(Vatican Radio) The Holy See has reacted to the “Concluding observations on the sixteenth to twenty-third periodic reports of Holy See” made by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The periodic report is required by the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, to which the Holy See is one of 177 signatories.
“What struck me, in particular, was the emphasis the members of the Commission stressed on the positive role of Pope Francis at this particular time, through the clarity with which he addresses the issue of discrimination and the way he speaks of the inclusion of all in society and the respect of every person,” said Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations offices in Geneva.
“Another positive aspect has been the recognition of the new legislation that the Vatican, as a state, has introduced which punish crimes based on racial discrimination,” Archbishop Tomasi said.
The Archbishop also said the recommendations of the Committee were made in a “constructive and positive” tone.
He did say the Committee overlooked certain things, such as the fact the Church educates 65 million people – the majority non-Catholic – around the world, and runs more than 5,000 hospitals.
“The millions of people who come for assistance are never asked for a passport, nor is there ever any consideration given to race or ethnicity,” Archbishop Tomasi told Vatican Radio.
The Committee also mentioned the genocide in Rwanda, and asked that every effort be made to locate those clergy members who may have participated, so that the can be brought to justice, and Archbishop Tomasi said there can be “no loopholes” for those who have committed these crimes.
“The Committee also pointed out that it is part of its responsibility to ensure that discrimination does not apply to new situations that gradually evolve in society,” Archbishop Tomasi said. “And on this we agree: there should not be discrimination against people, and every person should be respected, while taking into account that we have traditions and principles that sometimes are not compatible with those promoted by the international community.”
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