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St. Daniels Catholic Church

3004 Court Street Syracuse, NY 13208 Email: mailto:sdchurch@twcny.rr.com

Peter’s Pence Collection 2009

Works of the Holy See

On June 12, 2008, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, addressed the 62nd Session of the U.N. General Assembly’s high-level meeting on a comprehensive review of the progress achieved in realizing the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS.

Archbishop Migliore proceeded to give a summary of the Church’s commitment in the battle against AIDS.

“The Holy See, through the ‘Good Samaritan Foundation’, an organization founded for the purpose of giving immediate economic assistance to medical institutions, has provided approximately one half million dollars for the purchase of anti-retroviral medicine,” he said. “At the national level, the bishops’ conferences have developed and promoted greater awareness and programs to assist in the struggle against this pandemic, especially in developing countries and among the most marginalized populations.

“For example, in India alone, more than 100 centers that offer treatment, care and support to AIDS patients have been put in place. Soon, in addition to these institutions, another 45 centers will open in rural and isolated areas.  The bishops’ conference in the United States, through Catholic Relief Services, supports approximately 250 projects in the poorest countries, a figure that in 2007 amounted to over $120 million in assistance.

He continued: “At the international level, the Holy See through its various institutions is present in all continents of the world, providing education, treatment, care and support regardless of race, nationality or creed. With the assistance of 10,000 workers and volunteers, they have reached almost 4 million people with awareness-raising and life saving education programs.

“Further, they provide medical and nutritional care and support to almost 350,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and anti-retroviral treatment to over 90,000 men, women and children. One third of this assistance is provided completely free of charge.”

Archbishop Migliore added that the Church continues “to support greater access to affordable, reliable and life-saving HIV testing, anti-retroviral treatment, preventative mother-to-child drug regiments and diagnostic technologies such as CD4 testing devices. Along with access to basic health care and sustainable nutrition, these technological advancements can slowly close the gap between what is possible and what is necessary.”

“We come here today to review our progress, but more importantly, we must renew our commitment to taking necessary life-saving action,” the prelate concluded. “The Holy See and its various organizations remain committed to address this pandemic in a caring and compassionate manner in order to encourage greater solidarity for all members of our society and to promote the inherent dignity of the human person in all areas of life.”

- Zenit.org

“Cast the light of Christ upon the world.”