The Pope sends a letter to the participants of the World Water Forum in Senegal. In his letter signed by Cardinal Parolin, he emphasized the right to drinking water and sanitation as the first, universal and fundamental right to build fraternity.
(Vatican News Network)The 9th World Water Forum was held in Dakar, the capital of Senegal from March 21 to 26. The theme of the forum was “Water Security for Peace and Development”. On this occasion, Pope Francis sent a letter to the participants. His letter was signed by Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, and read by Card. Michael Czerny, Interim Minister of the Holy See’s Ministry for the Promotion of Integral Human Development.
In his letter, the Pope said he accompanied the work of this international forum in prayer, wishing it an “opportunity for everyone to work together to realize everyone’s right to access to water and sanitation, and to make water a true sharing, A symbol of constructive dialogue and responsible promotion of lasting peace.”
Today, more than 2 billion people lack access to clean water and sanitation, a figure that should shock people’s consciences and prompt international leaders to take concrete action. The Pope reminded everyone of the consequences of not having access to water, especially for patients in medical centres, mothers, prisoners, refugees and displaced persons. Quoting the encyclical Laudato d’Or, he said that access to water is a “basic human right, because water is a necessary condition for human existence”. Furthermore, this right is closely related to “the right to life, which is rooted in the inalienable dignity of the human being”. The Pope also said that the world “has a heavy social debt to the poor who have no access to drinking water”.
In addition, the Pope reiterated that water is the grace of God and a common heritage that should be universal to all mankind. Water is largely transboundary, and the Pope invites countries to strengthen cooperation, “which will be a big step forward in promoting peace”. The Pope’s thoughts also turn to the Senegal, the Niger, the Nile… In these regions and their conditions, water awakens the need for brotherhood. In conclusion, the Pope said, managing water resources in a sustained manner and through institutions of effective solidarity is also a way of recognizing the grace that we are entrusted with to care for creation together.
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