Vatican’s UN Observer Promoted to Post in Rome

By C-FAM Staff | 2002

     (NEW YORK – C-FAM) Archbishop Renato Martino, the Vatican's Permanent Observer to the United Nations since 1986, a period often marked by contentious debates over the expanding UN social agenda, has been named the President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace by Pope John Paul II. The Pontifical Council, a prominent office of the Roman Curia, or governing structure of the Church, promotes the Church's social doctrines and works for the worldwide respect of human rights and the peaceful resolution of conflict.

     This new assignment is widely considered to be in recognition of Archbishop Martino's successful efforts to oppose UN policies aimed at fostering population control and abortion. During the 1990s, when much of the developed world, including the United States, the European Union and Canada, sought to establish abortion as an internationally recognized human right through the use of UN conferences, Archbishop Martino led the opposition to this strategy. At the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo, Egypt, one of the most pivotal moment in this struggle, the Holy See banded with Muslim countries to defeat attempts to proclaim abortion a human right.

     Under Archbishop Martino's direction, the Holy See was also responsible for establishing the First Principle of the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, that "Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature." Archbishop Martino introduced the principle to counter a widespread population-control mentality, and to remind the international community that all of its policies should respect human dignity.

     Because of such actions, Archbishop Martino and the Holy See have faced searing criticism. During a tense moment at the Cairo conference, US Vice President Al Gore angrily confronted Archbishop Martino, demanding that he rescind a statement. In 1999, Clare Short, United Kingdom Secretary of State for International Development, claimed that "The Holy See is an unholy alliance with reactionary forces deeply unholy…If it had its way, a million people would get the HIV virus, there would be more and more unwanted pregnancies, more and more illegal abortions, more and more mothers dying as a result of illegal abortions." "Catholics" for a Free Choice, a pro-abortion group, has even sought to revoke the Holy See's status at the United Nations.

     Others, however, praised Archbishop Martino on the news of his appointment. William Saunders, a senior fellow at Family Research Council, called Archbishop Martino "a real hero who stood nearly alone for years during the assault on life at the UN. He is a man with deep concern for human justice and true human rights. The dignity of women has had no greater defender than Archbishop Martino and the Holy See delegation." According to Tom Minnery, Vice President of Public Policy, Focus on the Family USA, "In the face of enormous opposition, Archbishop Martino has faithfully defended the sanctity of life, marriage and family at the United Nations. His presence at the UN will be missed."

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