Holy See to OSCE: embrace nonviolence

(Vatican Radio) At a meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Holy See’s Permanent Representative to the organization pointed out “2017 begins in the shadow of the many conflicts in, and violent attacks on, the OSCE region in 2016.”

“We must acknowledge that far too many of our fellow citizens know too well the horror and consequences of conflict, strife and terrorism, and sadly, look to the future with fear in their hearts rather than confidence and a clear sense of security,” said Msgr. Janusz S. Urbańczyk.

“This worrying reality spurs us to action,” – the Vatican diplomat continued – “Peace, and peaceful co-existence, must be at the top of our Organization’s agenda. For that very reason the Holy See will support any and all initiatives … that seek to advance the cause of peace and stability, especially when such initiatives strive to defuse conflict, re-establish trust between the 57 participating States and fight radicalization and violent extremism.”

Msgr. Urbańczyk said in this regard, “the Holy See would like to draw attention to the need, the profound need, to reject violence and embrace nonviolence.”

The full text of the speech can be found below

 

STATEMENT BY MONSIGNOR JANUSZ S. URBAŃCZYK PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HOLY SEE, AT THE 1127th (SPECIAL) MEETING OF THE OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL 12 JANUARY 2017
RE: ADDRESS BY THE CHAIRPERSON-IN-OFFICE OF THE OSCE, FEDERAL MINISTER FOR EUROPE, INTEGRATION AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF AUSTRIA, H.E. SEBASTIAN KURZ

Mr Chairman,

The Holy See warmly welcomes the Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria, H.E. Sebastian Kurz, back to the Permanent Council, congratulates him on assuming the charge of 2017 OSCE Chairman-in-Office, thanks him for his presentation, and assures him of the cooperation and support of the Holy See during the Austrian Chairmanship. To you, Ambassador Koja, and to the entire staff of the Austrian Delegation and Chairmanship Task Force, the Holy See extends its congratulations and best wishes. Let me also take this opportunity to renew the gratitude of my Delegation to the 2016 German Chairmanship for its leadership over the course of the past year.

Mr Chairman,

The year 2017 begins in the shadow of the many conflicts in, and violent attacks on, the OSCE region in 2016. We must acknowledge that far too many of our fellow citizens know too well the horror and consequences of conflict, strife and terrorism, and sadly, look to the future with fear in their hearts rather than confidence and a clear sense of security.

This worrying reality spurs us to action. Peace, and peaceful co-existence, must be at the top of our Organization’s agenda. For that very reason the Holy See will support any and all initiatives of the Austrian Chairmanship that seek to advance the cause of peace and stability, especially when such initiatives strive to defuse conflict, re-establish trust between the 57 participating States and fight radicalization and violent extremism.

In this regard, the Holy See would like to draw attention to the need, the profound need, to reject violence and embrace nonviolence. As Pope Francis has recently pointed out: “Nonviolence is sometimes taken to mean surrender, lack of involvement and passivity, but this is not the case… For the force of arms is deceptive”.1

My Delegation would be remiss if it did not reinforce these words by recalling the Nobel Laureate, Bertha von Suttner, the Austrian peace activist and the first woman ever to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, who in her most famous call for peace, the book Lay down your arms, summoned and continues to summon the world to embrace peace, and reject the glorification of war. She wrote: “This question of whether violence or law should prevail between states is the most vital of the problems of our eventful era, and the most serious in its repercussions. The beneficial results of a secure world peace are almost inconceivable but even more inconceivable are the consequences of the threatening world war which many misguided people are prepared to precipitate”.

Moreover, the Holy See wishes to highlight once again “the constructive and important role that religions can play, especially with a view to the prevention of war, and the reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of post-conflict societies … Religions, in fact, can be harnessed as an innate positive force given the contribution that believers strive to bring to their communities and societies”.2

Mr Chairman,

The Holy See is most pleased that the Ministerial Council in Hamburg adopted the Decision on OSCE’s Role in the Governance of Large Movements of Migrants and Refugees. As peoples fleeing from wars and persecutions, as well  as  from poverty and exclusion will likely remain a significant feature in our States in the years ahead, we congratulate the Austrian Chairmanship for its pledge to advance the work done by the Swiss, Serbian and German Chairmanships on migration, refugees and the displaced. In particular, since many migrants and refugees, especially from the MENA Region, flee from violations of fundamental freedoms – including freedom of religion or belief – participating States have a duty to guarantee to them, as to all people, the enjoyment of human rights. Moreover, as Pope Francis has noted,

“we need to take action against the causes and not only the effects” of this phenomenon.3 “Many of the causes of migration could have been addressed some time ago. So many disasters could have been prevented, or at least their harshest effects mitigated. Today too, before it is too late, much could be done to end these tragedies and to build peace”.4 This issue will also be advanced through increased and intensified common efforts with the Partners for Co-operation, in particular those of the Mediterranean region.

Pope Francis has repeatedly called for just financial and economic systems that advance integral human development and ensure protection and care for our common home through sound environmental policies. The Holy Father has pointed out that: “The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change”.5 The Holy See is, therefore, most supportive of the intentions of the Austrian Chairmanship in the Economic and Environmental Dimension, building on the successful adoption at the Ministerial Council in Hamburg of the Decision on Strengthening Good Governance and Promoting Connectivity.

1 Pope Francis, Message for the celebration of the 50th World Day of Peace, 1 January 2017, 4.
2 Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Address to the 2016 OSCE Ministerial Council, MC.DEL/12/16.
3 Pope Francis, Address to the Members of the European Parliament, Strasbourg, 25 November 2014.
4 Pope Francis, Address to the members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, Vatican, 11 January 2016.

Mr Chairman,

Throughout the 40+ years of the great project that was launched with the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, the Holy See has given special emphasis to the third dimension, focusing on human rights, so as to protect the inherent dignity of all human persons, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. Therefore, the Holy See is pleased to express support for the overall priorities of the Austrian Chairmanship in the Human Dimension.

The Holy See remains confident that, under your Chairmanship, it will be possible to reach the consensus on the Ministerial Council Declarations on enhancing efforts to combat intolerance and discrimination, including against Muslims, Christians and members of other religions, in accordance with the tasking given by the Basel Declaration on enhancing efforts to combat anti-Semitism. We applaud the informal consultations initiated by the German Chairmanship in connection with the MC in Hamburg; however, more work is needed. The Holy See calls for a meeting, during the coming year, of the Human Dimension Committee to be devoted to the Basel tasking and to the manifestations of intolerance and discrimination[, including hate crimes,] that affect religious and belief communities across the OSCE Region.

My Delegation attaches great importance to dialogue and partnership among the religions, as well as between States and religions, as an important means to promote confidence, trust, reconciliation, mutual respect and understanding as well as to foster peace. Therefore, we welcome the interest of your Chairmanship in this issue and we encourage you to continue efforts to reach a Ministerial Council declaration on the topic.

Finally, the Holy See – which fully supports the political, economic, social and cultural participation of women, alongside and on the same level as men, as clearly expressed in OSCE agreed commitments – considers that much still needs to be done to advance a true and authentic equality between women and men; as well as to combat violence against women, which continues to affect many women and greatly violates their dignity and fundamental human rights.

Minister Kurz,

As you undertake the responsibilities incumbent on you as the 2017 OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the Holy See notes that significant organizational issues and decisions must be resolved and adopted this year: a revised system of the OSCE Scales  of  Contributions  should  be  adopted,  a  new  Secretary  General,  ODIHR Director, Representative on Freedom of the Media, and High Commissioner for National Minorities are to be appointed by consensus, and the question of the OSCE Legal Framework and Personality remains – alas – open, as no resolution seems imminent. Although they may perhaps appear rather administrative and bureaucratic, the Holy See urges that priority be given to these issues, as without their resolution, the very functioning of the OSCE is placed in jeopardy. Therefore, we should keep in mind that the 57 participating States form a community not only of values, but also of responsibility, not just for the common good of the OSCE area, but also for the Organization as such.

In conclusion, I wish you the very best and every success in promoting further the security and co-operation among all 57 participating States. With the 2017 Austrian Chairmanship, the centrality of the city of Vienna is underlined anew. May the year 2017, for all men and women, both East and West of this city of engaged and constructive negotiations, of diplomacy, and of compromise, be marked by concrete and necessary steps towards peace, security and co-operation. Thank you Mr Chairman.

5 Pope Francis, Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, No. 13.