General Assembly Archives

Solutions to save, protect forests needed ‘without delay,’ says cardinal

Amazon synod, Catholic News Service, Vatican
Sep 25, 2019

At a time of increasing urbanization, the “irreplaceable importance” of forests is being “taken for granted and underestimated,” the Vatican’s secretary of state said Sept. 23 at a high-level meeting at the United Nations.

UN Assembly remembers victims of violence against religion

Associated Press, Church in the US
May 29, 2019

The U.N. General Assembly has adopted a resolution designating Aug. 22 as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

Vatican foreign minister to UN: Church ‘committed’ to fighting sex abuse

Vatican
Oct 1, 2018

Speaking about the urgency of protecting children in global affairs, the Vatican foreign minister told the United Nations on Monday that the Catholic Church “is committed” to addressing the “heinous scourge of sexual abuse.”

Vatican gravely concerned about Palestinian refugees in Syria

Global Church
Nov 7, 2017

According to the United Nations, 418,000 Palestinians in Syria rely on humanitarian assistance – including cash, food and non-food items – to survive. Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations, said the Vatican is following the situation “with grave concern.”

Vatican diplomat calls on U.N. to pursue peace in world’s trouble spots

Catholic News Service, Global Church, Vatican
Sep 27, 2017

Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Vatican foreign minister, addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 25, calling for a renewed emphasis by all governments on the importance of protecting populations from “genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.”

Trump’s UN address reflects tensions of Catholic social teaching

Church, Church in the US, Global Church
Sep 20, 2017

President Trump received mixed reactions from Catholic leaders for his first address to the General Assembly of the United Nations on Tuesday. The president advocated for a limited refugee resettlement program, hinted at potential military action in Venezuela, and pledged to “totally destroy North Korea.”