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Holy See addresses UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Migration in our Time
MIGRATION IN OUR TIME
VATICAN CITY, OCT 7, 1998 (VIS) - Yesterday in the Vatican was the second
day of the World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees.
The day's central theme was "Migration in Our Time."
During the morning session there were four speeches. Professor Hugo
Graeme, from the geography department of the University of Adelaide,
Australia, spoke on "Key Issues in International Migration Today: Trends";
Professor Jose de Souza Martins from the Sociology department at the
University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, focussed his intervention on the
phenomenon of "Internal Migration." The theme "The Migrant in an Era of
Globalization" was developed by Professor Eddy Lee, director of the
Cross-Department Analyses and Reports Team, International Labor Office,
Geneva, Switzerland. Hania Zlotnik, from the United Nations Mortality and
Migration Section, spoke on the theme "Women in Migration."
In the afternoon, Professor Charles B. Keely, chairman of the Demography
department at Georgetown University, U.S.A., presented a paper on
"Migration for Professional, Cultural and Academic Reasons." Lastly, Irene
Kahn, United Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees, gave a speech on "The
Sufferings of the Refugees."
This morning there were four speakers. Bishop Kurt Koch of Basel,
Switzerland, spoke on pluralism, a basic principal of modern society.
Archbishop Francesco Gioia, council secretary, addressed the topic
"Welcoming the Foreigner Yesterday and Today." Prof. Adriano Bausola,
rector of Sacred Heart Catholic University, spoke on "Principles and
Criteria for a fruitful coexistence beyond racism and intolerance." Prof.
Graziano Battistella, director of the Scalabrini Migration Center in the
Philippines. concluded with a talk on "Clandestine Migration, with
particular reference to the Asian Experience."
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ARCHBISHOP MARTINO ADDRESSES U.N. ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
VATICAN CITY, OCT 7, 1998 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato Martino, Holy See
permanent observer to the United Nations. spoke yesterday afternoon before
the Third Committee of the 53rd session of the General Assembly on Item
100, "Social Development Including Questions Relating to the World Social
Situation and to Youth, Aging, Disabled Persons and the Family."
Recalling the March 1995 U.N. Summit on Social Development in Copenhagen,
he pointed to the role of the Holy See which, he said, "hopes that the
commitments solemnly assumed ... will be faithfully implemented." Among
those commitments: "recognizing the key role of the family in social
development; respecting the rights of parents; reducing all forms of
poverty and eliminating extreme poverty, accelerating economic and social
development."
Archbishop Martino affirmed the Holy See's satisfaction at "the Secretary
General's launching of the International Year of Older Persons," when
society can be reminded of their gifts, talents, knowledge and experiences,
and become "more aware of their particular needs."
He then turned to the question of disabled persons, saying that we must
"see those with disabilities as people, not merely the disabled. ... The
United Nations must renew its recognition of the sacred dignity of all
human life, especially the most vulnerable, as well as the sick and those
with disabilities."
On the issue of social development, the apostolic nuncio remarked that
"the elimination of absolute poverty" is the key to development. He
recalled that "the horrors of war have not only taken so many human lives
and forced millions of others from their homes, they have also disrupted
industry, agriculture and trade, blocked the provision of aid and even
turned back the clock of development."
"Each and every one of us," he affirmed, calling for international
solidarity, "must be prepared to deal with the stains of blood, hatred and
lack of concern. Answers must be found before the work toward social
development can continue."
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HOLY SEE ADDRESSES U.N. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES
VATICAN CITY, OCT 8, 1998 (VIS) - Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, head of the
Holy see delegation to the executive council of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, addressed the assembly on October 6.
He began by pointing out that "the theme of international solidarity and
sharing the burdens of assistance to refugees is a central tenet of the
social doctrine and commitments of the Holy See. In 1992 it published a
document on this subject entitled 'Refugees, A Challenge to Solidarity'."
Archbishop Bertello affirmed that "the refugee is not an additional
burden for society, but a person, with their dignity who, arriving at our
doorstep, challenges us and calls out to us. Unfortunately, moving from
declarations of principle to practical programs of action is not always
easy. ... The international community is called to act in a decisive way
and to give proof of concrete solidarity."
The Holy See hopes, he added, that a solution could be found to assist
all refugees, especially those "whose condition of refugee becomes almost a
permanent way of life."
He then expressed the Holy See's concern "for the tendencies found in the
legislation of certain countries to restrict both the entry of those
seeking asylum and the granting of the status of refugee by means of
increased border controls, restrictions in granting visas and by expelling
those asking asylum who entered illegally. Certainly, the right of each
State to check the entry of foreigners onto its territory is not in
question."
The head of delegation stated in conclusion that there appears, however,
to be "an orientation which seems to reflect more the will to protect
oneself from refugees than to protect the refugees." He asked that
countries assisting refugees "assure, among other things, the unity of
families."
BUSINESS, GLOBALIZATION, COMBATTING POVERTY: FOCUS OF PAPAL TALK
VATICAN CITY, OCT 10, 1998 (VIS) - Today at noon in the Paul VI Hall, Pope
John Paul met with participants in the 20th World Congress of the
International Christian Union of Business Executives (UNIAPAC), as well as
with those taking part in the Italian National Meeting of the Societies of
St. Vincent de Paul.
Reminding UNIAPAC members that "the world economy is rapidly moving
towards a wider interdependence of markets," he added: "your understanding
of globalization must not be limited simply to economic realities. ...
Globalization at the economic level must not neglect the inalienable
dignity of every human being and the fact that the goods of creation have a
universal destination."
"You also have the duty," said the Holy Father, speaking French, "to
promote solidarity in all economic processes. Globalization must involve a
great participation by people, and not their exclusion or their
marginalization. ... No person must be excluded from economic spheres, but
on the contrary each one must be able to benefit from technological and
social progress, as well as the fruits of creation."
In brief comments to the English-speaking members of UNIAPAC, the Pope
said: "Never cease to promote the good of the human person by ensuring that
the principles of justice and solidarity are respected in business
enterprises and relations." He also spoke in Spanish.
Then, addressing participants in the meeting of the Societies of St.
Vincent de Paul, he affirmed: "In the face of the scandal of old and new
forms of poverty also present in today's opulent societies, how can we
continue to live the teaching of Blessed Frederick Ozanam? How can we
answer the needs of so many who are forced to leave their native country,
refugees and illegal immigrants, families without rights and without the
necessities of life; so many unemployed, elderly people alone and
abandoned, ill people and people who are exploited and enslaved by avidity
and egoism?"
Federico Ozanam, a lay man born in Milan and co-founder of the Societies
of St. Vincent de Paul, was beatified by the Pope in Paris on August 22, 1997.
The Pope encouraged them in their good works and urged them "to be in
Italian society worthy disciples of Frederick Ozanam, carrying on his work."
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