Development & Peace


Bishops’ Message to G7 Leaders Calls for “Building Bridges for Peace, Justice and Human Dignity”

Ahead of the G7 Summit which took place from June 15 to 16 in France, the presidents of the Catholic Bishops’ conference of Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and the United States sent a message to their nations’ leaders. The following are highlights of the appeal:

1. Reaffirming multilateralism and the primacy of international law: We call upon G7 states to reaffirm their commitment to genuine multilateralism, grounded in international law, cooperation among nations, and respect for human dignity.

2. Placing the human person at the heart of development and international solidarity: We call upon G7 states to renew their commitment to international solidarity and to an equitable partnership with countries of the Global South.

3. Protecting children and young people in the digital age: We call upon G7 leaders and technology companies to establish clear international rules so that new technologies serve the human person and the common good. We also encourage G7 states to promote education in dialogue and respect for religious and cultural differences, and to embrace a pedagogy of joyful remembrance as a leaven for a peaceful future.

4. Assuming a shared responsibility towards creation and displaced peoples: We call upon G7 states to commit to bold and verifiable measures to accelerate a just ecological transition, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, expand renewable energy and support the most vulnerable countries in facing the consequences of climate change.

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Development and Peace

Caritas Canada

Pope Leo XIV released his very first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas or “Magnificent Humanity.” The encyclical headlines include a discussion of AI, the history of Catholic Social Teaching, peace and in this time of global instability the ever-present need for international development. The encyclical invites us all to celebrate and defend the gifts of human life in a world that more than not demonstrates little value for life and God’s creation. The following is a second excerpt from the encyclical provided by Development & Peace:

We Can All Do Our Part
#212. “At this point, however, a subtle temptation may emerge, namely the thought that the problems are too big and we are too small, and that our choices, therefore, cannot make a difference. This is a polite form of resignation, often disguised as realism. Certainly, not everyone has the same power to make a difference. There are those who govern, make investment decisions, lead institutions, conduct research, educate, produce or provide information, and then there are those who only seem to live their daily lives. Yet, no one is without responsibility. We all have our own areas for action, and it is precisely there — and nowhere else — that we must choose whether to fuel the mentality of force (even if only through indifference, cynicism, lies or hatred), or to preserve the mindset of peace (with truth, moderation, closeness and care).”

You can read more on the encyclical by clicking on the following link from the Development and Peace website: https://devp.org/en/magnifica-humanitas-pope-leo-xiv-encyclical/