SANCTITY OF LIFE AND FAMILY TOP LIST OF POPE'S CONCERNS

Pope Urges List To Become "Central Concerns of Political Leaders"

VATICAN, January 10, 2002 (LSN.ca) - In his State of the World address
yesterday, Pope John Paul II mentioned the sanctity of life and promotion of
family as his top concerns. In the address, officially called the address
to the Vatican diplomatic corps, he confided a list of, as he said,
"reflections which rise from my prayer as well as from the things I hear
from those who visit me" and asked that the list be passed on to the
governments of the world.

The Pope called the list of concerns "the great challenges lying before us"
and asked that we "open our hearts and minds" to them. The list was topped
by the following concerns:

- the defence of the sacredness of human life in all circumstances,
especially in relation to the challenges posed by genetic manipulation;

- the promotion of the family, the basic unit of society;

The next six items involved concerns over poverty, human rights, fighting
diseases and other social justice issues. The Pope concluded, "If these
priorities became the central concerns of political leaders; if people of
good made them part of their daily endeavors; if religious believers
included them in their teaching, the world would be a radically different
place."

For the complete papal address in several languages, see (scroll down for the English translation):
http://www.vatican.va/cgi-bin/w3-msql/news_services/bulletin/news/10590.html?index=10590&po_date=10.01.2002&lang=it


......Or Read It Here:

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. The good wishes which your Dean, Ambassador Giovanni Galassi, has just
offered me in your name are all the more touching in that they are also
extended in the name of the governments and peoples which you represent. I
in my turn extend to you, your families and dear ones my heartfelt good wish
that God will bless you and grant all peoples a year of serenity, happiness
and peace. Mr Ambassador, your thoughtful greeting has been accompanied by a
penetrating analysis of the international scene during the past year. The
horizon indeed appears dark, and many of those who have lived through the
great movement towards freedom and the changes of the 90s are surprised to
find themselves gripped today by fear of a future which has once again
become uncertain. But for those who have put their faith and hope in Jesus,
born in Bethlehem to become one of us, the angelic message has rung out
again in the stillness of Christmas night: "Be not afraid ... I bring you
good news of great joy which will come to all the people, for today is born
a Savior" (Lk 2:10-11). The future is wide open, God is with us on our way!

2. The light of Christmas gives meaning to all human efforts to make our
earth more fraternal and friendly, to make it a good place to live, and to
ensure that indifference, injustice and hatred will never have the last
word. Here we could quote a long list of actions successfully concluded by
governments, negotiators and volunteers who in recent times have put their
know-how and their dedication at the service of the cause of humanity. Among
reasons for satisfaction, one must surely mention the progressive
unification of Europe, recently symbolized by the adoption of a single
currency by twelve countries. This is a decisive step in the long history of
this continent. But it is also important that the expansion of the European
Union should continue to be a priority. I am likewise aware that the
question has been raised about the expediency of a Constitution for the
Union. In this regard, it is essential to make increasingly explicit the
goals of the process of building up Europe and the values on which it must
rest. Hence it is that, with some regret, I have noted that, no explicit
mention was made of communities of religious believers among the partners
who are to contribute to the reflection on the "Convention" instituted at
the Laeken summit last month. The marginalization of religions, which have
contributed and continue to contribute to the culture and humanism of which
Europe is legitimately proud, strikes me as both an injustice and an error
of perspective. To recognize an indisputable historical fact in no way means
to disregard the modern demand for States to have an appropriate
non-confessional character, and therefore Europe as well! I am also pleased
to mention the good news, so long awaited, of the beginning of a direct
dialogue between the leaders of the two communities on the island of Cyprus.
A legitimate parliament in Kosovo is another harbinger of a more democratic
future in that region. Since last November, delegations of the People’s
Republic of China and the Republic of China have taken their seats in the
World Trade Organization. May this positive development help prosper all the
efforts which have been made on the difficult path of rapprochement! The
conversations taking place between the parties in the conflict which has so
long torn Sri Lanka apart undoubtedly must be encouraged. These certainly
are significant advances on the path of pacification between individuals and
peoples.

3. But likewise the light which has come from the stable in Bethlehem
illuminates implacably the ambiguities and setbacks in our undertakings. At
this year begins, we are tragically aware that humanity finds itself in a
situation of violence, suffering and sin. On Christmas night we were present
in spirit at Bethlehem and were alas forced to note that the Holy Land,
where the Redeemer was born, is still, through man’s fault, a land of fire
and blood. No one can remain indifferent to the injustice of which the
Palestinian people have been victims for more than fifty years. No one can
contest the right of the Israeli people to live in security. But neither can
anyone forget the innocent victims who, on both sides, fall day after day
under the blows of violence. Weapons and bloody attacks will never be the
right means for making a political statement to the other side. Nor is the
logic of the law of retaliation capable any longer of leading to paths of
peace. As I have already stated on many occasions, only respect for others
and their legitimate aspirations, the application of international law, the
evacuation of the occupied territories and an internationally guaranteed
special status for the most holy places in Jerusalem can bring about a
beginning of pacification in that part of the world and break the hellish
cycle of hatred and vengeance. And I express the hope that the international
community will be enabled to fulfil, through peaceful and appropriate means,
its irreplaceable role and be accepted by all the parties in the conflict.
One against the other, neither Israelis nor Palestinians can win the war.
But together they can win peace. The legitimate fight against terrorism, of
which the abhorrent attacks of last 11 September are the most appalling
expression, has once again let the sound of arms be heard. Barbarous
aggression and killings raise not only the question of legitimate defence
but also issues such as the most effective means of eradicating terrorism,
the search for the factors underlying such acts, and the measures to be
taken to bring about a process of "healing" in order to overcome fear and to
avoid evil being added to evil, violence to violence. It is appropriate
therefore to encourage the new government installed in Kabul in its efforts
to achieve the effective pacification of all Afghanistan. Finally I must
mention the tensions which have once more set India and Pakistan at odds, in
order earnestly to request the political leaders of these great nations to
give absolute priority to dialogue and negotiation. We also need to heed the
question which comes to us from the depths of this abyss: that of the place
and the use made of religion in the lives of people and societies. Here I
wish to say once again, before the whole international community, that
killing in the name of God is an act of blasphemy and a perversion of
religion. This morning I wish to repeat what I wrote in my Message for
January 1: "It is a profanation of religion to declare oneself a terrorist
in the name of God, to do violence to others in his name. Terrorist violence
is a contradiction of faith in God, the Creator of man, who cares for man
and loves him" (No. 7).

4. In the face of these outbreaks of irrational and unjustifiable violence,
the great danger is that other situations will go unnoticed and leave whole
peoples abandoned to their sad fate. I am thinking of Africa, and the health
emergencies and armed struggles which are decimating its peoples. Recently,
during a debate in the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization
it was observed that there were seventeen conflicts taking place on the
African continent! In such a situation, the establishment of an "African
Union" is in itself good news. This Organization should help to develop
common principles capable of uniting all the member States, with a view to
facing major challenges such as the prevention of conflicts, education and
the fight against poverty. And how can I fail to mention Latin America,
which is always dear to me? In some countries of this great continent the
persistence of social inequalities, drug trafficking, corruption and armed
violence can endanger the foundations of democracy and discredit the
political class. Most recently, the difficult situation in Argentina has
given rise to public unrest which has painfully affected people’s lives.
This is yet another reminder that political and economic activity at the
national and international levels must always be inspired by the pursuit of
the authentic good of individuals and peoples. With insistence I wish to
encourage the people of Latin America, and of Argentina in particular, to
hold on to hope amid the present difficulties, and not to lose sight of the
fact that, given the great human and natural resources available, the
present situation is not irreversible and can be overcome with everyone’s
help. If this is to happen, private or partisan interests must be set aside,
and the interest of the nation must be promoted by every legitimate means,
through a return to moral values, open and frank dialogue, and the
renunciation of what is superfluous in order to help those who are in any
way in need. In this spirit, it should be remembered that political activity
is above all a noble, demanding and generous service to the community.

5. The troubled situation of this world of ours at the dawn of the third
millennium has one advantage, if I may say so: it makes us squarely face our
responsibilities. Everyone is forced to ask the real questions: the truth
about God and the truth about man. God is not at the beck and call of one
individual or one people, and no human venture can claim to monopolize him.
The children of Abraham know that God cannot be commandeered by anyone: God
is to be received. Standing before the crib, Christians can better realize
that Jesus himself did not impose himself, and he rejected the use of power
as a means of promoting his kingdom! The truth about man, who is a creature.
Man is true to himself only when he sees himself as coming from God, in an
attitude of poverty. He is conscious of his dignity only when he
acknowledges in himself and in others the mark of God who created him in his
own image. For this reason I chose to put the subject of forgiveness at the
heart of my traditional Message for the celebration of the World Day of
Peace on 1 January 2002, for I am convinced that: "the help that religions
can give to peace and against terrorism consists precisely in their teaching
forgiveness, for those who forgive and seek forgiveness know that there is a
higher Truth, and that by accepting that Truth they can transcend
themselves" (No. 13). This truth about God and man is a gift which
Christians offer to all people, especially to their brothers and sisters who
are followers of authentic Islam, a religion of peace and love of neighbour.

6. To you, Ladies and Gentlemen, I confide these reflections which rise from
my prayer as well as from the things I hear from those who visit me. I ask
you to pass them on to your governments. Let us not be overwhelmed by the
distress of the present time. Let us instead open our hearts and minds to
the great challenges lying before us:

– the defence of the sacredness of human life in all circumstances,
especially in relation to the challenges posed by genetic manipulation; –
the promotion of the family, the basic unit of society;

– the elimination of poverty, through efforts to promote development, the
reduction of debt and the opening up of international trade;

– respect for human rights in all situations, with especial concern for the
most vulnerable: children, women and refugees; – disarmament, the reduction
of arms sales to poor countries, and the consolidation of peace after the
end of conflicts;

– the fight against the major diseases, and access by the poor to basic care
and medicines;

– the protection of the environment and the prevention of natural disasters;

– the rigorous application of international law and conventions.

Of course, many other demands could also be mentioned. But if these priorities
became the central concerns of political leaders; if people of good made them
part of heir daily endeavours; if religious believers included them in their teaching,
the world would be a radically different place.

7. These are the thoughts which I wanted to share with you. Darkness can
only be scattered by light. Hatred can only be conquered by love. My most
fervent wish, which I entrust to God in prayer and which, I believe, will be
shared by all those taking part in the forthcoming meeting in Assisi, is
that we should all carry in our unarmed hands the light of a love which
nothing can discourage. May God grant that it be so, for the happiness of
all!


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