Statements
This week the Holy See Mission delivered two statements at the UN.
Open Debate on Women Peace and Security: Sexual Violence in Conflict
Security Council
On May 15, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN, gave an intervention during the Security Council Open Debate on “Women and Peace and Security: Sexual Violence in Conflict.”
In his statement, Archbishop Auza noted the recent report of the Secretary General that detailed the horrendous impact sexual violence in conflict situations is having on women, girls and entire communities. He drew specific attention to the use of sexual violence as a terrorism tactic and called upon the international community to give priority to stopping this “particularly horrendous violence against women and children.” He applied the Responsibility to Protect to the situation of conflict-related sexual violence and sexual violence as an instrument of terrorism and called upon the international community to help States fulfill their responsibility and to bring conflicts to an end. He stated that the role of women in dialogue and meditation efforts, post-conflict peacebuilding and reconciliation measures, is essential. He said that women and girls who are being savagely violated look to the Security Council for hope and action and summoned the Council not to let them down.
His statement can be found here.
SDG Action Event on
Innovation and Connectivity
Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and
Innovation for the SDGs
On May 17, the Holy See gave an intervention during a United Nations event entitled "SDG Action Event on Innovation and Connectivity," as part of the Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
In its statement, the Holy See praised the enormous technological progress that has been occurring and said that it is important to seize the opportunities it provides and manage the risks. It noted that Pope Francis has sought to encounter persons and peoples throughout the world through the means this technology provides, noting Pope Francis’ millions of Twitter followers and record-breaking number of retweets, as well as his recent “TED Talk,” in which the Pope Francis called for a “revolution of tenderness” to accompany the technological revolution. This tenderness is not weakness, he said, but rather a form of compassion that considers the inclusion of the most vulnerable in the quest to discover advancements in science and technology.
The statement can be found here.
26th Annual Path to Peace Gala to be held Wednesday May 24
Join Us for the 2017 Path to Peace Gala
Path to Peace Foundation 26th Anniversary Gala Dinner
Wednesday, May 24, 2017 | 6 p.m. Reception | 7 p.m. Dinner
The Pierre Hotel
Fifth Avenue and 61st Street, Manhattan
2017 Path to Peace Award Recipient
Mario Cardinal Zenari
Papal Nuncio to Syria
"This mission is a privilege given to me by God... How could a representative of the pope flee the place where they need him most?"
Each year since its inception in 1991, the Path to Peace Foundation holds a gala dinner to honor a notable figure who embodies a commitment to the development of peace in the national and international arenas. This year, the Path to Peace Award will be granted to Cardinal Mario Zenari for his commitment to defending Christians and other persecuted minorities in the region. Cardinal Zenari has served as Papal Nuncio to Syria for the past eight years, remaining the country throughout the violent conflict that began in 2011, and was appointed Cardinal by Pope Francis on November 19, 2016.
Cardinal Zenari is both a sign and an instrument of the Church’s — and Pope Francis’ — labors and prayers for peace in the Middle East. In honoring him, the Path to Peace Foundation not only wants to bring attention to his efforts and have his powerful message echo before the international community here at the United Nations, but we also hope to send him back to Syria with the prayers, best wishes, and concrete assistance of some of the funds raised at the Gala. Guests will have the chance to meet and speak with Cardinal Zenari at this year’s Gala.
2017 Servitor Pacis Award
Sister Mary Angel Acayo
Little Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Gulu
The Path to Peace Foundation will also honor Sister Mary Angel Acayo with the Servitor Pacis award, an award given to unsung heroes for their commitment to peace, often in the most remote fields, who spend their lives with the sole purpose and desire of being where the need is greater, where the wounds are festering and the pain unending. Sister Mary Angel is a true “Servant of Peace” as she works tirelessly works to aid women who are survivors of sexual violence in Uganda. When she came to speak at a Holy See event at the UN, she told poignant stories of her work to change social perception on rape, to counsel abused women and girls, and to educate men and community elders to break the cycle of the “rape-to-marry” culture she has encountered in some of the villages of Uganda.
The Path to Peace Foundation supports the work of the Holy Father at the United Nations, and enables the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN to participate more fully in working towards peace at the United Nations, by engaging in negotiations, holding events and conferences, supporting key staff members, and funding special projects that advance the Christian values of peace and charity worldwide.
We cordially invite you to join us for what is sure to be an unforgettable evening.
Please see here for ticket and table pricing. We kindly ask you to RSVP at holyseemission.org/PathtoPeace2017 by Monday, May 22.
Upcoming Events
These are the events for which we are presently taking sign-ups. Due to heightened UN security, please be sure to register by the deadline, providing the name that exactly corresponds to your state-issued ID. More information regarding each event will be provided shortly. Please contact event@holyseemission.org with any questions.
May 22: Ensuring the Right of All to Remain in Dignity, Peace and Security in their Countries of Origin
1:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
UN Headquarters, Conference Room 4
Registration for this event for those do not have a UN Grounds Pass is now closed.
June 1: Parenting and Optimal Child Development
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
UN Headquarters, Conference Room 2
RSVP by May 29 at holyseemission.org/rsvp1June2017