Bishops urge G7 nations to prioritise human dignity

Leaders from the seven global powers – the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Japan – are meeting for the annual G7 summit in France from June 15-17. G7 summits focus on issues of international cooperation among the powers.

On June 12, the presidents of the bishops’ conferences from the G7 nations issued a joint statement outlining their priorities. It refers to ongoing conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and wars in the Middle East, and emerging technology such as artificial intelligence.

“Amid armed conflict, geopolitical fragmentation, the crisis of multilateralism, growing inequalities, climate disruption and accelerating technological change, we affirm that the dignity of the human person must remain the foundation of political and economic governance,” the bishops wrote to the political leaders.

The bishops encouraged the nations to cooperate with one another on peace efforts and adhere to international laws, warning that geopolitical tensions are causing international order to erode and stating that international institutions like the G7 are “indispensable for preventing conflicts”.

Among the concerns listed by the bishops are the protecting of civilians and promoting justice among people. The G7 powers were urged to “strengthen . . . institutions so that they might better serve the global common good”. The bishops also emphasised safeguarding religious freedom and protecting religious minorities, families, prisoners of war and the displaced.

The bishops encouraged the G7 countries to work in solidarity with the Global South and also took issue with reductions in development assistance for developing countries.

The bishops wrote that G7 powers should assume a shared responsibility toward creation. This includes environmental concerns, such as climate change. The bishops urged joint efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emission and expand renewable energy. Such protection, they said, “is not only an environmental necessity but also a requirement of justice”.

The bishops noted that G7 countries bear “a particular responsibility for the global common good”.

FULL STORY

Bishops urge G7 powers to prioritize dignity of the human person, global peace at summit (By Tyler Arnold/EWTN News)