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Last Updated: 19 February 2013

"All of Us Must Clearly Step Up Our Efforts"

NEW YORK, MAY 22, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is the statement which Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Holy See's permanent observer at the United Nations, gave today at the 61st session of the U.N. general assembly on the implementation of the declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS.

* * *

61st Session of the U.N. General Assembly

Agenda item 46:
Follow-up to the outcome of the 26th special session: Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS

New York, May 22, 2007

Madam President,

My delegation thanks you for convening this important progress report meeting where states can share the steps they have taken in their movement towards the goal of universal access to HIV prevention programs, treatment, care and support by 2010. Their honest assessments and commitment to work together are surely a movement in the right direction in caring for all those affected by HIV/AIDS.

The detailed and comprehensive report of the secretary-general lists the greatest challenges: caring for the 39.5 million people presently living with HIV; reducing the number of people dying annually from AIDS, which in 2006 was 2.9 million; preventing new infections, which currently run at some 4 million per year; and taking special care of young people, who accounted for 40% of new infections last year.

While the numbers speak for themselves, they do not capture the whole story. The fact that only 2 million of the 7.1 million people needing antiretroviral drugs receive them represents a sorrowful ratio. Quantifying the resources globally required is thought to be in the region of $18 billion and $22 billion for 2007 and 2008 respectively for low- or middle-income countries for HIV.

These apparently large numbers actually represent only $3 to $4 per person on the planet. In aggregate, the numbers seem overwhelming, but taken in their proper context, person by person, they are really only a fraction of what we as a world community can and should do. All of us must clearly step up our efforts.

That is why, for its part, the Holy See seizes this occasion to reaffirm its commitment to intensify its response to this disease, through its ongoing support for a worldwide network of some 1,600 hospitals, 6,000 clinics, and 12,000 initiatives of a charitable and social nature in developing countries.

Madam President, the secretary-general's report makes five recommendations, and given the time limitations, my delegation would like to address briefly two of them.

First, under the heading "Know your epidemic and intensify HIV prevention," my delegation believes that providing information and opportunities for an education respectful of naturally based values is essential both in the development of scientific advancement and for personal prevention. There can be no excuse that, 25 years into this epidemic, all people in all countries still do not have sound, accurate and reliable information so as to educate themselves and live safer lives.

Second, under the heading "Report progress on international commitments," it appears that, in this house, we oftentimes speak of transparency and collaboration with regard to our respective commitments. My delegation encourages all states to be more forthcoming in providing accurate numbers with respect to monitoring and evaluation, however difficult this may be. A factual understanding as to where the world community stands on this matter will serve us well as we attempt to address all the problems associated with HIV/AIDS and to care for all.

Thank you, Madam President.

[Text adapted]

Code: ZE07052207

Date: 2007-05-22

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Last Updated: 19 February 2013

"The Lord of the Harvest Will Not Let us Lack Workers"

VATICAN CITY, MAY 22, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a Vatican translation of Benedict XVI's May 5 address to the meeting of the superior council of pontifical mission societies and the congress of "fidei donum" missionaries.

* * *

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE MEETING OF THE SUPERIOR COUNCIL OF THE PONTIFICAL MISSION SOCIETIES AND IN THE WORLD CONGRESS OF "FIDEI DONUM" MISSIONARIES

Clementine Hall
Saturday, 5 May 2007

Your Eminence,
Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am particularly pleased to meet you after the solemn Eucharistic Celebration at which Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, presided. In the first place, I address my cordial thoughts to him and thank him for his words to me on your behalf.

I extend my greeting to the Secretary and collaborators of the Missionary Dicastery, to the Prelates and priests present, to the men and women religious and to all who have taken part in the Congress held in the past few days to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Encyclical Letter Fidei Donum of the Servant of God Pope Pius XII.

Fifty years have passed since this venerable Predecessor of mine, facing the evolution of the times and looking out onto the scene of history of new peoples and nations, realized with farsighted pastoral wisdom that unheard of and providential horizons and missionary openings for the proclamation of the Gospel in Africa were unfolding.

Indeed, Pius XII was looking especially to Africa when, with prophetic intuition, he thought of that new missionary "subject" which takes its name "Fidei donum" from the first words of the Encyclical.

He was intending to encourage another type of missionary cooperation -- parallel to the traditional forms -- among the so-called "ancient" Christian Communities and those born lately or which are coming into being in recently-evangelized territories. He asked the "ancient" Churches to send several priests to help the "young" Churches, whose growth was promising, to collaborate with the local Ordinaries for a specific period.

This is what Pope Pacelli wrote: "As we direct our thoughts, on the one hand, to the countless multitudes of our sons who have a share in the blessings of divine faith, especially in countries that have long since become Christian, and on the other hand, as we consider the far more numerous throngs of those who are still waiting for the day of salvation to be announced to them, we are filled with a great desire to exhort you again and again, Venerable Brethren, to support with zealous interest the most holy cause of bringing the Church of God to all the world. May it come to pass that our admonitions will arouse a keener interest in the missionary apostolate among your priests and through them set the hearts of the faithful on fire!" (n. 4).

Consequently, the purpose that inspired the venerable Pontiff was twofold: on the one hand, to kindle a renewed missionary "flame" in every member of the Christian people, and on the other, to encourage a more aware collaboration between the Dioceses of ancient tradition and the regions of first evangelization.

In the course of these five decades, Pius XII's invitation has been reaffirmed on several occasions by all my Predecessors, and thanks to the impetus provided by the Second Vatican Council, the number of fidei donum priests has continued to multiply. They depart with religious and lay volunteers, bound for a mission in Africa and in other parts of the world, sometimes costing their Dioceses many sacrifices.

I would like here to express my special thanks to these brothers and sisters, some of whom poured out their blood in order to disseminate the Gospel.

The mission experience, as you well know, leaves an indelible mark on those who carry it out and at the same time helps to foster that ecclesial communion which makes all the baptized see themselves as members of the one Church, the Mystical Body of Christ.

During these decades, contacts and missionary exchanges have intensified, partly because of the development and increase in the means of communication, so that the Church has come into contact with practically every civilization and culture.

Moreover, the exchange of gifts between Ecclesial Communities of ancient and recent foundation has been a reciprocal enrichment and has fostered an increased awareness that we are all "missionaries", that is, we are all involved, albeit in different ways, in proclaiming and bearing witness to the Gospel.

While we thank the Lord for today's missionary commitment, we cannot fail to perceive at the same time the difficulties which are occurring in this context today. Among them, I limit myself to stressing the dwindling numbers and the ageing of the clergy in Dioceses that once sent missionaries to distant regions.

In the context of a widespread vocations crisis, this is undoubtedly a challenge to be faced. The Congress organized by the Pontifical Missionary Union to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Fidei Donum has made possible an attentive analysis of this situation which the Church is living today.

Although we cannot ignore the problems and shadows, nevertheless we must raise our gaze confidently to the future, giving a renewed and more authentic identity to "Fidei donum" missionaries in a world context which has undeniably changed in comparison with the 1950s.

If there are many challenges to evangelization in this age of ours, there are also many signs of hope in every part of the world that witness to an encouraging missionary vitality among the Christian people.

Above all, may people never forget that before leaving his disciples and ascending into Heaven, in sending them out to proclaim his Gospel in every corner of the world, the Lord assured them, "Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age" (Mt 28:20).

Dear brothers and sisters, this certainty must never abandon us. The Lord of the harvest will not let us lack workers for his harvest if we ask him for them with trust and persistence, in prayer and in docile listening to his words and teachings.

In this regard, I would like to take up the invitation which Pius XII addressed to the faithful of that time: "Especially in this our time on which the future growth of the Church in many areas is perhaps dependent", he wrote in his Encyclical, "let many Masses be offered for the sacred missions.... This is in accordance with the prayers of Our Lord, who loves his Church and wishes her to flourish and enlarge her borders throughout the whole world" (n. 52).

I make my own this same exhortation, convinced that in coming to meet our ceaseless requests the Lord will continue to bless the Church's missionary commitment with abundant apostolic fruits.

I commend this hope to Mary, Mother and Queen of the Apostles, while I cordially impart a special Apostolic Blessing to you who are present here and to all the world's missionaries.

© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Code: ZE07052209

Date: 2007-05-22

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Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Bishops Express Solidarity with Muslim Community

HYDERABAD, India, MAY 22, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Church called people to refrain from violence and maintain peace after five people were killed and 35 were injured when a bomb exploded in Asia's biggest mosque.

The blast occurred Friday while thousands of people were gathered in the Hyderabad mosque for prayer, the Indian Catholic News Service reported.

The historic Mecca mosque, said to be over 400 years old, is Asia's biggest. It is situated just 100 yards from another famous mosque, Charminar. There was no report on the damage done to the structure.

The Catholic bishops' conference of India was quick to condemn the act of violence: "The [conference] expresses its strong disapproval of the bomb blast that took place in Hyderabad."

"Violence is no answer to any social problems, and the attempt of some misguided elements to vitiate the social atmosphere should not be allowed to take roots," said the bishops' spokesman, Father Babu Joseph.

The Church has "appealed to all concerned to refrain from violence and maintain peace and harmony."

Also quick to condemn the bombing was Archbishop Marampudi Joji of Hyderabad: "On behalf of the 6 million Christians of [the state of] Andhra Pradesh, I send my deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and maintain prayerful solidarity with the injured.

"It's indeed unfortunate that people take to violence and attack innocent people at a house of worship to achieve their goals."

Archbishop Joji requested "all communities to maintain peace and order," especially given that "in the city of Hyderabad, the Christian community always had a very cordial relationship with the Muslim community."

Code: ZE07052217

Date: 2007-05-22

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Last Updated: 19 February 2013

BAGHDAD, Iraq, MAY 22, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The abducted Chaldean priest, Father Nawzat Hanna, has been released after three days of captivity.

Father Nawzat is now safe in Baghdad, but it is clear his captors beat him, reported www.AsiaNews.it today.

The parish priest was abducted in the al-Baladiyat quarter of Baghdad on Saturday as he left the home of a sick parishioner.

Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad said Monday that Father Nawzat's captors were demanding a high ransom for his release. Whether or not a ransom was paid has not been reported.

"When he saw me," Bishop Warduni said, "Father Nawzat firmly embraced me. He was in tears and he was deeply tried; he then thanked all of those who had prayed for him in these days, the Virgin and the saint of his parish.

"Let us pray that these episodes do not happen again and that our priest finds the courage to remain in Iraq, to serve his Church."

Code: ZE07052215

Date: 2007-05-22

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Last Updated: 19 February 2013

History Doesn't Coincide With Black Legend, Says Author

ROME, MAY 22, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The black legend about Pope Pius XII is so widespread that many consider it to be more true than the actual historical facts, says papal biographer Andrea Tornielli.

Tornielli's latest book, "Pio XII, Un Uomo Sul Trono di Pietro" (Pius XII: A Man on the Throne of Peter)," hit the bookshelves in Italy today. Tornielli is a noted Vatican journalist with the Milan-based newspaper Il Giornale.

Speaking with ZENIT, Tornielli denounced "the arbitrary diminishment of the figure of Pius XII."

That Pope has been "crushed under criticisms about the Holocaust and his 'silence,'" Tornielli said.

The 661-page book is a biography of the Roman-born Pope, and is based on never before seen documentation from the private archives of the Pacelli family, and eyewitness accounts recorded in the acts of his beatification cause.

Contrary to the Pius XII presented by his opponents as the "Pope of silence," a different Pius XII emerges from the pages of Tornielli's book.

"One of the major sources of my work," Tornielli explained, "was the letters Pacelli wrote to his family, in particular to his brother Francesco. While he was the nuncio in Germany, Pacelli collaborated with Pope Pius XI to create the Lateran Pacts.

"From these never before seen papers we can see Pius XII's concern about the birth of Nazism and about its strong anti-Christian nationalism."

"But other aspects also emerge -- much more personal ones -- like his desire not to become a cardinal so he could dedicate himself fully to pastoral ministry," he continued. "Here we see that Pacelli, as nuncio, cardinal and then Pope, was always a priest at heart, a true priest."

"The campaign against Pius XII was started in the Soviet Union and was then sustained in Catholic environments," Tornielli concluded. "Slowly the truth is emerging about the accusations of silence."

Code: ZE07052213

Date: 2007-05-22

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Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Says World Community Could Do More

NEW YORK, MAY 22, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See says the price tag on the HIV/AIDS battle can seem overwhelming, but the cost is only a fraction of what the world community could easily provide.

Archbishop Celestino Migliore said that today at the U.N. general assembly meeting on the implementation of the declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS.

"The fact that only 2 million of the 7.1 million people needing antiretroviral drugs receive them represents a sorrowful ratio," Archbishop Migliore said. "Quantifying the resources globally required is thought to be in the region of $18 billion and $22 billion for 2007 and 2008 respectively for low- or middle-income countries for HIV.

"These apparently large numbers actually represent only $3 to $4 per person on the planet.

"In aggregate, the numbers seem overwhelming, but taken in their proper context, person by person, they are really only a fraction of what we as a world community can and should do. All of us must clearly step up our efforts."

Archbishop Migliore cited the U.N. report's estimation of the four greatest challenges in the HIV/AIDS battle: "Caring for the 39.5 million people presently living with HIV; reducing the number of people dying annually from AIDS, which in 2006 was 2.9 million; preventing new infections, which currently run at some 4 million per year; and taking special care of young people, who accounted for 40% of new infections last year."

Worldwide network

The 54-year-old archbishop reiterated that the Holy See is active in responding to this disease, "through its ongoing support for a worldwide network of some 1,600 hospitals, 6,000 clinics, and 12,000 initiatives of a charitable and social nature in developing countries."

The U.N. report listed five recommendations; the Holy See's delegation focused on two of them.

"First, under the heading 'know your epidemic and intensify HIV prevention,' my delegation believes that providing information and opportunities for an education respectful of naturally based values is essential both in the development of scientific advancement and for personal prevention," Archbishop Migliore said.

He added: "Second, under the heading 'report progress on international commitments,' it appears that, in this house, we oftentimes speak of transparency and collaboration with regard to our respective commitments.

"My delegation encourages all states to be more forthcoming in providing accurate numbers with respect to monitoring and evaluation, however difficult this may be. A factual understanding as to where the world community stands on this matter will serve us well as we attempt to address all the problems associated with HIV/AIDS and to care for all."

Code: ZE07052211

Date: 2007-05-22