulnerable countries to adapt to the   
   impacts of climate change that are already inevitable.   
      
   "We had a good exchange of views on a variety of social and economic issues,   
   recognising the essential role played by faith in the lives of individuals and   
   as part of the fabric of a strong, generous, tolerant society.   
      
   "The visit of Pope Benedict XVI provided the opportunity to develop a deeper   
   exchange of views between the Holy See and the UK Government. Tonight's   
   discussion provided a useful basis for both sides to continue to pursue   
   initiatives and discussions on areas of common interest to the UK and the Holy   
   See".   
   PV-UNITED KINGDOM/VIS 20100918 (380)   
      
   SUMMARY   
      
   --- MPost/386 v1.21   
    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)