The Archbishop of Westminster is among Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences of the G7 states to make a series of calls on leaders who will attend this week’s G7 summit in France.
In a joint statement titled Building Bridges for Peace, Justice and Human Dignity, Most Rev Richard Moth and his fellow signatories appeal for peace and respect for human dignity.
The appeal covers areas such as the need to respect international law, uphold the dignity of the person, lead in the pursuit of peace and reconciliation through dialogue, negotiation and mutual respect, and to collaborate in the fight against organised crime, human trafficking, illicit trade, corruption, and unlawful financial actions. They also encourage G7 states to promote education that facilitates dialogue and respect for religious and cultural differences.
After the recent publication of Pope Leo’s first encyclical letter, on preserving the human person in the age of artificial intelligence, the episcopal conference presidents call for the G7 leaders and technology companies to establish clear international rules so that new technologies serve the human person and the common good – particularly to protect children.
The presidents of the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and the United States conclude by turning their attention to migrants and refugees and environmental concerns. They 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,” and to “recall that migrants and refugees must always be received with dignity, while recognising the legitimate responsibility of states to safeguard the common good. Those forced to flee war, persecution, poverty or climate disasters cannot be regarded as a threat. They are our brothers and sisters in humanity.”
The 52nd G7 Summit is being held from 15 to 17 June in Évian-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie, France.