Rome (AsiaNews) – On the eve of the G8 summit, yesterday over 370 Caritas delegates from across the world yesterday hung a giant banner across St Peter’s basilica asking the “big powers”  gathered in Germany to “make aid work”, the aid promised to the worlds poor nations.  The gesture – carried out by twenty-five bishops and archbishops, fifty priests and nuns, and three hundred other lay delegates – is a message of reminder to the leading industrialized nations of their duty to the rest of the world: financial aid and debt reduction.

Caritas members, representing over 200 nations, are currently gathered in the Vatican to discuss new measures in the fight against poverty.  Pledges made by the leaders during the last summit in Gleneagles, Scotland have not been maintained:  a promised aid increase of 50 million us dollars to developing nations.   Instead from studies conducted by Caritas Instead, figures show a drop in aid in 2006.

Duncan MacLaren, general secretary of the Catholic organisation, explains that “The ‘Make Aid Work’ banner in St Peter’s sends a clear message to G8 leaders in Heiligendamm – the scandal of poverty must end”. Two years ago he adds, “The G8 made promises two years ago that would have lifted millions out of poverty. Instead, we have seen backsliding on aid. The latest figures show aid flows in reverse for the first time in 10 years. Of the worst offenders, Italy is predicted to be $8 billion short on its promises, France $7.6 billion short and Germany $7 billion”.

Caritas delegates, concluded the secretary general, “Caritas delegates will leave our General Assembly in Vatican City with a renewed commitment to fighting poverty that will be translated into action on the ground. G8 leaders must know that nothing will come of nothing. If they leave Heiligendamm without concrete plans then they will have failed the poor. But they must also know that we will not go away. We will speak again”.