Nuncio calls for renewed emphasis on U.N. role in building peace

Published: 2005-05-10

UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- Archbishop Celestino Migliore appealed May 9 for a renewed emphasis on the role of the United Nations in building peace. The Vatican's U.N. nuncio said that although the world body now engages in many activities those "should not distract us from the sine qua non of this organization's existence, that is, peace among nations." The archbishop made the comments in an address to the General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York. The General Assembly proclaimed May 8 and 9 as "days of remembrance to pay tribute to all victims" of World War II, which ended in 1945. The war ended in Europe with the surrender of Germany on May 8, which is known as V-E Day; Japan surrendered to Allied forces on Aug. 15, which is called V-J Day. In his remarks, Archbishop Migliore called the conflict "the worst of several unnecessary, man-made global catastrophes that made the 20th century one of the most bitter that humanity has ever known."

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