Covid-19: Holy See urges not
to abandon the most vulnerable
 |
| The Headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO), where the World Health Assembly (WHA) takes place |
Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič, Holy See’s Permanent
Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, addressed the 73rd World Health
Assembly, held online, May 18-19.
By Robin Gomes
As the world battles the Covid-19 pandemic, the Holy See is
reiterating the call of Pope Francis that the vulnerable in every part of the
world be not forgotten.
Health - primary common good
Addressing the 73rd World Health Assembly in Geneva,
Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič noted that the unprecedented situation of the
pandemic, “brings a new light on the interdependence between Nations, and in
particular, on the necessity to consider health as a primary common good, which
requires solidarity and coordinated action at the global level”.
The most vulnerable
He noted that the consequences of this crisis could trigger
further starvation and instability in many countries.
In this regard, he backed the call of Pope Francis that “the
most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters living in the cities and
peripheries of every part of the world, not be abandoned”.
Ceasefire, humanitarian routes, sanctions
Archbishop Jurkovič also lent strong support to the UN
Secretary General’s appeal for an “immediate global ceasefire in all corners of
the world.” This includes “ceasing all forms of hostility, promoting the
creation of humanitarian aid routes, openness to diplomacy, and attentiveness
to those who are in situations of great vulnerability.
Pope Francis has also called for international sanctions and
embargoes to be relaxed, allowing countries to provide adequate support to
their citizens.
The Holy See’s representative hoped the research motivated
by the COVID-19 pandemic will be conducted “in a transparent and disinterested
way, in order to find vaccines and treatments”, to which everyone in the world
can have access.
Efforts of Catholic Church, Holy See
Archbishop Jurkovič took the opportunity to make known to
World Health Assembly the commitment and effort of the Catholic Church
worldwide in providing basic healthcare and necessities, especially to the most
deprived, including during the Covid-19 emergency.
Across the world, he said, “some 5,000 Catholic-inspired
hospitals, and more than 16,000 Church-based dispensaries, are complementing
and reinforcing the efforts of governments to provide healthcare to all, by
assuring that the poorest and most marginalized persons do not lack basic
necessities … such as medicine and especially the possibility of adequate
health care.”
In many places, he continued, the Church has made its
facilities available to support the global response to the pandemic of Covid-19.
Besides, many religious orders, parishes and priests have been on the
frontlines, caring for those who have been infected and their families.
Besides pledging to contribute to the WHO Emergency Fund for
the supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to frontline medical workers,
the Holy See has also made various donations to regions in need of urgent help.
Pope Francis, the archbishop pointed out, has set up the
Vatican Covid-19 Commission and the Church has launched several projects to
bring help to those populations most affected by the pandemic.
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