Vatican 'foreign minister' applauds UN approval of development goals
September 28, 2015
The Vatican’s “foreign minister” praised UN officials for adopting goals for sustainable development, in a September 27 address to the international body.
Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States, said that the development agenda “could be effective and practical if it provides immediate access, on the part of all, to essential material goods and respect for one’s freedom to attain essential spiritual goods.”
“In adopting this Agenda, the international community has chosen solidarity over egoism,” the archbishop said. Archbishop Gallagher went on to stress the importance of family life in any plan for development. He said:
The family, the natural and fundamental unit of society, is the primary agent of sustainable development, and therefore the model of communion and solidarity among nations and international institutions. A shared concern for the family and its members is a sure contributor to poverty reduction, better outcomes for children, equality between girls and boys, women and men, as well as improved work-family-rest balance, and stronger intra- and inter-generational bonds. It would do us well not to forget the ample evidence that family-friendly policies-– including respect for religion and the right of parents to educate their children-– contribute effectively to the achievement of development goals, including the cultivation of peaceful societies.
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