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SKYLSTAD-BUSH Jun-29-2005 (570 words) With photo. xxxn
USCCB president seeks 'bold action' from Bush, U.S. at G-8 summit
By Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, asked President George W. Bush to "take bold action" on global poverty, international trade, climate change and the arms trade when he attends the Group of Eight summit July 6-8 in Scotland.
"The G-8 summit will explore many issues of critical importance to human life and dignity," Bishop Skylstad told Bush in a June 28 letter.
He thanked Bush for his previous commitments to Africa, but said, "We urge you to build on your strong record by working with your G-8 colleagues to adopt new initiatives in support of African efforts to break the cycle of poverty and achieve integral human development."
He pointed to recent U.S. support for debt cancellation benefiting the poorest countries; U.S. programs for combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis; and the Millennium Challenge Account, which offers greater development and trade aid to African nations that work to root out corruption and foster democracy.
"Replacing despair with hope in the African continent will lead to a more secure world for us all," Bishop Skylstad said.
"Aid and debt relief form part of a broader development agenda that must include progress toward a more just international trading system," he added, noting that one summit outcome should include "concrete steps toward eliminating trade-distorting agricultural subsidies and targeting farm support to small and medium-sized farms."
On the subject of climate change, Bishop Skylstad said, "While there are many technical aspects that need to be considered in addressing global climate change, we recognize our moral responsibility of stewardship. ... We urge that you give priority to further research on the possible impact of climate change on the poor, and the need for programs to help the poor adapt and mitigate the worst effects. An agreement on even modest efforts could help send a signal that the time has come to move forward."
Bishop Skylstad said the U.S. bishops have long been concerned about the arms trade; in a 1995 statement they condemned it as "a serious moral disorder in today's world."
"We commend your recent action with respect to the European Union's arms embargo on China," the bishop told Bush. "This summit provides the United States with a unique opportunity to effect positive change by leading the effort to enact strong lifesaving arms control measures."
In Canada, a similar letter was sent June 27 to Prime Minister Paul Martin by Bishop Blaise Morand of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, chairman of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops' Episcopal Commission for Social Affairs.
Bishop Morand asked Martin to "demonstrate Canadian leadership" in canceling international debt and in increasing Canada's overseas development assistance to 0.7 percent of Canada's gross national income.
Setting the 0.7 percent goal in advance of the summit, Bishop Morand said, "would set Canada on a welcome path to moral and political leadership in global development issues."
On debt relief issues, Bishop Morand noted that "another 40 impoverished nations are in dire need of debt cancellation."
"For Africa to emerge from the debt trap, this money" -- an estimated $12 billion a year in interest alone -- "is urgently needed for health care, potable water, education of the young and so many other social priorities that are much more pressing than payments to assuage the seemingly endless appetites of lenders," he said.
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Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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