Commission on
Population and Development

On April 21, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a statement during the Fifty-Fourth Session of the Commission on Population and Development, which was held virtually. 

Archbishop Caccia spoke on two points: on food security and nutrition and on population and integral human development. He called for equitable distribution of food, noting the Catholic Church's efforts to "ensure that no one goes hungry." He emphasized that population growth is fully compatible with food security and stressed that the violation of the inalienable right of every person to life can never be an adequate answer to the challenges arising from population growth and food insecurity.

To read his statement, please click here. 

UN Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues

On April 21, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a statement before the 20th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which took place virtually.

Archbishop Caccia began his remarks by saying the rights outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples must be protected and promoted. 

The struggles of indigenous peoples should concern us all, he added, quoting Pope Francis in his recent exhortation Querida Amazonia. The Archbishop noted that solidarity with indigenous peoples always entails concern for their endangered lands as well, as attacks against the dignity of indigenous peoples and environmental abuses cannot be separated.

He concluded by warning against a globalization that does not recognize indigenous peoples' "different notion of progress."

To read his statement, please click here. 

"Perennial threats to indigenous peoples have been exacerbated because
of the pandemic"

On April 20, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia delivered opening remarks at a side event of the 2021 Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The side-event was dedicated to the topic of human rights violations in the Amazon during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was organized by the Pan-Amazonian Network of Episcopal Conferences (REPAM) and the NGO Mining Working Group.

The side event included participation by the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues, Mr. Francisco Cali, as well as distinguished representatives of the Mura tribe of Brazil, the Kichwa Tribe of Ecuador, and the Amahuacga Tribue of Peru. 

Archbishop Caccia began his remarks by sharing Pope Francis’ 2018 assessment that the “Native Amazonian peoples have probably never been so threatened on their own lands as they are at present.”  Those threats, he said, have only grown during the COVID-19 pandemic, with poor access to health care and extractive industries exacerbating their perennial vulnerabilities.

He called on the international community to address violations against indigenous peoples and against their natural habitat and home with determination and urgency. 

To read his statement, please click here. 

Job Opening for Office Manager

 

Job Description
Office Manager

 
Job Summary
The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York is seeking, for a full-time staff position, a dedicated, fast-learning, energetic, friendly and multi-tasking Catholic professional to serve long-term in the position of Office Manager. The Office Manager will undertake the following tasks, under the overall direction of the Permanent Observer of the Holy See:
 
Essential Duties

• Provide general administrative support to the executive office of the Mission 
• Organize and schedule meetings and appointments
• Monitor the Mission’s main email account
• Receive and make phone calls on behalf of the Mission. 
• Assist with hospitality to visiting Ambassadors and other visitors
• Coordinate office operations and procedures
• Monitor and maintain office supplies inventory
• Assist with the Mission’s official and electronic correspondence
• Help maintain the calendar of the Permanent Observer and the Mission. 
• Liaise with various United Nations offices and the U.S. Mission. 
• Assist with the Mission’s protocol book and filing of documents. 
• Prepare payroll and other checks to be signed in a timely fashion.
• Manage the bookkeeping of the Mission on Quickbooks.

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s Degree or greater is required.
• Proven office management, administrative or assistant experience, with knowledge of standard clerical practices, is preferred. 
• Experience working or volunteering in various institutions of, or inspired by, the Catholic Church is a plus. 
• Written and spoken fluency in English, including mastery of English grammar and spelling, is required. Working knowledge of Italian or other romance languages is a plus.

Key Competencies Needed

• Know and practice the Catholic faith and have familiarity with basic Catholic terminology.
• Can build and maintain good working relationships with members of the staff, interns, experts, UN officials, Catholic Church officials and others. 
• Be highly computer literate, competent to use or learn platforms and programs such as the Mail, Microsoft Suites, Adobe, Salesforce, Quickbooks, Mail Chimp, Safari, Google, etc. 
• Have strong organizational and time management skills. 
• Be able to keep good records. 
• Write and speak clearly.
• Have hands on experience with typical office machines (printers, fax machines, etc.)
• Be able to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Be able to thrive in a Catholic workplace environment.  

Availability

• The typical workweek at the Mission and the Foundation is Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, with an hour for lunch, which is provided free-of-charge on the premises. 

Salary and Benefits

• Starting salary of $32,500. Consistent with the hiring practices of the Holy See, the person begins with a twelve-month probationary period. A studio apartment at the John Paul II House on E. 38th Street and health insurance, including vision and dental, can also be provided. Should the housing and/or the insurance not be needed, then the salary would be adjusted accordingly. 
• Lunch is provided on workdays.
• 30 working days of vacation at a time coordinated with the Head of Mission.

Application

• Those interested in applying must send a Cover Letter (no more than two pages) and resumé by May 7, 2021 at noon (NY time) to job@holyseemission.org. 
• The application process is foreseen to be brisk, with reviews of applications completed by May 14, 2021 and first round interviews taking place the week of May 17, either in person for those in the New York area or via Zoom. 
• In the submissions, in addition to describing one’s background and reasons for the interest in the position, candidates are also asked to include basics as to citizenship, date of birth, marital status, competency in languages, when one would be able to start, the parish one attends, as well as the full contact information (including a working email address) for employment references as well as to one or more priests who can testify to the candidate’s practice of the faith. 

Path to Peace Gala, 2021

SAVE THE DATE: The annual Path to Peace Gala will be held at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan on November 16th, 2021, from 6-10 pm. The honoree will be His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. 

Celebrations!

CELEBRATIONS: On April 19th, staff and interns celebrated the birthday of staff member Portia Berry-Kilby with a delicious chocolate cake baked by Msgr. David Charters. On April 23rd, all enjoyed a cake in celebration of St. George's Day, the name day of Pope Francis (baptized Jorge Bergoglio), which is a holiday in the Vatican.