Easier to Obtain Weapons Than Food?

The current lack of global arms regulations makes it easier to obtain weapons “than food, shelter and education,” said Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Vatican’s observer to the United Nations. Illicit arms trade has turned tensions into armed conflicts and has compromised peace and development, he said.

The archbishop said the Holy See “shares the grave concern of conflict-ridden countries” where illicit arms trade and production hinder the peaceful settlement of disputes and prolong conflicts.”

In his address to the U.N. Security Council on Nov. 19, the archbishop praised the U.N. General Assembly for adopting a resolution that spells out initial steps that need to be taken toward regulating the trade and transfer of arms. He said the General Assembly’s discussion of this issue was both timely and vital and was also something the Holy See “fully supports and encourages.”

Anticipating the observance of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the president of Caritas Internationalis urged greater efforts from governments and from medical experts in caring for children with H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS. Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, president of the international organization of national Catholic charities, said that while a third of H.I.V.-positive adults in the world have access to antiretroviral drugs so they can live longer and better lives, “only 15 percent of children living with H.I.V. get these essential drugs. Many die before their second birthday.” He said, “Pharmaceutical companies and governments must show leadership by developing child-friendly medicine for H.I.V. and improving testing.” Cardinal Rodríguez said children will be the key focus of the 162 Caritas member organizations in 2009.

More Efforts Needed for Children With AIDS

Anticipating the observance of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the president of Caritas Internationalis urged greater efforts from governments and from medical experts in caring for children with H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS. Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, president of the international organization of national Catholic charities, said that while a third of H.I.V.-positive adults in the world have access to antiretroviral drugs so they can live longer and better lives, "only 15 percent of children living with H.I.V. get these essential drugs. Many die before their second birthday." He said, "Pharmaceutical companies and governments must show leadership by developing child-friendly medicine for H.I.V. and improving testing." Cardinal Rodríguez said children will be the key focus of the 162 Caritas member organizations in 2009.