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 THE PASSIONIST GENERAL CHAPTER in Brazil in September 2002, called
for members of the Passionist family throughout the world to consider
participation in the United Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization.
Father Ottaviano D'Egidio, Passionist Superior General, appointed Father
Kevin Dance, C.P. to pursue the goal. In a letter addressed to members
of the Passionist family worldwide, Father Ottaviano summed up the reasons
for the move:
 "Unfortunately, in recent years, globalization has resulted
in enormous changes in social relationships and in the world's patterns
of life and culture. We have problems that are planetary: environmental
pollution, the constant increase in the world's poorest, emigration,
the violations of human rights, especially for women and children. Right:
Father Ottaviano D'Egidio, Passionist Superior General
"Given these situations, which annihilate people's hopes, and
which seem to reduce everything to economic issues, what should our
stance be? We must join with the Church in directing our energies towards
a globalization of solidarity and of the hopes that do not marginalize
the poor. This is why we have decided to add the congregation to the
Non-Governmental Organizations at the United Nations according to Recommendation
5.5b from our General Chapter.
"Through the Synod of Bishops of 1970, the Church invited us
to make the struggle for justice an integral part of the preaching of
the gospel. In various parts of the world numerous members of the Passionist
Family are deeply involved in this ministry, but the work they do for
the poor and the suffering is often impeded by international structures
of injustice. To be effective they need the help and support of the
international community.
"The religious of other congregations already enrolled at the
United Nations as NGOs have recognized that this ministry has proved
fruitful in sustaining their own brothers and sisters who struggle in
this field helping victims of injustice. For example, observers have
maintained that the desperate struggle of the Asian people of East Timor
against genocide cannot be concluded well without the accurate information
transmitted by religious who are present at the UN."
--
Fr. Ottaviano D'Egidio, C.P. Rome
July 24th, 2002
also in this issue:
The Johannesburg Summit, 2002 • The Catholic Church and the United Nations
The U.N. at a Glance • Security
at the Security Council, 1947 • Meet Fr David Cinquegrani
home page for this issue •
act with Compassion
directory of past issues
email questions or comments
Copyright
2002 - all rights reserved - Passionist Missionaries of Union City,
NJ, USA
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