To Representatives of International Catholic Organizations (2 June 1980)

On Monday, 2 June 1980, in Paris, the Holy Father addressed the Representatives of International Catholic Organizations and the International Catholic Center for UNESCO. In his speech, the Pope recalled the teaching of St John XXIII in Pacem in Terris on socialization at a world level.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

1. As part of my visit to UNESCO, I also wanted to meet the representatives of the International Catholic Organizations (ICO) and the International Catholic Center for UNESCO. I know that you follow closely, according to the status granted to you as a non-governmental organization, the activities of this United Nations Organization. Thank you for coming and for your interest.

As I did in New York on the occasion of my visit to the United Nations, I want to underline by my presence at UNESCO the interest that the Holy See takes in the life of international organizations, to the meetings where the major problems of the contemporary world are discussed, and to the multiple efforts of international cooperation which aim to promote, on a world scale, a life in common imbued with justice and respect for the inalienable rights of man. Because, as my predecessor John XXIII, who was one of the first permanent observers of the Holy See to UNESCO, said in his encyclical “Pacem in Terris”, socialization at world level is a fact. And this reality demands more than ever that a new order of international relations be established on the basis of an ethic of justice,

2. In this context, it is necessary to promote exchanges between peoples in order to enable each of them to give themselves their own identity, based on a dynamic conception of culture, which has its roots in the past, feeds on various historical contributions and becomes a creator of new expressions while remaining both faithful to its own values ​​and open to those of others as well as to a future of progress.

The Church cannot remain alien to this enterprise, which, because of its particular condition, is not linked to prospects of political power or economic interest, but is inspired solely by the mission that Christ entrusted.

Indeed, strong in her mandate from Christ to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples, the Church is present in all nations and cultures as the universal sacrament of salvation and unity for the human race: through her, humanity is reconciled with the Father; through it, brotherhood in Christ is open to all men; finally, through it, the Gospel fertilizes moral and religious energies and makes an original contribution to the establishment of a culture, a civilization based on the primacy of the spirit, justice and love.

3. In this perspective, I express my esteem and my encouragement to all Catholics who assume their own responsibility in international life, either, like many of you here, in the service of UNESCO, or, quite particularly, in international Catholic organizations, which have understood the important role they have to play in this area.

In fact, whether it concerns the study of major international problems or the sensitization and formation of opinion on them, an irreplaceable contribution is made by international Catholic organizations through their status as organizations non-governmental, as also by the centers of the Conference of ICOs.

I in no way underestimate the need for technical capabilities to tackle the delicate and complex issues in the international arena. But your own contribution must consist in the effort to always place at the heart of these problems, where the destiny of men and peoples is at stake, an ethical and religious dimension which is a fundamental component of human reality. No solution is possible through negotiations at the political, economic or technical level - necessary as they are - if it is not inspired by these fundamental dimensions. May respect and tolerance, the desire for loyal collaboration and dialogue never be an alibi for concealing or minimizing the original contribution which must be yours, starting from the truth of Christ,

4.This contribution will be all the more effective if it can be based on the experiences and reflections which come to you from the base of your organizations and movements, in the various places, countries and continents. This is a positive aspect of ICOs. By virtue of their structure and the origin of their members, they will know how to go beyond the horizons of limited nationalism or regionalism, while also avoiding an imperfect vision and practice of internationalism, seen as the privilege of the elite of the powerful or the exclusive domain of specialists. By the extension of their presence in all geographical and cultural milieus, by the density of their local and national circuits of coordination and information, by their deep communion with the Church at all levels where international cooperation is carried out,

Dear friends, dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord bless you and your families, may he bless your work at UNESCO, and all the Christifideles of the Catholic Organizations that you represent.

© Copyright 1980 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

 Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana