Vatican calls for governance by all groups

(Dec. 07, 2011) The Holy See welcomes the fact that next year the economic and environmental dimension will focus on good governance issues and will take into account the common good of all the people, said Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States. The prelate made the statement at the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe –OSCE. The two-day council that concludes Wednesday is being held in Vilnius, Lithuania. Archbishop Mamberti said that a democratic good governance should promote participation in public life of all people living in society,including Churches, religious communities and believers. Referring to Pope Benedict XVI’s message for the World Day of Peace 2011, Archbishop Mamberti said the Holy Father insisted that “at present, Christians are the religious group, which suffers most from persecution on account of its faith”. He said this situation is unacceptable, since it represents an insult to God and to human dignity and is a threat to security and peace and an obstacle to the achievement of authentic and integral human development. Archbishop Mamberti also lamented trafficking in human beings, especially of women and minors, carried out not just for sexual exploitation but also for labour exploitation and domestic servitude, and has become a powerful global business involving many countries of origin, transit and destination. To counteract this scourge of trafficking in human beings with greater determination and more concrete results, he said united efforts are necessary - a mentality that is centered on the unique dignity of every person: a sure punishment of traffickers; a fight against corruption and the fairness of the media in reporting damages created by trafficking. Archbishop Mamberti said that the working together of public and private institutions, including religious ones, and the contribution of volunteers will guarantee that no person may be bought or sold in violation of his fundamental rights and dignity. In conclusion he said “The Holy See welcomes Mongolia’s desire to become the 57^th OSCE participating State and looks forward to working with it and all other states to contribute to the implementation of OSCE commitments.