Faith Can Make Difference in Healing Wounds from Economic Hardship,

Says Secretary-General in Remarks at Church of the Holy Family

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the Church of the Holy Family in New York, today, 14 September:

I feel privileged to be here.  I am especially happy that we are meeting on the eve of the General Assembly, as we do every year on the eve of the General Assembly.  It is always heartening to join with you in a prayer for peace and prosperity just before leaders from around the world come to the United Nations to discuss how to achieve these goals.

Our tradition includes meeting in this magnificent Holy Family Church.  Some of you may know that the beautiful altar behind me is made of black granite that comes from near the Arctic Circle.  I mention this because I recently visited that very region.  The glaciers are melting at a frightening pace.  I was alarmed by the destruction and what it means for our common future.  And I became even more determined to push countries to seal a deal at the UN Climate Change Conference this December in Copenhagen.

Climate change is compounding the energy crisis, environmental disasters and the rampant hunger that afflicts more than a billion people.  At the same time, the financial crisis threatens progress on development.  And conflicts continue to rage around the world.

All countries are affected.  That means we can overcome these problems only when all countries are united and join forces in response.  Not just Governments, but civil society organizations, including religious groups and people of faith.

The unity we seek is in evidence here in this Church.  The Arctic black granite is complemented by Brazilian black granite, there on the west wall.  The statue of the Virgin in Saint Mary’s Garden was cast in Italy.  These and other multicultural features of this lovely sanctuary remind us that faith is a universal longing that can bring people together for peace and progress.

We need this force more than ever -- not least because today’s crises afflict us not only in material terms but also spiritually.  When a mother has to take her son out of school and send him to work; when a father loses his daughter to a preventable disease; when a family cannot afford enough food to eat; they get profoundly discouraged.  Many feel justifiable anger.  Others lose all hope for the future.

The United Nations is responding by working closely with countries in their efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals.  At a time when the impact of the global economic crisis is still unfolding, it is crucial that we keep up the momentum of efforts to cut poverty, hunger and disease, to promote literacy and protect the environment, and to build a global partnership.

Next year, we will hold a Millennium Development Goals summit to review progress and push for greater results.  But the United Nations alone cannot heal the wounds that families are suffering from economic hardship.  Here is where faith can make all the difference.  And religious groups also can help shape the policies that will meet people’s material needs, too.

That is why I am pleased to be with you again on the eve of another General Assembly session.  Over the next few weeks, the streets around this neighbourhood will be blocked off as leaders gather for the summits we are holding at the United Nations.  I apologize in advance for any inconvenience the community may experience.  I trust you all understand that we are not getting together just for the sake of meeting.  We are gathering to tackle the major problems confronting our world.

Next week, I will convene a summit meeting on climate change.  This will be a critical chance for countries to advance the process ahead of the December Conference.  Also next week, President [Barack] Obama of the United States will chair a special Security Council summit on non-proliferation and disarmament.  I welcome his leadership on this issue.  Parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty are preparing for a crucially important meeting next year, so now is the time to move with greater determination towards a nuclear-weapon-free world.  I will urge the Council to seize this momentum.

This year, the United Nations annual general debate will attract an impressive array of national leaders.  But I am not counting only on powerful countries.  I need all of you.  That is why I launched a campaign called “WMD” -- not weapons of mass destruction, but We Must Disarm -- WMD!  Because as long as weapons of mass destruction exist, no one is safe.  I appeal to all of you to support this campaign.  This year’s observance of the International Day of Peace, which we will mark just days from now, is also dedicated to this cause.

All of you can have an impact on disarmament, on climate and across our agenda.  The power of prayer is immeasurable.  The power of prayer for the United Nations is invaluable.  And your collective support is deeply inspiring.

With our faiths united, today’s prayer service can strengthen our ability to reach the United Nations life-saving goals, for the sake of our planet and all people.

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For information media • not an official record