Cardinal pleads for fair trade

BY TRACY-JO SMITH
THE SPIRITUAL leader of the Catholics of England and Wales has joined the international campaign for trade justice.
Cardinal Cormac MurphyO'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, has urged the British Government and European Union to ensure issues of trade justice receive top priprity in discussions at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) summit next month.
Flighlighting the campaign by Cafod and other overseas aid organisations in advance of the summit on September 10, in Cancun, Mexico, the Cardinal said wealthier nations had a duty of solidarity to the poor.
He said: "I am reminded of the words of Pope John Paul II in 2001 when he said 'a global world is essentially a world of solidarity'.
"Today one of the most powerful acts of solidarity we can show with the developing nations of our world is to stand firm behind the campaign for trade justice.
"1 would urge our government, and the European Union , to look very carefully and critically at the disparity between those who have and those who have not.
"The current trade imbalance between rich and poor countries contributes significantly to the plight of the millions in Africa, Asia and elsewhere who live lives of grinding poverty."
The Cardinal added: 'Whether it is the dumping of subsidised products into Third World markets, or the impact of policies such as our own Common Agricultural Policy here in Europe, the result is the same: the poorest people in the world are held in a cycle of poverty, dependence and despair.
"I would urge the Catholic community to engage fully in this vital debate. We have influence both as consumers and as electors and in these crucial weeks up to the WTO summit in Mexico we can ensure issues of Trade Justice and solidarity remain to the fore in political debate here in the UK.
"In England and Wales, Cafod has joined with other aid organisations to produce a range of campaign materials for those who wish to raise their concerns with their MP or the UK Government.
"These materials are available on the Cafod website and I would encourage anyone with an interest in these issues to contact Cafod or visit their website to find out what we as individuals and a community can do to contribute to the campaign."
The new director of Cafod,
Chris Bain, is to make his first public appearance in the West Midlands, at the launch of the Trade Justice Pilgrimage between Malvem and Worcester on Sunday September 14.
The pilgrimage will culminate with evensong at Worcester Cathedral, co-celebrated by Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Birmingham.
Meanwhile, the Holy See this week distanced itself from comments by a Vatican official which signalled support for genetically modified foods.
It said it was interested in any development that could help alleviate poverty and starvation, but said it was not not ready to give an unqualified "yes" to GM foods.
Archbishop Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said his office was organising a meeting of experts on agriculture, food technology and hunger to discuss the "scientific, ethical and humanitarian" aspects of GM food.
He said his position, and that Of the council, was unchanged since he attended a conference on food technology sponsored by the US
Department of Agriculture in June.
He said: "The problem of hunger in the world raises questions for the conscience of every person, particularly Christians. Therefore, the Catholic Church follows with particular interest and concern every scientific development which could help solve a drama which afflicts such a large portion of humanity."