“To conclude this brief presentation, it may be observed that the
laws indicated above are notable not only for their undeniable substantial and
systematic relevance, but also because they represent a further significant
step on the part of the
Vatican legislator towards the refinement of its legal code, necessary to
assume and promote the constructive and useful proposals of the international
Community with a view to more intense international cooperation and a more
effective pursuit of the
Vatican City, 11 July 2013 (VIS) – A communique was published this
morning by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and
Itinerant Peoples to mark the occasion of the 2013 World Tourism Day. The full
original text is given
below:
“On September 27, we will celebrate World Tourism Day, following the
theme suggested for this year by the World Tourism Organization: 'Tourism and
water: protecting our common future'. This is in line with the 'International
Year of Cooperation
for Water', that was proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations,
during the International Decade for Action 'Water, source of life'
(2005-2015), in order to highlight 'that water is critical for sustainable
development, especially for
environmental integrity and eradication of poverty and hunger, it is essential
for the health and well-being of human beings, and is fundamental to achieve
the Millennium Development Goals'.
“The Holy See also wishes to join in this commemoration, bringing its
contribution from its own perspective, aware of the importance of the
phenomenon of tourism at the present time and the challenges and opportunities
it provides to our
mission of evangelization. This is one of the economic sectors with the
largest and fastest growth in the world. We must not forget that last year it
was exceeded the milestone of one billion international tourists, to which we
must add the even higher
figures of local tourism.
“In the tourism sector, water is of crucial importance, an asset and
a resource. It is an asset because people feel naturally drawn to it, and
there are millions of tourists seeking to enjoy this natural element during
their days off, by
choosing as their holiday destination some ecosystems where water is the most
specific element (wetlands, beaches, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, islands,
glaciers or snowfields, just to name a few), or trying to grasp its many
benefits (especially in
seaside resorts or spas). At the same time, water is also a resource for the
tourism industry and it is essential, among other things, to hotels,
restaurants and leisure activities.
“Looking at the future, tourism will be a real benefit if it will be
able to manage these resources according to the criteria of the 'green
economy', an economy whose environmental impact is kept within acceptable
limits. We are invited,
therefore, to promote ecotourism, environmentally friendly and sustainable,
that can surely promote the creation of new jobs, support the local economy
and reduce poverty.
“There is no doubt that tourism plays a fundamental role in
preserving the environment, by being one of its great ally, but also a fierce
enemy. If, for instance, in order to achieve a quick and easy economic profit,
the tourism industry is
allowed to pollute a place, this location will cease to be a popular
destination for tourists.
“We know that water, key to sustainable development, is an essential
element for life. Without water there is no life. 'However, year after year
the pressure on this resource increases. One out of three people live in a
country with moderate to
high-water shortages, and it is possible that by 2030 the shortage will affect
almost half of the world’s population, since its demand may exceed the
supply by 40%'. According to UN data, about one billion people have no access
to drinking water.
And the challenges related to this issue will increase significantly in the
coming years, mainly because it is poorly distributed, polluted and wasted, or
priority is given to certain incorrect or unjust uses, in addition to the
consequences of climate
change. Tourism also is often in competition with other sectors for the usage
of water, and not infrequently it is noted that water is abundant and is
wasted in tourism structures, while for the surrounding populations
it is scarce.
“The sustainable management of this natural resource is a challenge
for the social, economic and environmental order, but especially because of
the ethical nature, starting from the principle of the universal destination
of the goods of the
earth, which is a natural and original right, to which it must be submitted
all the legislation relating to those goods. The Social Doctrine of the Church
highlights the validity and application of this principle, with explicit
references to water.
“Indeed, our commitment to preserving creation stems from recognizing
it as God’s gift to the whole human family, and from hearing the
Creator’s calling, who invites us to preserve it, aware of being the
stewards, not owners, of the
gift He gives us.
“Concern for the environment is an important topic for Pope Francis,
who has already made many references to it. In the very mass of the
inauguration of his Petrine ministry he invited us to be 'stewards of
creation, of God’s plan written
in nature, the guardians of the other, of the environment; let us not allow'
he said, 'that signs of destruction and death accompany our journey in this
world', recalling that 'everything is entrusted to the custody of man, and it
is everyone’s
responsibility'.
“Stressing even more this calling, the Holy Father stated during a
General Audience: 'Cultivating and preserving creation is a directive of God
given not only at the beginning of history, but to each one of us; it is part
of his plan; it means
allowing the world to grow responsibly, transforming it to be a garden, a
living place for all .... Instead we are often driven by pride of domination,
of possession, manipulation, exploitation; we do not 'preserve' it, do not
respect it, do not
consider it as a free gift to care for. We are losing the attitude of wonder,
contemplation, listening to creation'.
“If we foster this attitude of listening, we can discover how water
speaks to us also of his Creator and reminds us of his story of love for
humanity. Regarding this, it is eloquent the prayer for the blessing of water,
that the Roman liturgy
uses both at the Easter Vigil and in the Ritual of baptism, where it is
recalled that the Lord used this gift as a sign and remembrance of his
goodness: Creation, the flood that puts an end to sin, the crossing of the Red
Sea that delivers from slavery,
the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, the washing of the feet that turns into
the precept of love, the water pouring out of the side of Christ Crucified,
the command of the Risen Lord to make disciples and baptize them ... are
milestones in the history of
Salvation, in which water takes on a high symbolic value.
“Water speaks of life, purification, regeneration and transcendence.
In the liturgy, water manifests the life of God shared with us in Christ.
Jesus himself presents himself as the one who quenches our thirst, from whose
breast rivers of living
water shall flow, and in his dialogue with the Samaritan woman he says:
'whoever drinks of the water that I will give will never thirst'. Thirst
evokes the deepest yearnings of the human heart, his failures and his quest
for authentic happiness beyond
himself. And Christ is the one who gives the water that quenches the thirst
within, he is the source of rebirth, the bath that purifies. He is the source
of living water.
“For this reason, it is necessary to reiterate that all those
involved in the phenomenon of tourism have a big responsibility for water
management, in order for this sector to be effectively a source of wealth at a
social, ecological, cultural
and economic level. While we must work to fix the damage already done, we
should also encourage its rational use and minimize the impact by promoting
appropriate policies and providing effective ways, aiming at protecting our
common future. Our attitude
towards nature and the mismanagement of its resources cannot burden others as
well as future generations.
“Therefore more determination from politicians and entrepreneurs is
necessary, because, although all are aware of the challenges made by the issue
of water, we are conscious that this willingness should be put into practice
with binding,
specific and verifiable commitments.
“This situation requires above all a change of mentality leading to
adopt a different lifestyle marked by sobriety and self-discipline. We must
ensure that tourists are aware and reflect on their responsibilities and the
impact of their trip.
They must be convinced that not everything is allowed, although they
personally carry the economic burden. We need to educate and encourage the
small gestures allowing us not to waste or pollute the water and, at the same
time, help us appreciate even
more its importance.
“We share the Holy Father’s concern to take 'all the serious
commitment to respect and preserve creation, to be responsible for every
person, to oppose the culture of waste, to promote a culture of solidarity and
encounter'.
“With St. Francis, the 'Little Poor' of Assisi, we raise our hymn to
God, praising him for his creatures: 'Praised be to you, my Lord, for sister
Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and pure'”.
___________________________________________________________
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 11 July 2013 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father:
- appointed Archbishop Leo Boccardi as apostolic nuncio to Iran. Archbishop
Boccardi was previously apostolic nuncio to Sudan and Eritrea.
- appointed Fr. Miguel Angel Cabello Almada, of the clergy of Caacupe,
Paraguay, as bishop of Conception (area 30,984, population 406,000, Catholics
399,000, priests 34, religious 66), Paraguay. The bishop-elect was born in
Piribebuy, Paraguay in
1965 and was ordained a priest in 1991. He obtained a licentiate and doctorate
in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and has
served in a number of pastoral roles, including head of the sanctuary
“Dulce Nombre de
Jesus” in Piribebuy, formator of the national minor seminary of
Villarrica, vicar of the parish of Tobati, professor in the Higher Institute
of Theology, Asuncion, vicar of the parish of “Primaro de marzo”,
Caacupe, and spiritual
director of the national minor seminary in Caacupe. He succeeds Bishop
Zacarias Ortiz Rolon, S.D.B., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the
same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- appointed Bishop Jan Orosch as archbishop of Trnava (area 4,833,
population 52,070, Catholics 51,915, priests 63, permanent deacons 1,
religious 38), Slovakia. Bishop Orosch, previously apostolic administrator
sede vacante of Trnava, was born in
Bratislava, Slovakia in 1953, was ordained to the priesthood in 1976, and
received episcopal ordination in 2004.
___________________________________________________________
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