Holy See: Millions risk their lives to escape from the dictatorship of poverty

Sep 18, 2006 / 22:00 pm

Yesterday, Archbishop Celesino Migliore, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations in New York, delivered a talk to the "High-level Meeting on the midterm comprehensive global review of the implementation of the Program of Action for the Least Developed Countries (BPoA) for the Decade 2001-2010," telling the meeting’s participants that fences will not stop those trying to escape the poverty which binds them.

During the meeting in New York, which ends today, the archbishop said in English, "Twenty years ago, public opinion was moved by those who risked their lives climbing fences that kept them prisoners of dictatorial regimes. Today, millions risk their lives to escape from the dictatorship of poverty.”

“Fences,” he said, “will not stop them.”

“For their good and for the prosperity of all of us, developed countries and least developed countries must implement effective policies such as those found in the BPoA, so that the citizens of least developed countries will choose freely to remain at home, where they can attain ... employment and living conditions that can truly be called dignified."

“The Catholic Church has undertaken many initiatives in the last decade with a view to bringing both her own members and all people of good will to a greater awareness of the shared responsibility in relation to the problems derived from international trade and finance,” Migliore pointed out.

“The Holy See continues to encourage the international community, especially the more developed and medium income countries, to support the implementation of the BPoA, and appeals for a surge of solidarity."