Priest is Vatican rep at forum on issues affecting indigenous people

Published: 2004-05-25

UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- Participants in the United Nations' recent Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues believe that spirituality is an important part of who the world's indigenous people are, said a priest who represented the Vatican at the meeting. Interviewed on the forum's last day, May 21, Maryknoll Father Richard M. Baker also said it provided a valuable occasion to bring together "people who share similar perspectives on their relation to nature and spirituality." He said the consensus in recognizing the spirit world was shown when they began several sessions with prayers, a highly unusual occurrence at U.N. meetings. The forum, held annually at U.N. headquarters in New York, began in 2002 as one result of the 1994-2004 International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, which followed up on a 1993 International Indigenous Year. Established by the U.N. Economic and Social Council, the forum submits recommendations that come out of its discussions to that body.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .