Pope Concerned by Effect of Climate Change on Mongolia

(20 May 10 – RV) On Thursday Pope Benedict XVI voiced his serious concern for the thousands of Mongolian families who face the very real risk of famine after prolonged extreme weather conditions in the Asian nation. The Holy Father was speaking to the new Ambassador from Mongolia to the Holy See Luvsantseren Orgil.

Mongolia is a land locked nation in central-east Asia. Famous for its high planes and traditional nomadic culture, it is the 19th largest and the most sparsely populated independent country in the world, with a population of around 2.9 million people.

However after the worst winter on record, its 800,000 herders and their families are facing the risk of famine.
In his address to the news ambassador from Mongolia Thursdays, the Pope’s first concerns were for these families. Expressing his concern and solidarity: “for the many individuals and families who suffered as a result of the harsh winter and the effects of last year’s torrential rains and flooding”, the Pope observed that “environmental issues, particularly those related to climate change, are global issues and need to be addressed on a global level”.
The United Nations says that nearly 8 million cows, yaks, camels, horses, goats and sheep, the only source of livelihood for rural nomads, have died. As a result thousands of destitute are streaming into the capital, Ulaanbaata. The U.N. estimates the disaster may prompt up to 20,000 herders to abandon their nomadic life and flee to the city.
There are little under 500 Catholics in Mongolia, served by one Bishop, Wenceslao Selga Padilla in the Apostolic Prefecture of Ulaanbaatar. On Thursday Pope Benedict assured the ambassador “of the desire of Mongolia’s Catholic citizens to contribute to the common good by sharing fully in the life of the nation”. “The Church is also concerned to play her proper part” he added and “strives to serve her Lord by showing charitable concern for the needy and for the good of the whole human family”.

Below the full text of the papal discourse:

Your Excellency,
I am pleased to welcome you to the Vatican and to accept the Letters accrediting you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Holy See. I am most grateful for the greetings which you have brought from President Tsakhia Elbegdorj, and I ask you to convey to him my own prayerful good wishes for him and for all your fellow-citizens. As your nation celebrates the twentieth anniversary of its passage to democracy, I express my confidence that the great progress made in these years will continue to bear fruit in the consolidation of a social order which promotes the common good of your citizens, while furthering their legitimate aspirations for the future.

I also take this occasion, Mr Ambassador, to express my solidarity and concern for the many individuals and families who suffered as a result of the harsh winter and the effects of last year’s torrential rains and flooding. As you have rightly observed, environmental issues, particularly those related to climate change, are global issues and need to be addressed on a global level.

As Your Excellency has noted, the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Holy See, which took place after the great social and political changes of two decades ago, are a sign of your nation’s commitment to an enriching interchange within the wider international community. Religion and culture, as interrelated expressions of the deepest spiritual aspirations of our common humanity, naturally serve as incentives for dialogue and cooperation between peoples in the service of peace and genuine development. Authentic human development, in effect, needs to take into consideration every dimension of the person, and thus aspire to those higher goods which respect man’s spiritual nature and ultimate destiny (cf. Caritas in Veritate, 11). For this reason, I wish to express my appreciation for the constant support of the Government in ensuring religious liberty. The establishment of a commission, charged with the fair application of law and with protecting the rights of conscience and free exercise of religion, stands as a recognition of the importance of religious groups within the social fabric and their potential for promoting a future of harmony and prosperity.

Mr Ambassador, I take this occasion to assure you of the desire of Mongolia’s Catholic citizens to contribute to the common good by sharing fully in the life of the nation. The Church’s primary mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In fidelity to the liberating message of the Gospel, she seeks also to contribute to the advancement of the entire community. It is this that inspires the efforts of the Catholic community to cooperate with the Government and with people of good will by working to overcome all kinds of social problems. The Church is also concerned to play her proper part in the work of intellectual and human formation, above all by educating the young in the values of respect, solidarity and concern for the less fortunate. In this way, she strives to serve her Lord by showing charitable concern for the needy and for the good of the whole human family.
Mr Ambassador, I offer you my prayerful good wishes for your mission, and I assure you of the readiness of the offices of the Holy See to assist you in the fulfillment of your high responsibilities. I am confident that your representation will help to strengthen the good relations existing between the Holy See and Mongolia. Upon you and your family, and upon all the people of your nation, I cordially invoke abundant divine blessings.

From the Vatican, 20 May 2010