Demographic crises causing devastating effects, says Holy See’s Permanent Observer
to UN
(April 13, 2010) The demographic crises that in the few decades has brought down
annual population rates from 7% to below 1% in many parts of the world, combined with
the aging of the population, has resulted in devastating effects for the economy and
governance, said Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York.
Archbishop Celestino Migliore made the statements in his address on Monday to the
43rd session of the Commission on Population and Development, CPD. Among
the topics assigned to this year’s CPD session are global health, morbidity, mortality
and development, with priority being given mainly to maternal deaths. According
to UN statistics, some half a million maternal deaths occur annually, majority of
them in developing countries. What’s worse is that for every death, thirty more
women suffer long-term damage to their health, such as from obstetric fistulae. The
physical devastation caused by it, makes them total outcasts and they suffer pain,
humility and lifelong disability if not treated. Pointing out that two million of
these poor, young mothers are mainly in Africa, Archbishop Migliore called it a great
shame, especially as the disease is preventable and treatable. He also noted that
programs, providing services that ensure mothers and their babies survive are badly
underfunded. Noting that that Catholic hospitals and clinics continue to be the
front line providers for primary health care,Archbishop Migliore urged governments
to urgently address the health and adequate nutritional needs of mothers and children
all over the world.