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October 9, 2020

Holy See Mission Celebrates the
25th Anniversary of the
Blessing of Its Headquarters

Pope John Paul II blesses the Offices of the Holy See Mission and of the Path to Peace Foundation on October 7, 1995.

 

NEW YORK — On October 7, the Holy See Mission celebrated the 25th Anniversary of its headquarters, blessed by Saint Pope John Paul II on October 7, 1995. 

The blessing took place while Pope John Paul II was in New York to speak at the United Nations General Assembly during the UN's Fiftieth Anniversary Celebrations and to make an apostolic pilgrimage to Newark, New York and Baltimore.

The event took place on Saturday afternoon in the presence of 150 guests, including various U.S. Cardinals and bishops. 

The Mission offices were purchased by the Path to Peace Foundation in 1994 for $3 million, with the help of a $2 million loan from the Knights of Columbus (with $1.5 million eventually converted in 1998 into a grant) from the Knights of Columbus in honor of Pope John Paul II's call for the family of nations to walk together on the path of peace.

The offices had been renovated by the Path to Peace Foundation in August and September 1994, in anticipation of Pope John Paul II's anticipated visit to the United Nations on October 21, 1994. The Pope, however, slipped in his bathtub in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace and broke his right femur on April 30, 1994. He was hospitalized for three weeks, delaying his visit to the United States by a year. 

The Offices — housing both the Mission and the Path to Peace Foundation — were unofficially opened with a reception for the Board of Directors, Advisors and Benefactors of the Foundation on October 21, 1994 and had been used since, but the official opening came with John Paul II's visit. 

"This newly acquired facility is a testimony to the support and commitment of so many people both to the Holy See's Mission and to the Path to Peace Foundation in their joint work for world peace," John Paul II declared before blessing the premises. "To all of you, benefactors and volunteers, I express my heart felt gratitude." 

He said that the dedication of the new offices is an opportunity to "rededicate ourselves to [God's] service, working and praying always for the salvation of the whole human family." 

The Path to Peace Foundation was established in 1991, by then Archbishop Renato R. Martino, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, together with friends and supporters of the Holy See Mission. The Foundation, legally independent from but integrally united to the Holy See Mission, is a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501c3 of the IRS Code. Its principal purpose is to support the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See at the United Nations and to spread the message of peace by which the Catholic Church, through the words and activities of the Pope and of the Holy See, strives to “guide our steps into the path of peace” (Lk 1:79). 

In his remarks prior to the blessing, Archbishop Renato Martino said, "Today is a day of great joy and celebration for the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations and for the Path to Peace Foundation." 

He thanked the "many benefactors and volunteers" who helped obtain the residence. He told the Pope, "Your presence among us is a special sign of your support and encouragement of our efforts in the international community," and stated, "Your blessing will strengthen us to remain steadfast as we face the challenges of the future." 

When the Holy See became a Permanent Observer State at the United Nations on April 6, 1964, the Office of the Mission and the residence of the first Permanent Observer, Msgr. Alberto Giovannetti, was at the Church of the Holy Family on East 47th Street, very close to the United Nations. 

In 1975, after the descendants of Hugh and Julia Grant decided to donate the Grant family home on East 72nd Street to serve as the Residence of the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN, the offices moved there as well, where they remained until late 1994, when the Offices moved to East 39th Street. The home on East 72nd remained as the Residence of the Holy See, where the Permanent Observer and the diplomats assigned by Holy See's Secretariat of State continue to reside and where St. John Paul II stayed in 1995, Pope Benedict in 2008, and Pope Francis in 2015. 

John Paul II's visit remains the only time a Pope has visited the Offices of the Holy See Mission, although Pope St. Paul VI visited the Church of the Holy Family on October 4, 1965, for an interreligious encounter while the Mission was situated on the premises of the parish.

Archbishop Caccia and staff and interns of the Holy See Mission cut a cake on October 7 celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Mission headquarters. The bust of Pope Saint John Paul II, who dedicated and blessed the headquarters, is seen in the left side. 

 

Words of Pope John Paul II
at the Blessing and Dedication
of the Offices of the
Holy See Mission and of 
the Path to Peace Foundation

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. As the Third Millennium approaches, we are given an opportunity to reflect on the Lord’s power and presence in our lives and in our world. Nearly two thousand years ago Jesus Christ ushered in the Kingdom of God here on earth, and in our own time he continues to draw men and women to the light of his truth. Just as he commanded his Church in her earliest days to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matth., 28, 19), so he calls the faithful today, Bishops, priests, Religious and laity alike, to be instruments of evangelization for the salvation of the entire human family.

2. It is ultimately for this reason that, over thirty years ago, Pope Paul VI initiated the formal participation of the Holy See in the United Nations Organization, offering the cooperation of the Church’s spiritual and humanitarian expertise to the men and women of good will who work for the advancement of peace and justice in the international community. In this capacity, the Holy See continues to remind the nations that their focal point must always be the integral good of the human person.

3. With the intention of expanding this activity beyond the strictly diplomatic parameters of the Holy See’s Mission to the United Nations Organization, the Path to Peace Foundation was established in 1991. Since then, the Foundation has borne much fruit in spreading the message by which the Catholic Church, through the ministry of the Successor of Peter and the activities of the Holy See, strives to “guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luc 1, 79).

Every year, the Path to Peace Foundation pays tribute to a single individual for his or her outstanding service to the cause of world peace, and acknowledges those often unsung heroes in many fields, whose sole purpose and desire is to be present where needs are greatest. It likewise recognizes men and women who give of their time, talents and resources in order to provide the means to sustain and expand the Church’s evangelical mission of making Christ known to the ends of the earth.

4. This newly acquired facility is a testimony to the support and commitment of so many people both to the Holy See’s Mission and to the Path to Peace Foundation in their joint work for world peace. To all of you, benefactors and volunteers, I express my heartfelt gratitude. As we dedicate this building to the cause of Christ, let us rededicate ourselves to his service, working and praying always for the salvation of the whole human family.

Various remembrances from the Dedication and Blessing of the Offices of the Holy See Mission and of the Path to Peace Foundation on October 7, 1995. Top Left: Pope John Paul II presents then Archbishop Renato Martino, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, a gilded bronze bas-relief of Our Lady and the Child Jesus by the sculptor E. Manfrini, which is still among the Mission office's prized possessions and objects of devotion. Top Right: Archbishop Martino addresses Pope John Paul II. Middle Left:  A plaque remembering the generosity of the Knights of Columbus for the purchase. Middle right: Plaque remembering the leadership of Mr. Thomas Labrecque in the project. Bottom left: A plaque remembering John Paul II's visit. Bottom right: Various US Cardinals and Bishops assembled in the Chapel for the blessing, including in the front row seated from left to right Cardinal William Baum (emeritus of Washington, DC, then the Vatican's Apostolic Penitentiary), Cardinal Edmund Szoka (Detroit), Cardinal John O'Connor (New York), Cardinal William Keeler (Baltimore). 

 

Archbishop Caccia
During the General Debate
of the Third Committee

NEW YORK — On October 6, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, gave a statement during the General Debate of the Third Committee of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

The Third Committee is dedicated to social, humanitarian and cultural affairs: human rights issues, the advancement of women, protection of children, indigenous issues, the treatment of refugees, the promotion of fundamental freedoms through the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, the right to self-determination, social development questions related to youth, family, ageing, persons with disabilities, crime prevention, criminal justice, and international drug control. 

Normally the Third Committee begins with a General Debate Statement and then, from October through December, debates many agenda items and considers dozens of draft resolutions (in 2019, there were 64). This year, because of COVID-19, the Committee decided to ask each delegation to address what it considered priority agenda items during the General Debate Statement, with the possibility of submitting a written statement of whatever length that will become part of the formal record and summarizing it in five minute delivered remarks. 

In his written statement, Archbishop Caccia focused on how the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations is a privileged opportunity to "reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small."

He addressed how the promotion and protection of human rights is essential in caring for the poor, elderly, sick, children in the womb, those on death row, religious believers, those with disabilities, the unemployed, women victimized by human trafficking, prostitution and pornography, refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons, members of indigenous communities, those suffering racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance, addicted to drugs, and victims of corruption. 

To read the text of his intervention, please click here

 

Archbishop Caccia
During the General Debate
of the Second Committee

Msgr. Fredrik Hansen of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations gives the Second Committee General Debate statement of Archbishop Caccia at the United Nations on October 9, 2020. 

 

NEW YORK — On October 9, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, gave a statement during the General Debate of the Second Committee of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The statement was delivered by Msgr. Fredrik Hansen of the Holy See Mission. 

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial Committee) deals with issues relating to economic growth and development such as macroeconomic policy questions; financing for development; sustainable development; human settlements; globalization and interdependence; eradication of poverty; operational activities for development; agriculture development, food security and nutrition; information and communications technologies for development; and towards global partnerships.

In his statement, Archbishop Caccia said that the revitalization of the Second Committee must involve greater alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. The key aspects of the Second Committee's agenda, he said, were advancement of integral human development and the protection of our common home. Human rights and dignity are essential, he added, but stated that these are properly the jurisdiction of the Third Committee and belong there.

As the Decade of Action for Sustainable Development begins, he said we cannot accept that so many are barely surviving or going without daily sustenance. The COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted the vulnerability of everyone, but especially the poorest, he said.

He concluded by saying that the issues under discussion by the Committee have real world consequences and deserve attention and action. 

 To read the text of his intervention, please click here

 

Archbishop Caccia During the
Second Committee Debate on
Macroeconomic Policy Questions

NEW YORK — On October 7, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, gave a statement before the Second Committee of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Agenda Item 17 dedicated to "Macroeconomic Policy Questions."

In his statement, Archbishop Caccia said that macroeconomic policy questions should carefully ponder their ethical implications so that the economic will be genuinely at the service of the human person.

With regard to the devastating economic consequences of COVID-19, he said that the short- and long-term impact on developing countries is particularly noteworthy.

He urged special attention be given to micro, small and medium-sized businesses and to workers in "informal" employment, who are particularly at risk.

He also mentioned the debt-related financial obligations of developing States, which negatively impact their programs of education, health, housing and infrastructure. The Holy See, he said, encourages the international community to consider debt restructuring or cancellation.

He mentioned the harmful consequences of illicit financial flows and the precarious situation of many migrant workers who send most of what they earn as remittances to their families. 

To read the text of the intervention, please click here

 

Archbishop Caccia During the
Second Committee Debate on
Globalization and Interdependence

NEW YORK — On October 9, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, gave a statement before the Second Committee of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Agenda Item 22, dedicated to "Globalization and Interdependence."

In his statement, Archbishop Caccia noted that between 1990-2019, the number of those residing outside their country or birth or citizenship rose by 78 percent. Migration for many, he said, is a need rather than a choice, with many factors pushing them to go on the move. He reiterated Pope Francis' recent words to the UN General Assembly that "actions are need … now."

He encouraged all States and civil society to reaffirm the values of the Global Compact for Migration and take concrete action to ensure more safe, orderly, regular and voluntary migration and to remedy those economic and social conditions at home so that migration won't seem the only option for those suffering.

He emphasized the benefits of migration toward integral development in countries of origin, transit and destination.

He urged particular protection of and care for migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequent economic recession and called on the global community to make good on its commitment to leave no one behind. 

To read the text of the intervention, please click here

 

Archbishop Caccia at the
Second Committee Debate on
Groups of States in
Special Situations

Msgr. David Charters of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations delivers Archbishop Caccia's statement on Group States in Special Situations on October 8. 

 

NEW YORK — On October 8, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, presented a statement before the Second Committee of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Agenda Item 23, dedicated to "Groups of Countries in Special Situations." The statement was delivered by Msgr. David Charters of the Holy See Mission. 

In his statement, Archbishop Caccia said that countries in special situations — Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) — must remain high on the agenda of the UN's Second Committee.

He praised the progress that has happened in LDCs in the last decade, although there is still much work to be done there on poverty eradication, hunger, education, and protecting ecosystems, and noted that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on remittances, trade, travel and development aid. 

Similarly, he lauded the progress that has happened in LLDCS in trade, transit facilitation, infrastructure, healthcare, and education, but noted that one-third of the population of LLDCs remains in poverty, there's increasing unemployment and low access to safe drinking water and sanitation. He called for greater attention to financing, investment, disaster risk reduction, climate action and to facilitating their integration into the global economy. 

He also noted advances in SIDS with regard to waste management, sanitation facilities, food security, nutrition, education, entrepreneurial opportunities for the young, and access of women to finance and the work force. He called for greater focus on social protection systems, water and sanitation, sustainable transportation, development finance, income inequality and the multiple threats from climate change. 

To read the text of the intervention, please click here

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Remembering Three Papal Visits
to the United Nations

NEW YORK — The beginning of October is a time to recall three papal visits to the United Nations: Pope Paul VI on October 4, 1965; Pope John Paul II on October 2, 1979 and October 5, 1995. 

We thought it would be good to show some of the photos from our archives of those historic days and to provide links for their remarks. 

Altogether there have been five papal visits to the UN premises. The other two took place on April 18, 2008 (Pope Benedict XVI) and September 25, 2015 (Pope Francis). 

To access the remarks of the Popes at the UN, please click below on the links: 

Pope Paul VI, October 4, 1965

Pope John Paul II, October 2, 1979

Pope John Paul II, October 5, 1995

Pope Benedict XVI, April 18, 2008

Pope Francis, September 25, 2015. 

Pope Francis, September 25, 2020 (video message)

 

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