Scottish Catholic Observer

The Vatican has told the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) that it must enhance its effort ‘to combat intolerance and discrimination, including against Muslims, Christians and members of other religions.’

OSCE is the world’s largest security-oriented intergovernmental organisation. Mgr Janusz S Urbanczyk (above), the Holy See’s permanent representative, told the group’s January meeting the Vatican urged better relationships between religions. He also said warned that ‘the entire world is facing global environmental deterioration.’

“Sadly, a relentless process of economic and social exclusion accompanies the abuse and destruction of the environment,” he added. “In this respect, Pope Francis has made an appeal: ‘The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development.’”

He also told delegates that freedom of expression in Europe was vital.

“The purpose of the Holy See’s presence in the CSCE/OSCE has always been, and continues to be, to protect the inherent dignity of all human persons, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,” he said. “We share your concern about freedom of expression, free media and information as we believe that ‘information is among the principal instruments of democratic participation.’”

At the same time, the Holy See is convinced that ‘the information provided by the media is at the service of the common good’ and that ‘society has a right to information based on truth, freedom, justice and solidarity.’

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