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Newsletter: Summer Issue 2008

From the President's Desk . . .

Dear friends of Path to Peace Foundation,

      The fourth visit by a Pope to the United Nations, the one made by Benedict XVI on 18 April 2008, came at a time in history that was not easy for this Organization. Cultural fragmentation, difficulty and at times indisposition to understand one another, political drifts in every part of the world and challenges to human security, find resonance in the UN.

       Pope Benedict XVI, who is aware of all this and shares its burden and hope in his  ministry as pontifex, “bridge builder,” has uplifted spirits and renewed the vigor of all who at the United Nations work to affirm justice, peace and freedom. He has done so with his presence, encounters, interfacing, handshakes, words and gestures marked by great serenity, mildness, and sincerity.

      The quality of the message was high and well received: the meaning of human rights; the responsibility to protect as the requisite basis for the authority of each government or administration; and dialogue among persons of various cultures and religious diversity, that must be grounded upon the common recognition of the dignity of every person and human group. The standing ovation given by the General Assembly could not have emerged other than from where the conscience dwells in every heart, above and beyond daily politics. An ethical and moral message that everyone needs to make his own and translated into an operative way. In this sense, one can understand why the Pope is frequently referred to as the conscience of humanity and speaks to the consciences of men. 

       In his meetings with the Staff, he generated a real enthusiasm that enveloped all, regardless of one’s religious affiliation. Speaking of the UN as a family of nations, he created a new sense of family among the thousands of workers and collaborators. He infused motivation and sense of dignity when, mentioning all the positions, from translators to ushers, to agents of security, he applied to their daily work relations the primary realization of the responsibility to protect and promote.   

Sincerely,

+ Celestino Migliore

Thanks to your generous cooperation,

the Path to Peace Foundation along with

the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations

was able to organize the following:

Empowerment of Women

On 7 March 2008, the Path to Peace Foundation co-sponsored a side event at the United Nations on the occasion of the UN Commission on the Status of Women meeting. The side event, entitled: “The Human Dignity of Women in Contemporary Society: Economic Justice and Empowerment of Women,” sought to identify the key contemporary social, economic and development issues, as well as policies and programs for the economic empowerment of women. Some of our panelists included: Christine Firer Hinze, Ph.D., Professor of Theology at Fordham University; Ann Orr, Senior Officer Multi-stakeholder Engagement and Outreach Branch, United Nations Financing for Development Office; Sr. Maureen McGowan, RGS, Director of Handcrafting Justice. The moderator was Mary Ann Dantuono, J.D., Associate Director of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. John’s University. Conference attendees gave many positive comments and thanked us for holding this side event.

Creating a Culture of Peace

A panel discussion on the occasion of the presentation of the book, A Civilization of Love, by Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, was held at the UN on 26 March 2008. The book presents a Catholic vision for society based on the thought of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Among the panelists was Immaculée Ilibagiza, a Rwandan genocide survivor and author of Left to Tell: Discovering God amidst the Rwandan Holocaust.

Catholic Social Teaching Seminar

Our third annual seminar on Catholic Social Teaching for college students was held from May 18-23, on “Building a World of Hope and a Community for Peace.” We had a record number of participants: fifty-two students from around the country and Canada. The young people were eager and enthusiastic about their experience in the seminar. Some of them remarked: “I learned so much. I thought I knew a lot about my faith….What I expected paled to what I learned;” “My dream is to work at the UN….One of the reasons I came here was because of the Catholic component….It was so enriching. It changed my life;” “Thank you for providing this experience for us;” “This is something that needs to be continued….I’ve been so inspired;” “Our time is now, not tomorrow.”

HIV/AIDS Side Event

A side event on “Treating, Preventing and Caring: Three approaches to addressing HIV and AIDS,” will be held at the United Nations on June 11, 2008, on the occasion of the High-Level Meeting. The side event will identify and discuss three different approaches being undertaken to address the areas of prevention, treatment and care for people with and impacted by HIV/AIDS.

*** 

Congratulations!

On May 8, 2008, our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI nominated Monsignor Bernardito Auza, First Counsellor, at the Holy See Mission, as Apostolic Nuncio to HaitiHe will be ordained in Rome on June 3, 2008. We wish Archbishop-designate Auza our congratulations on his nomination and in his work on behalf of the Holy See in Haiti. Ad multos gloriosque annos!

2008 Path to Peace Award

Responsibility to protect and promote is the new name for security and governance, Pope Benedict XVI told the UN General Assembly on April 18.

On June 10^th during the 16^th annual Path to Peace Gala Dinner at the United Nations, three outstanding persons who dedicate their lives and services to protect and promote security and governance were recognized. The 2008 Path to Peace Award was bestowed upon President Elías Antonio Saca González of El Salvador whom we recognized for his collaboration on the Agreement Peace Process; and the Servitor Pacis Award was given to Joseph E. Spinnato, KGCHS, former Lieutenant of the Eastern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem; and Sister Mary Elizabeth Lloyd, MPF, for her work with child headed households in poor countries.

General Assembly Prayer Service 2008

SAVE THE DATE: The annual prayer service to mark the opening of the United Nations General Assembly will take place on Monday, September 15, 2008 at Holy Family Church. Details to follow.  

"tap for Slabs" update

After nine months of “labor pains,” the scaffolding in front of the Mission building was finally taken down at the end of March. The granite panels have been reset after one slab fell from the top story last June. We thank all those who participated in our “Help our tab, buy a slab” campaign. Contributions are still being accepted to cover our tab.

Donating to the Path to Peace Foundation is now only a click away. To

donate online please go to http://www.thepathtopeacefoundation.org/support_us.html

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