By Holy See Mission
Statement of H.E. Archbishop
Francis ChullikattApostolic NuncioPermanent Observer of the
Holy See to the Organization of American States Organization of American
States (OAS)Forty-Third Regular Session
of the General Assembly “Towards a Comprehensive Anti-Drug
Policy in the Americas” (La Antigua,
Guatemala, June 4-6, 2013) Mr. President, My
delegation is pleased to join the previous speakers in expressing appreciation
to the Government of Guatemala for hosting this 43rd Regular Session
of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States. This year’s
thematic discussion on a Comprehensive Anti-Drug Policy is not only timely but also
fundamentally necessary in a region where drug policies and drug abuse impact
users, their families and the communities in such profound and often tragic
ways. The global
illicit drug problem has become a multi-dimensional challenge demanding a
comprehensive approach that will assist those victimized and those who
victimize. The OAS report on “The Drug Problem in The Americas” provides a
valuable tool for analyzing the effectiveness of current policies as well as
exploring new approaches for strengthening existing policies, so as to
accomplish our shared goals and objectives to promote human dignity throughout
the Americas. This is a
problem which afflicts not only the human dignity of the user, but also their family
and the broader community – amply demonstrated by the violence linked to the
illicit drug trade in various parts of the world. This tragic reality is reflected
in the Secretary General’s recognition that the family of afflicted individuals
suffer both from the acute and long-term
consequences of substance-abuse. The family constitutes
the very basis of society. When illicit drug abuse destroys the social fabric
of families, it inevitably leads to the destabilization of broader society. It should
thus be a necessity that policy makers maintain focus on the family as the
cornerstone of prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, reintegration, and health
strategies so as to provide the only truly holistic and human-centered response
to drug abuse. Since causes
and consequences of dependence on psychotropic substances are related to the family
dynamic, prevention, treatment and
rehabilitation should harness family relationships in all their dimensions: biological,
religious, psychological, social, cultural and economic. Studies on drug abuse consistently
reinforce the conclusion that children with nurturing family environments
inherit the skills and values needed to avoid the scourges of illicit drugs. Those who fall prey to substance-abuse
need the support and care of their family to overcome addiction and become
examples for the youth on how to overcome the scourge of drugs. Protecting the
dignity of all people, especially the youth who represent our future, requires
the concerted effort of all in society: circumventing use of dangerous drugs
and alleviating the suffering of drug dependent persons throughout treatment,
care and support. Responding
to drug abuse and addiction, as well as
associated violence and crime, requires not only policies which hold
perpetrators responsible but also course of action which place the individual
at the center of policies that empower individuals and communities to make
responsible decisions which alone will break the chain of enslavement. Pope
Benedict, during his Apostolic Journey to Mexico last year, reminded us that this
requires educating “consciences, to teach moral responsibility and to expose
evil, to expose this idolatry of mammon that only enslaves people; and to
expose the false promises, untruthfulness and cheating that are behind drugs.”[1] The Holy See is firmly committed to educating
consciences and providing the means for alleviating suffering afflicting those who
are affected by drug abuse and by the drug trade. This is why we continue to
address it through the active role we play in various fora: providing avenues for dialogue to halt the perpetuation of
violence that characterizes the drug trade, working at the same time to diminish
demand for illicit drugs, in the hope that these efforts provide the opportunity
for communities, families and individuals to rebuild their lives on the only
sure foundation of peace and security – rather than on false promises by the
logic of drug use. Recent efforts in this regard by the Catholic Bishops of Honduras
and El Salvador are examples of how the Church can broker an end to the violence
of gangs whose activities include trafficking of drugs, and provide an opportunity
for hope and reconciliation in communities which for too long have been
ravished by the plight of gang violence. Mr.
President, Addressing
the international impact of these problems requires recommitting ourselves in
the first place to the recognition of the inherent dignity and worth of every
person, without exception. This implies
that, in discussing the drug trade, specifically, and the broader agenda of the
Organization of American States, in general, we always place protection of
human life at the center of our efforts.
The right to life, enshrined in Article 4 of the Inter-American
Convention on Human Rights, places the obligation on all States to protect
human life, which is, after all, the greatest resource we have. Despite this,
increasing efforts to undermine this fundamental right are manifest on many
fronts, notably the recommendation of the Second
Hemispheric Report on the Implementation of the Belem do Para Convention
for the “legal interruption of pregnancy” in clear contravention not only of the
Inter-American Convention but also of the Constitutions of many of the Member
States of the OAS. Efforts to
protect lives from illicit drugs, while at the same time attacking innocent human
life at its most vulnerable stage represents a gross contradiction undermining
the inalienable dignity of every human being. The common denominator linking both
of these immoral activities — the illicit drug trade and the abortion industry —
is the failure to promote and protect the dignity of each human life equally. Regarding
the resolution entitled “Human
rights, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression” (AG/RES.2807)
and the “Inter-American Convention against All forms of Discrimination and
Intolerance” (AG/RES.2804), the Holy See joins the Statement of the Bishops
Conference of Guatemala in expressing our opposition to these documents. The creation of new categories of
non-discrimination such as protections
on the basis of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression”, lack
definitions within international law, seek to circumvent national political
discussions and undermine national legal and cultural and religious traditions
of many of the States of the region. The
Holy See reaffirms that what is needed instead is redoubling our efforts to
uphold fundamental human rights founded upon inherent human dignity and the
natural moral order rather than creating new categories of persons. My delegation joins those delegations which
have lodged oral and written reservations to these documents. Mr.
President, As Pope
Francis reminds us: “dialogue between us should help to build bridges
connecting all people, in such a way that everyone can see in the other not an
enemy, not a rival, but a brother or sister to be welcomed and embraced!”[2] My delegation sincerely hopes that our
efforts during this session and in the year to come will serve to put such
sentiments into concrete actions so that this Organization and its membership can
become a beacon of fraternity between nations and peoples. We begin well when
we clearly identify what challenges our most precious resource, the human
person, and commit consistently to protect this immense treasure for today and for
tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. President.
[1] Interview of Pope Benedict XVI with the journalists during the
flight to Mexico, 23 March 2012.
[2] Address of Pope Francis to the Diplomatic Corps Accredited to the
Holy See, 22 March 2013.
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