UN should help to ensure fundamental right, says Archbishop

(Nov.11,2009): “Keeping in mind the spirit and word of the UN Charter, it is the specific and primary responsibility of the United Nations to help States, to fully ensure at all levels, the implementation of the right to religious freedom,” said Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the UN on Monday. “The question of religion and the contributions of religions to peace and development, have resurfaced in the United Nations in recent years because they have become urgent and inevitable in the opinion of the world,” Archbishop Celestino Migliore and Apostolic Nuncio, told the 64^th session of the UN General Assembly in New York discussing the theme “Culture of Peace”. The prelate said “it is well known that throughout history, individuals and leaders have manipulated religions. Likewise, ideological and nationalistic movements have taken religious differences as an opportunity to garner support for their own causes,” he added.
Archbishop Migliore noted that today, many Christian denominations and other religions are engaged in dialogue to make progress in greater understanding among each other. In this regard, he said, the Holy See has implemented a number of initiatives to promote dialogue among Christian denominations with Jewish believers, Buddhists and Hindus and Muslims to foster respect, understanding and cooperation among believers of various denominations and encourage the study of religions.
Archbishop Migliore affirmed that the goal of the UN should be to help States and all segments of society to recognize, respect and promote the dignity and rights of every person and each community in the world.