Holy See calls for United Nations reform as organisation turns 80

Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for the Relations with States and International Organisations at the Vatican, spoke at the general debate of the UN general assembly on September 29.

In a wide-ranging speech, Archbishop Gallagher noted the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. He said the Holy See “reaffirms the enduring importance of this institution and the significant good it has accomplished across numerous fronts”.

But the archbishop also mentioned “the limitations and shortcomings of the United Nations, as well as the growing crisis of credibility within the multilateral system”.

“There is an increasing general agreement in the international community on the need to reform this institution by rediscovering its foundation and adapting it to reflect the needs of the current era,” Archbishop Gallagher said.

“The Holy See calls for a recommitment to the original principles enshrined in the UN Charter, which remain as relevant today as ever. It is important to resist the temptation to replace these foundational commitments with new ideas or programmes that risk diluting the UN’s mission.

“Central to this mission is striking a balance between the four pillars of the United Nations: promoting of human rights, maintaining international peace and security, achieving sustainable development and upholding rule of law. The rule of law, in particular, is the sine qua non of a just international order, providing the foundation for all other efforts.”

Archbishop Gallagher also noted that more than “360 million Christians live in areas where they experience high levels of persecution or discrimination, with attacks on churches, homes and communities intensifying in recent years.

“Data shows that Christians are the most persecuted group globally, yet the international community seems to be turning a blind eye to their plight,” he said.

FULL STORY

Gallagher: Reform the UN to promote peace, development, and human rights (Vatican News)

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