Holy See committed to defending indigenous culture

(April 21,2010) Indigenous people must be able to choose their language, practice their religion and actively participate in shaping their culture, as the Holy See considers it fundamental to have a holistic vision of development, which entails the well being of the whole person and the entire community,” said Holy See’s Permanent Observer at the United Nations in New York. Addressing on Tuesday the 9^th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Archbishop Celestino Migliore said that this is the reason, why the Holy See promotes centers of indigenous languages, oversees compiling of grammar books, and commissions hundreds of translations into those languages, often threatened by natural extinction”.
Archbishop Migliore said that this year’s special theme of the conference - “Indigenous peoples: development with culture and identity,” draws our particular attention in the aftermath of the devastating financial crises, which has hit hard also the indigenous population. Taking this into account, he said, the Holy See through it’s multifaceted organisations and grass-roots level structures, has extended its programs and projects for the comprehensive advancement of indigenous peoples. He hoped that the centuries-old cultural patrimony of the indigenous peoples will be more fully respected, as it will help, he said, to promoting peace among peoples and nations.