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Skriven 2006-05-18 22:24:12 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                               VIS-Press releases

WE ARE ALL OUR BROTHER'S KEEPERS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 18, 2006 (VIS) - Benedict XVI today received the Letters of
Credence of five new ambassadors to the Holy See: Moukhtar Wawa Dahab from
Chad; Amitava Tripathi from India; Domingos Dias Pereira Mascarenhas from Cape
Verde; Valeriu Bobutac from Moldova; and Anne Maree Plunkett from Australia.

"You belong," said the Pope in French addressing the five new ambassadors
together, "to the great family of diplomats who, throughout the world, strive
to build bridges between countries with the aim of creating and reaffirming
relations between peoples, both in the area of fraternal solidarity and in that
of economic and cultural exchanges. ... This ... presupposes firm will and
breadth of vision, in order not to reduce the decisions that must be taken to
mere responses to the urgent needs of the moment."

"In order for this to happen, it is not enough to decide on peace or
collaboration among nations. What is required is a solid commitment that does
not seek only the interest of ... a particular section of society, to the
detriment of the general interest, but that aims above all at the common good
of a whole country, and ... of humanity entire. In this age of globalization,
it is important that the management of public life does not depend ... only
upon economic considerations, the search for ever-increasing profit, and the
inconsiderate use of the planet's resources to the detriment of peoples,
especially the least favored, thus jeopardizing the long-term future of the
world."

Peace, the Pope went on, "is rooted in respect for religious liberty, which is
a fundamental and primordial aspect of the freedom of belief of individuals and
of the freedom of peoples. It is important that, in whatever part of the world,
everyone can follow the religion they choose, and practice it openly and
without fear, because no one can base their existence only on material
wellbeing. Accepting this individual and collective dimension will, without
doubt, have beneficial effects on social life."

The Holy Father concluded his address by calling on the international community
to show more concern for people than for mere economic questions. "It is our
duty," he said, "to be responsible for one another and for the progress of the
world, because no one can answer as Cain did to God: 'Am I my brother's
keeper?'"

The Pope then gave each diplomat a written copy of a speech addressing the
particular situation in his or her own country. To the ambassador from Chad the
Holy Father expresses his hope that, "through dialogue between the parties
concerned, violence may cease and a time of reconciliation arrive," and that
"leaders of the region may act with determination in favor of justice and
peace."

The Holy Father congratulates the Indian diplomat for his country's efforts to
resolve, "with negotiations and peaceful methods, the long running controversy
with Pakistan," and highlights how "increasing dialogue and cooperation is
essential in order to face other challenges in the region, such as the violence
associated with political and religious extremism." In his discourse to the
Moldavian ambassador, Benedict XVI explains how "the Church naturally takes to
heart the debate over the status of Transdnistria. While fully appreciating the
complexity of the question, I urge your government to persevere in the search
for a peaceful solution, and to work in harmony with the organs of the European
Union and the Council of Europe."

Addressing the Australian representative, the Holy Father writes of his joy at
the celebration of World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, and highlights the "respect
for transcendent order that has led Australians to recognize the fundamental
importance of marriage and stable domestic life at the heart of society." In
his speech to the Cape Verde ambassador, the Pope looks forward to "a new
impulse of international solidarity with the African continent, subject to such
harsh trials, that it may start down the path of integral development,
reconciliation and peace."
CD/LETTERS CREDENCE/... VIS 060518 (670)

SUMMARY

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