March 1993
American Purpose
Issue 3, Volume 7

Publication Date: April 1, 1993
Posted: Thursday, April 4, 1993

To indicate something of the range and distinctive character of the Holy See's public concerns, the balance of this issue of American Purpose will be given over to Pope John Paul II's annual New Year's address to the diplomats accredited to the Holy See. After being greeted in the name of the diplomatic corps by its dean, Ambassador Joseph Amichia of Ivory Coast, the pope led the assembled representatives on a global tour d'horizon from the viewpoint of an observer whose concerns for the moral health of the human family are inevitably shaped by the facts of political and economic life—and strife. The text that follows, which is a translation from the French original, appeared in the English weekly edition of the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano. Section numbers have been omitted and subheads added.—G.W.    


In This Issue :

The Vatican and the Worlds of this World
Amidst all the world's other problems—the possible outbreak of a general Balkan war, genocide in the south of Sudan, the continued unraveling of other African states, troublesome hints of a possible trade war, the feverish quest for weapons of mass destruction by Iraq, Iran, and North Korea, the stalled Middle East peace process, the rising tide of aggressive Islamic revivalism, the travail of the post-USSR, etc., etc.—one would not have expected to find U.S. diplomatic relations with the Vatican in some jeopardy in the early days of the Clinton administration. (One wouldn't have expected the question of homosexuals in the military to dominate the headlines for a week, either; but, evidently, there's a lot that we're going to have to get used to sub regno Gulielmi.)  [More]

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:
At the beginning of the year 1993, it is a particular pleasure for me to receive the good wishes which in your name His Excellency Ambassador Joseph Amichia has so courteously expressed. I thank you warmly for your presence here today, as also for the interest and benevolent understanding with which you follow day by day the activity of the Holy See.  [More]

The Travail of Africa
War is tearing apart many of the peoples of Africa. In Liberia, for example, the path to reconciliation is proving hard to find. Despite the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States, this country is continuing to be a theater of unheard-of violence which spares neither the Church nor her personnel. It is becoming vital to put an end to these battles, to the ceaseless influx of armed men roaming the territory, as also to put an end to personal ambitions and rivalries. In 1992, the Yamoussoukro Accord had been considered a good basis for rapid peace-making: is it impossible to manage to put it into practice?  [More]

The Mediterranean Basin
Nor is the Mediterranean region exempt from strong tensions causing violence and death. I am thinking of the grave events which have affected Algeria, and the serious difficulties which are endangering the peace process in the Middle East, begun just over a year ago in Madrid. Since fresh violence and armed interventions could compromise the efforts of dialogue and peace which have been made in recent months, to all those engaged in the process I renew my appeal to renounce acts of force and a fait accompli policy. In this way it will be easier to progress along the path of peace, thanks to negotiation and sincere and trusting dialogue, in order to go beyond the stage of mere meetings. A new climate of respect and understanding is proving more than ever needed in this part of the world.  [More]

The Humiliation of Europe
But it is nearer to us. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, that war is exercising its ruthless brutality. Obviously I am thinking of the fratricidal battles in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The whole of Europe is being humiliated by them. Its institutions are being ignored. All the peace efforts of recent years have been as it were destroyed. After the disaster of the two last World Wars which had originated in Europe, it had been agreed that States would never again take up arms and support their use in order to solve their internal or mutual differences. The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) has even worked out principles and a code of conduct, adopted by consensus by all the States taking part.  [More]

Poverty of Goods, Poverty of the Spirit
The other great trial affecting the life of peoples and hindering their development is poverty, both material and moral.  [More]

The Moral Dignity of the Human Person
Basically all problems of justice have as their main cause the fact that the person is not sufficiently respected, taken into consideration or loved for what he or she is. People must learn or learn anew to look at one another, to listen to one another, to walk together. That obviously presupposes that people share in common a minimum of human values, the recognition of which is able to motivate convergent choices.  [More]

Steps on the Hard Road to Civilization
That is why, with vigilance but also in solidarity with initiatives and advances which help man grow, the Church rejoices at everything which in recent months has represented a peaceful victory over violence and disorder.  [More]

In the Shadow of Columbus
In Latin America, again this year, the desire for regional dialogue has remained strong. The year 1992 was an important anniversary for the continent. Latin Americans recalled the great human and spiritual epic of discovery and evangelization, with its lights and shadows. They have become more aware of their immense moral capacities for meeting the challenges of the hour, in particular those of social justice. The Catholic Church, so strongly present in this part of the world, will continue to offer her specific cooperation by proclaiming "the truth of Christ which must enlighten minds and hearts by the active, tireless and public proclamation of Christian values," as I emphasized at the opening of the Fourth General Conference of the Latin America Episcopate on 12 October last in Santo Domingo. By so doing, the Catholic faithful and their Pastors will promote the moral renewal of the peoples of this vast continent, thus facilitating the construction of a more just and prosperous society with respect for their noble traditions.  [More]

Humanitarian Law
This broad survey of the international scene, which has become traditional in the framework of our annual meeting, has above all highlighted the fact that the very heart of international life in not so much States as man. Here we take note of what is doubtless one of the more significant developments of the law of nations during the twentieth century. The emergence of the individual is the basis of what is called "humanitarian law." There exist interests which transcend States: they are the interests of the human person, his rights. Today as in the past, despite the more or less compelling documents of international law, man and his needs unfortunately continue to be threatened, to such an extent that in recent months a new concept has emerged, that of "humanitarian intervention."  [More]

The Foundation of Happiness
Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, at this beginning of the year, amidst the clamor of arms and of events too often tragic, the angels' hymn on Christmas night still rings out: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!" All the greetings we exchange are summed up in this heavenly message. In this violent world, so ready to suspect and to strike, in which interests sometimes seem to stifle the most generous aspirations, the Child in the crib of Bethlehem brings the sweetness of his innocence. He is the sign, offered to man, of God's infinite compassion!  [More]