By Vatican News staff writer

Addressing participants at the 2020 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mediterranean Conference on Tuesday, Monsignor Janusz Urbańczyk stressed the importance of an integral approach in tackling the challenges of security and development amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

The Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the OSCE said that security issues should always be addressed in a comprehensive manner, taking into consideration items such as “security, climate change, migration and the current economic and financial crisis exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Often, Msgr. Urbańczyk continued, “the level of economic growth of a country is the only factor considered in development.” However, he said, “the development we speak of cannot be restricted merely to economic growth.” For it to be authentic, “it must be well rounded; it must foster the development of each person and of the whole person.” 

The OSCE Conference was themed: “Promoting Security in the OSCE Mediterranean Region through Sustainable Development and Economic Growth.”

Integral development 

Echoing Pope Francis’ observation in the 2020 Encyclical letter Fratelli tutti, Msgr. Urbańczyk highlighted some economic rules that have proved effective for growth but not for integral human development. He notes that “wealth has increased, but together with inequality; with the result that ‘new forms of poverty are emerging’.”

Especially in these times marked by the wide-ranging effects of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, these new forms of poverty have not only exacerbated already existing poverties but have added new ones. Some of these include the limits of our health care systems, which are overwhelmed by the crisis; or the long-lasting consequences of the economic crisis; the lack of access to correct information and education; and the suffering caused by social isolation, increased violence, and distress.

“We cannot allow economics to be separated from human realities, nor development from the civilization in which it takes place,” said Msgr Urbańczyk. “What counts for us is the person – each individual, each community, and humanity as a whole.”

Women particularly affected

The pandemic has a disproportionate effect on women, Msgr. Urbańczyk noted. Many are impacted by a heavier workload, including telework, care, and domestic work; or by unpaid leaves and job losses, especially in the informal sector.

Highlighting the crucial role women play in the economy and society, the Monsignor stressed that “women must be recognized as dignified protagonists of their integral development,” adding that governments have the responsibility of protecting their dignity and providing them with a system of social safeguards and adequate compensation.

Inclusion of all

In light of the strong societal inequalities highlighted by the pandemic, Msgr. Urbańczyk recommended that the policies and tools put in place to respond to those in need be guided by two principles: the inclusion of all, and the protection of the sacredness of human life.

Although the pandemic is a test for individuals and society as a whole, Msgr. Urbańczyk concluded, “it also provides a real opportunity to seek new and innovative consensus-based solutions that are not divisive, politicized or partial, but that truly seek the common good and the integral human development of all.”

Vatican News staff writer

The Ivory Coast electoral commission announced Tuesday morning that Alassane Ouattara has won re-election to a third term as president of the west African nation.

Opposition groups immediately rejected the results, citing Ivory Coast’s constitution which sets a two-term limit on the presidency. The incumbent argued, however, that the approval of a new constitution in 2016 allowed him to restart his mandate.

According to the results announced Tuesday, Ouattara won with over 94% of the vote, with a turnout of 53.90% of voters. Leaders of opposition groups, which had called for a boycott of the election, said turnout was closer to 10%. They said they did not recognize an Ouattara victory, and would instead form a transitional council that would work on organising “a fair, transparent, and inclusive presidential election.”

International election observers had already noted on Monday that “a significant portion of the population did not vote,” compared to previous elections. A statement released by the observer mission carried out by The Carter Center and Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa added, “these problems threaten public acceptance of the results and the country’s cohesion.”

Disputes over the election and Ouattara’s candidacy led to violence prior to Saturday’s election, with at least 30 people killed. Violence also broke out on election day itself, with reports of five deaths.

Recent elections in Ivory Coast have led to widespread unrest, with a brief civil war following the election in 2010 that left more than 3000 people dead.

The streets of the capital, Abidjan, remained calm in the early morning hours after the results were announced but it was unknown whether that would hold.

The opposition on Monday night said that its call for civil disobedience was still in effect and told its supporters “to remain mobilized until the final victory.” The U.N. refugee agency reported that as of Tuesday more than 3,200 Ivorians had fled to Liberia, Ghana and Togo fearing post-electoral violence.

By Devin Watkins

Representatives of the Catholic Church in Indonesia, in particular from the West Papua province, have held talks with the country’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs.

The meeting was held on Sunday at Mr. Mahfud MD’s residence, and were aimed at discussing the various problems afflicting the restive province.

Present were Bishop Aloysius Murwito of Agats and Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi of Amboina, who is also the Apostolic Administrator of Merauke, along with Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, President of Indonesia’s Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The encounter came after reports emerged that the Indonesian National Army had shot dead a Catholic catechist on 26 October. He was suspected of belonging to a separatist movement. 

The murder took place in Jalae Village, Sugapa District, in West Papua’s Intan Jaya Regency.

Harmful effects

Bishop Mandagi told UCA News that the hour-long meeting was meant to address “various problems in Papua, especially violence.” 

Indonesia’s Bishops, he added, are concerned about the situation, though he said no specific cases were discussed. 

Rather, talks focused on the suffering wrought by violence, both on local civilians as well as on security forces.

Dialogue, not violence

Bishop Mandagi said he told Mr. Mahfud that expanded dialogue with the people of Papua could help ease tensions. The local Catholic Church, he added, was always open to discussions.

“Papuans are good people,” he said. “Everyone including military, police, and church workers who come to Papua must not look down on them. We all need to settle Papua’s problems with dialogue, by respecting Papuans and without violence.”

The Bishop said military interventions only serve to exacerbate tensions.

Long-running unrest

A separatist movement has simmered in Indonesia’s West Papua and Papua provinces since the late 1960s, when the region became part of Indonesia.

Papuans complain of human rights abuses and discrimination from government authorities.

Following the meeting with Church leaders, Mr. Mahfud said the government would engage in further dialogue with Bishops in West Papua and Papua, as well as with other religious leaders.

Bishop Mandagi expressed his hopes for the cessation of violence.

“We want Papua to become a land of love, not a war zone,” he said.

By Lydia O’Kane

It’s decision day in the United States. Following a divisive US election campaign, Americans are going to the polls Tuesday to choose their next President.

Both Republican Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden spent the last day before this ballot continuing to woo voters.

Trump did a whistle-stop tour of four states on Monday, while Presidential hopeful Joe Biden spent his last full day of campaigning in Ohio and Pennsylvania, telling voters that he was the man for the job.

Speaking to Americans late on Monday night in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Trump warned that his rival would move US jobs abroad. Biden, meanwhile, addressing supporters in Pittsburgh, said, “We’re done with the chaos, we’re done with the tweets, the anger, the hate, the failure, the irresponsibility.”

Communicating a message

Both men have rallied supporters, taken part in televised debates, and used social media to get their message across.

Fr Mike Russo is an Emmy Award-winning producer and former professor of Communications Studies at Saint Mary’s College of California. Speaking to Vatican Radio, he said the current president has used social media to his advantage and maybe “we’re not used to that kind of Chief Executive.”

Fr Russo added that even if Donald Trump ends up being a one-term president, “I think there will be copy cats following him afterwards, able to get into high office and continue that kind of day-to-day social media, I would call it combat, where everyone is susceptible to being brought down by a Tweet.”

Challenging times

This has been a campaign dominated by a number of key issues. Topping that list is the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 231,000 people in the United States and left millions unemployed. The country has also been rocked by protests over racial injustice against Black Americans and other minorities.

Noting that the US at present is facing challenging times, Fr Russo said moral leadership is something we need at all times.

“What is the role of a United States President?” he asked. “I’d particularly argue that there is this idea about bringing about cohesion … just as preaching is a leadership skill, so too is the role of the President of the United States … it’s a complicated role.”

In anticipation of possible protests several cities, such as New York and Washington, have begun boarding up buildings.

Votes and electoral college

Voters have already cast their ballots early in record-breaking numbers in this election –  more than 99 million, in fact, either in person or by mail.

Both candidates have focused their attention on twelve key states, nearly all states that President Trump won in 2016. They include Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Polls also predict tight races in Florida, North Carolina and Arizona.

In order to win the White House, 270 electoral votes are required. Joe Biden has held a steady lead in the popular vote in national polls. But Donald Trump is close in enough swing states to possibly amass the 270 state-by-state Electoral College votes needed to hold on to the presidency.