Pope to G8: promote a ceasefire in Syria and economic measures "inspired by the ethics of truth"
Vatican City
(AsiaNews) - Promote an "immediate" ceasefire and
"negotiations" in Syria and measures "inspired by the ethics of
truth" in the face of the economic crisis, these are the hopes expressed by Pope
Francis to the G8 meeting, which begins today Lough Erne in Northern Ireland.
In
a letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron - in response to one
previously sent by the British prime minister - the Pope writes that "the priorities
that the British Presidency has set out for the Lough Erne Summit are concerned
above all with the free international market, taxation, and transparency on the
part of governments and economic actors. Yet the fundamental reference to man
is by no means lacking, specifically in the proposal for concerted action by
the Group to eliminate definitively the scourge of hunger and to ensure food
security. Similarly, a further sign of attention to the human person is the
inclusion as one of the central themes on the agenda of the protection of women
and children from sexual violence in conflict situations, even though it must
be remembered that the indispensable context for the development of all the
afore-mentioned political actions is that of international peace".
"Sadly,
concern over serious international crises is a recurring theme in the
deliberations of the G8, and this year it cannot fail to address the situation
in the Middle East, especially in Syria.. In this regard, I earnestly hope that
the Summit will help to obtain an immediate and lasting cease-fire and to bring
all parties in the conflict to the negotiating table. Peace demands a
far-sighted renunciation of certain claims, in order to build together a more
equitable and just peace. Moreover, peace is an essential pre-requisite for the
protection of women, children and other innocent victims, and for making a
start towards conquering hunger, especially among the victims of war".
"
The actions included on the agenda of the British G8 Presidency, which point
towards law as the golden thread of development - as well as the consequent
commitments to deal with tax avoidance and to ensure transparency and
responsibility on the part of governments - are measures that indicate the deep
ethical roots of these problems, since, as my predecessor Benedict XVI made
clear, the present global crisis shows that ethics is not something external to
the economy, but is an integral and unavoidable element of economic thought and
action".
"The
long-term measures that are designed to ensure an adequate legal framework for
all economic actions, as well as the associated urgent measures to resolve the
global economic crisis, must be guided by the ethics of truth. This includes,
first and foremost, respect for the truth of man, who is not simply an
additional economic factor, or a disposable good, but is equipped with a nature
and a dignity that cannot be reduced to simple economic calculus. Therefore
concern for the fundamental material and spiritual welfare of every human
person is the starting-point for every political and economic solution and the
ultimate measure of its effectiveness and its ethical validity".
"Moreover,
the goal of economics and politics is to serve humanity, beginning with the
poorest and most vulnerable wherever they may be, even in their mothers' wombs.
Every economic and political theory or action must set about providing each
inhabitant of the planet with the minimum wherewithal to live in dignity and
freedom, with the possibility of supporting a family, educating children,
praising God and developing one's own human potential. This is the main thing;
in the absence of such a vision, all economic activity is meaningless. In
this sense, the various grave economic and political challenges facing today's
world require a courageous change of attitude that will restore to the end (the
human person) and to the means (economics and politics) their proper place. Money
and other political and economic means must serve, not rule, bearing in mind
that, in a seemingly paradoxical way, free and disinterested solidarity is the
key to the smooth functioning of the global economy".
.png)
