understand that the stakes are so high, time is so short and the task is so
large that we cannot afford to allow those differences to divide us. When
400,000 people marched for climate justice in New York last September, the
slogan was 'To change everything, we need everyone'. Everyone includes
political
leaders, of course. But having attended many meetings with social movements
about the COP summit in Paris, I can report this: there is zero tolerance for
yet another failure being dressed up as a success for the cameras. ... If the
deal
fails to bring about immediate emission reductions while providing real and
substantive support for poor countries, then it will be declared a failure. As
it should be".
 "What we must always remember is that it's not too late to veer off the
dangerous road we are on, the one that is leading us towards 4 degrees of
warming", emphasised Naomi Klein. "Indeed we could still keep warming below 1.5
degrees if we made it our top collective priority. It would be difficult, to be
sure. As difficult as the rationing and industrial conversions that were once
made in wartime. As ambitious as the anti-poverty and public works programs
launched in the aftermath of the Great Depression and the Second World War. But
difficult is not the same as impossible. And giving up in the face of a task
that could save countless and lives prevent so much suffering - simply because
it is difficult, costly and requires sacrifice from those of us who can most
afford to make do with less - is not pragmatism. It is surrender of the most
cowardly kind. And there is no cost-benefit analysis in the world that is
capable of justifying it".

___________________________________________________________

 Archbishop Tomasi: terrorism is the antithesis of the values and commitments
of
peaceful national and international co-existence
 Vatican City, 1 July 2015 (VIS) - Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi, Holy See
permanent observer at the United Nations and other international bodies in
Geneva spoke yesterday at the 29 th Session of the Human Rights Council Panel
on
the effects of terrorism on the enjoyment by all persons of human rights and
fundamental freedoms.
 "The Holy See Delegation would like to denounce most especially terrorist acts
carried out in the name of religion", said the nuncio. "As Pope Francis states,
'religious fundamentalism, even before it eliminates human beings by
perpetrating horrendous killings, eliminates God himself, turning him into a
mere ideological pretext'. ... Acts of terrorism cause the destruction of human
rights, political freedoms and the rule of law. Terrorism is the antithesis of
the shared values and commitments which serve as the basis for peaceful
coexistence domestically and internationally. Indeed, with the proliferation of
terrorism and the impunity which its proponents enjoy, we can say that there is
also a 'globalisation of terrorism'. ... A situation is thus created where the
positive political will of the major players is required in order to address
and
resolve the problem of global terrorism and its disastrous effects".
 "The Holy See is deeply convinced that terrorism, especially those forms that
derive from religious extremism, must be confronted with concerted political
efforts by all players, especially by all the local and regional parties
involved, as well as by the major international players, whose role is
indispensable in negotiating and finding a viable solution, diplomatic or
otherwise, to protect life and the future stability of the regions touched by
terrorism. The response to terrorism cannot be merely by way of military
action.
Political participation, fair and just legal systems, and cutting all forms of
public and private support for terrorism are means not only to respond, but
also
to prevent, terrorism. It is also important to remember the positive obligation
that States have to undertake in order to protect their citizens and, where
that
is not possible, to collaborate with other regional authorities in order to
address the threats posed by terrorist groups", concluded Archbishop Tomasi.

___________________________________________________________

 Message for Sea Sunday: more resources to combat human trafficking and
exploitation
 Vatican City, 1 July 2015 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care
of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples today published its message for Sea Sunday
(12
July), signed by Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio and Bishop Joseph
Kalathiparambil, respectively president and secretary of the dicastery. The
following is the full text of the message:
 "To transport goods and products around the world, the global economy deeply
relies on the maritime industry supported by a workforce of around 1.2 million
seafarers, who at sea and in the oceans frequently facing the strong and
powerful forces of nature, manage ships of all kinds and dimensions.
 As ports are built far away from the cities, and because of the fast
turnaround
in loading and unloading cargo, the crews sailing the ships are like
'invisible'
people. As individuals we do not acknowledge the importance and the benefits
that the maritime profession brings to our life and we become aware of their
work and sacrifices only when disasters strike.
 In spite of the technological development that makes life on board more
comfortable and makes it easier to communicate with loved ones, seafarers are
forced to spend long months in a restricted space, away from their families.
Restrictive and unjust regulations often limit shore leave when in port and the
continuous threat of piracy in many sea routes adds stress while sailing. We
are
still confident that the ratification and coming into force of the Maritime
Labour Convention 2006 by a growing number of countries, accompanied by
effective inspections by flag States will result in a tangible improvement of
the labour and working conditions on board all ships.
 In the present day, with war, violence and political instability in several
countries, a new phenomenon has been affecting the shipping industry. Since
last
year, alongside the coast guards and the naval forces of Italy, Malta and
European Union, the merchant vessels transiting in the Mediterranean Sea have
been actively involved in the by-now daily task of rescuing thousands and
thousands of migrants trying to reach the coasts of Italy in all kinds of
overcrowded and substandard crafts.
 Since time immemorial seafarers have fulfilled the obligation to rescue people
in distress at sea under any conditions. However, as it has been stressed by
other maritime organisations, for the merchant vessels rescuing migrants at sea
remains a health, safety and security risk for seafarers. Commercial ships are
designed to transport goods (containers, oil, gas, etc.) and all the facilities
are custom-made for the limited number of crew members on board. For these
reasons merchant vessels are not equipped to provide assistance to a large
number of migrants.
 Seafarers are professionally qualified in their work and trained to handle a
number of emergency situations but rescuing hundreds of often frantic men,
women
and children is something that no training course in maritime school has
prepared them for. Furthermore, the physical effort in seeking to rescue as
many
persons as possible, and witnessing numerous lifeless bodies in the sea, render
the experience traumatic and leave the crews exhausted and psychologically
distressed, in need of specific psychological and spiritual support.
 On Sea Sunday as the Catholic Church we would like to express our appreciation
for seafarers in general for their fundamental contribution to the
international
trade. This year in particular, we would like to recognise the great
humanitarian effort made by the crews of merchant vessels that without
hesitation, sometimes risking their own life, have engaged in many rescue
operations saving thousands of migrants lives.
 Our gratitude goes also to all the chaplains and volunteers of the Apostleship
of the Sea for their daily commitment in serving the people of the sea; their
presence in the docks is the sign of the Church in their midst and shows the
compassionate and merciful face of Christ.
 In conclusion, while we appeal to the governments in Europe, the countries of
origin of migration flows, and international organisations to cooperate in
searching for a durable and definitive political solution to instability in
those countries, we would also like to call for more resources to be committed
not only for search and rescue missions but also to prevent the trafficking and
exploitation of persons escaping from conditions of conflict and poverty".

___________________________________________________________

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